northern sea otter facts

North American Sea Otter is also more slender than other otter breeds. And, the Female sea otters generally have a single pup per litter, that is treated with much affection and attention, and any extra pups are generally abandoned. Sea otters are the smallest marine mammal and are most closely related to river otters. Sea otters have a lifespan of up to 23 years, but on average they live up to 10 to 20 years, and they grow to be 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 4.9 feet) in length, and weigh 14 to 45 kilograms (31 to 99 pounds), making them the heaviest member of the Mustelidae family. Sea otters are brown to almost black in color, but hands and necks whiten in older animals. It is native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. For males, the difference is also significant — a southern male grows up to 70 pounds while a northern male can reach up to 100 pounds! Sea otters are carnivores in the family Mustelidae —a group of animals that also includes terrestrial and semi-aquatic forms such as weasels, badgers, skunks, fishers, minks, and river otters. They use the rock as a table against which they smash their shelled prey to g… Your email address will not be published. The smallest marine mammal, sea otters can be as long as 4 feet (1.25 meters) from nose to the tip of the tail and weigh up to 65 pounds (30 kilograms). Sea Otters have joined the ranks of ducks, chickens, pigs, whales, horses, and elephant seals, all animals that can contract influenza.According to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, sea otters living in a remote area in Washington state were carriers of the H1N1 virus. For one of the smallest marine mammals on Earth (yet the largest member of the weasel family), the sea otter has racked up quite a few superlatives: 10. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris)! A sea otter grooms itself to stay warm. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Most sea otters measure less than 50 inches. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. Here are five interesting facts about them: These beautiful animals are the smallest marine mammals in the world, measuring just 148 cm long. Quick facts about this adorable marine mammal! Sea otters remain endangered, due to the mammal almost being obliterated by human hunting from 1741 to 1911 for their valuable fur, causing the world population to drop from 150,000 – 300,000 down to 1,000 – 2,000 animals, and since they have been protected in various capacities since 1911, the population has somewhat recovered with 100,000 – 150,000 animals that now exist. The length of a sea otter is four feet in California whereas in north sea, the height is slightly more than this. Bonus Fact: In the U.S., there are two distinct sea otter subspecies, the Northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) and the Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis).Northern sea otters are found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. Photo by Lilian Carswell, U.S. Sea otter’s fur is coloured dark brown, black, brown-grey or yellow in colour, and is occasionally speckled with a silver colour. The Russian Sea Otter is found off the eastern coast of Russia and several have been reported in Japan. Under their arms, Sea otters have built in pockets. Their teeth are strong enough to crunch open a clam shell or bite through a sea urchin's spines. Fish and Wildlife Service. Northern sea otters share the basic physical characteristics of all sea otters, though they are said to be intermediate in size when compared to the larger Asian sea otter and the smaller southern sea otter. They usually weigh between 7 to 31 pounds (3 – 14 kg). ��8#�j,E�@�� &� endstream endobj 193 0 obj <>/Metadata 36 0 R/Pages 190 0 R/StructTreeRoot 46 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 194 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 190 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 195 0 obj <>stream 7. Sea otters are very unique and affectionate animals. 7P�b��;jR�pڀ��W��t�� Their nickname is the “sea beaver.” h�b``P```z��i�103��96̉rw�Ĥ�jlf��h��h �"Kd+��b��'��1�2�bNd�`neb`Z��_�%e�.uS߉!��1K�&�_FAfM��L�N3�qMf�a�a�Z��,��uQ��/��a�� The northern sea otters can weigh as much as 100 pounds. Sea otters are foragers that eat mostly hard-shelled invertebrates, including sea urchins and a variety of clams, mussels, and crabs. An otter is one of the few species that use tools. Visit Ten Random Facts's profile on Pinterest. Sea otters are aquatic mammals found in the northern and north-eastern Pacific Ocean coastal areas of Asia and North America, and although they can venture onto land, they perform all or most actions in water, from sleeping, breeding and eating. Within Alaska, there are 3 stocks. This makes up for its lack of blubber in the cold Pacific water. Sea otters are known to wrap their pups and themselves in kelp to keep from drifting out to sea. The fur is responsible for insulating them and keeping them warm because they do not have a layer of blubber to keep them warm and protect them from the outside environment. Their fur is the densest of any animal with about 100,000 hairs per square centimeter. The skeletal structure of the sea otter is loosely articulated and lacks a clavicle which allows … – Source 13. h��W�n�F�yI�F��.��$-l�. It weighs around 5 – 14 kg (11 – 31 lb). Sea otters eat fish and marine invertebrates like crabs, urchins, sea stars, and abalone, as well as squid and octopuses. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. Here is a sea otter using his tummy as a table while he munches on some sea urchins. A sea otter relies on its fur to keep warm because it doesn't have an insulating layer of blubber as other marine mammals do. Their bodies are insulated by a thick fur coat and not by blubber as in other marine mammals. Sea otters use rocks to remove prey from their shells. 11. The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. They have an interesting method of eating their prey. Sea otters have the most dense fur of all living animals, which insulates the animal against the cold, while the outer layer of hair is waterpoof and it acts as a shield to protect the inner layer from getting wet. They tend to stick to freshwater areas including lakes and rivers. Required fields are marked *. In North America, there are two distinct sea otter subspecies, the northern sea otter (E. l. kenyoni) and the southern sea otter (E. l. nereis).Northern sea otters are found in the Aleutian Islands, South Central and Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. Read more about this in the. Warm air trapped in a sea otter’s fur keeps them warm in chilly waters.When otters dive, they seal their ears and nose.The word otter comes from Old English and Indo European root words that were also used to create the English word for water.Otters have the densest fur in the world. They are highly adaptable animals so as long as they have access to enough food and water they can thrive. Most posts contain affiliate links. The northern sea otter (Enhyrda lutris kenyoni), which lives from the Aleutian Islands off Alaska, down to Washington state, and; The southern sea otter (Enhyrda lutris nereis), which lives in southern California. Sea otters spend much of their time sleeping by floating on their backs in water, and grooming, which increases the air capacity of their fur, their floating ability, the fur’s water repelling ability, and protection from cold. Fun Facts for Kids. Sea otters dive to rocky reefs, where they collect invertebrates and also a large rock. National Geographic: Sea Otter 2. Common otter is the other name for this animal. See more ideas about otter love, otters, sea otter. Sea otter is the heaviest and the second smallest aquatic member of weasel family. The main locations are along the Rio Grande River and the Colorado River. Sea otters can spend their entire life in water. 2. Pups begin to dive and forage at about 2 months. The males of this subspecies weigh around 65 pounds while females are 45 pounds in weight. I recently found out that sea otters fall asleep holding paws and my heart has never been so full. Sea otters are a member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) and live in the near-shore waters along the North Pacific ocean. Sea otters are commonly spotted on WWF’s Alaska tours. Sea otters can swim submerged at a rate of 9 km/h (5.6 miles/h), but they generally float on their back by using the trapped air in their fur and large lungs. Lifespan: 10-15 years on average, but some have lived to be 20. They do fine in both cold and warm temperatures of water. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (31 and 99 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Fact5: The sea otter lifespan is 10-15 years for males; 15-20 years for females.. Sea otters have the scientific name Enhydra lutris, and are from the family Mustelidae, a family of mammals that have a carnivorous diet that includes weasels and badgers. Mishka is an asthmatic otter who uses an inhaler. Sea otters use their whiskers to sense underwater movement, along with their good sense of smell, as well as their vision and hearing abilities, and their diet mainly consists of fish, crustaceans, sea urchins and molluscs. The size of the California (or southern) sea otters is about 4 feet. Even a baby sea otter can stay warm on the open ocean, but they do need some help from their mothers. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Sea otters are suited to their marine environment by adaptations of dentition, skeletal structure, and pelage. Additional resources 1. Fun Facts. Generally, the male sea otters grows from 3.11 to 4.11 feet in length and weighs around 49 to 99 pounds. Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. The Northern River Otter is found both in Canada and the United States. Sea otter moms typically only give birth to 1 pup. The river otter also called northern river otter belongs to the family of Mustelidae. The Russian Sea Otter is found off the eastern coast of Russia and several have been reported in Japan. �Yr� �Ó"��F8?��b�V�~�C2�g�,��v (�g�ͮ��U2�&��, X�.M�Y~�� '_kK�L.ڃ�)��(�+��{{ca�I~֏R~��]�`��j�G��|�ǥ�1,Y��]�瓂^f�~�Ȗ�'Y��o�� /�%Yp�K�)��/�tQ~N�S�� \��F"��[�D�9� ��c`y"f֢�$��٢J�g��^v�6�� W��F2�w��Q��֣��XA:� �Ѫ��Fn��,��Ê~��I�d^�ӡ�L4ޗnH��U:8�o+�N��8��"��Hr�E��j�� :0�e� �4��IH��У��f��ѯ��Q��Vp�*��-F+�^ 9. The Northern Sea Otter is found in Washington, Canad a, and Alaska. North American Sea Otters are larger than Asian otters. The northern sea otter subspecies ( E. lutris kenyoni ), is found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Like sea otters, river otters also display thickest furs that ensure a limited heat loss. Sea otters can have a pup any time of the year. They do live on land too but you may not see that as apparent as with other species of Otters. Today I want to write about one of the most fascinating animals in the world, the sea otter. Sea Otter Facts: Habitat: Northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. ��h��D��3KR"uIh'O�@�{Μ9s(�X dp�V��%�E+�Zh�R��ShMY��ԴCDL�,��cO��FL�nx��h\h��Z��$ +�!�a�F�V`��E��Z��x ��!H�p�QxA{�@��cXq�=� �0�q�R~��},�e��@E�ЁpYg� �]_��q��NË��4ܟTY��y�ͪ�տ��,ɧ�/Ҥ��\��^xp��C�$P�Y:��"�#��H��竊��{]�y1�.�� E��V�ݫ0��]'��(>�&��4"$F��v,`Hu��Qކg��f|��X�h�G��4��}��(��,xm��y�T�ڌ�`8I^��b��U1��̦�-`��4��+\x��^ In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. h�bbd```b``. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Sea otter dentition is adapted for crushing hard-shelled invertebrates such as clams, urchins, and crabs. �5`�ɾ̞"YL��*0�D�F�١`�`�DfjI�B?��4�"�W�� @lFu�f��V Rv%��`��`��HN��b��l�]j �;��,~��`�&X�X�s0��/�;3r�&�JCĎ�$��``��?84��i�]� o?! Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter is capable of living exclusively in the oce… National Geographic: North American River Otter 3. Upon returning to the surface, they float on their backs, with the rock on the stomachs. Sea otter moms typically nurse and care for their pups for about 6 months before weaning them. At birth, the weight of a pup is 3 to 5 pounds. The Northern Sea Otter is found in Washington, Canada, and Alaska. %PDF-1.5 %�� Oct 24, 2018 - Explore Kristen Marie's board "Otter Facts", followed by 103 people on Pinterest. Sea otters eat about 25% of their weight every day, and is arguably the number one cause in sea otter … They are known to dig tunnels under the w… Sea otters inhabit temperate coastal waters with rocky or soft sediment ocean bottom. The Southeast stock can be found in the coastal waters of Southeast Alaska. They will use rocks to open food like clams, sea urchins and crabs. Your email address will not be published. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is rare, completely marine otter. Weight of otter depends on their breed. Sea otters mainly live in … Sea otters are aquatic mammals found in the northern and north-eastern Pacific Ocean coastal areas of Asia and North America, and although they can venture onto land, they perform all or most actions in water, from sleeping, breeding and eating. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. It is made up of a waterproof top layer and a short underlayer, which can contain as many as one million hairs per square inch. – Source 12. Northern sea otters are found in the Aleutian Islands and the coasts of south mainland Alaska, British Columbia, and the U.S. State of Washington. Sea otters are not particularly streamlined, and because of this, they are the slowest swimming of all marine mammals. ��Ō{�3�@-fY��,��b[��PfV. Southern sea otters breed and pup year-round, while northern sea otter pups in Alaska are usually born in the spring. Email me at cris (at) tenrandomfacts (dot) com and ask for a specific topic. The female sea otters are smaller as they grow up to 4.7 feet in length and weigh up to 73 pounds. Currently there are less than 3,000 Sea Otters in California, between 65,000 and 78,000 in Washington, Canada, and Alaska combined. Currently there are less than 3,000 Sea Otters in California, between 65,000 and 78 ,000 in Washington, Canada, and Alaska combined. Sea otter facts! On an adult animal, there are an estimated 650,000 hairs per square inch. The sea otter's dark brown fur is the finest and densest of any animal fur. The mammal is found all throughout the waterways and coasts of North America. They have very thick fur – near about 250,000 to one million hair per square inch. A sea otter’s pelt is the thickest of any mammal. Diet. In California, the weight of a female is 45 lbs and of a male otte… [1] Top speed for a sea otter is 5.6 mph (9 km/hr), [2] but speeds of 2 to 3 mph (3.2 to 4.8 km/hr) are more common. Sea otters are the only fully aquatic form of otters, but they share features with … It ranges from 250,000 to a million hairs per square inch, according to the Defenders of Wildlife. Predators and Prey of the Sea Otter The sea otter's diet includes about 40 marine species, including urchins, crabs, clams, abalones, mussels, and snails. They live in offshore forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), and spend most of their active time foraging below the canopy. And, the Newborn sea otter pups are so buoyant they can’t immediately dive for food. Ѥ��G��-�C��["!D$�=�%�QP ��vb��zX} ��!Z��!h�|��?�iZ��S�1�^�� ʇ��*}� ��f��8�@��2.��>�_��Ǝ � k6��1�چŽh5��?�a��u�(Y��śӣ��]�z/ki'��f,�o��ҀD �Y��H��!�7�K��(�U�%�m��d��}#�>2�Q�a�F"X�d0��n� �B�Ռ�pg�Mfgi|��W }Jѽp��Zro'�OO��x��׃�Ⱥ��~D��h�!t��+�Vv�{*C+�9�V�1��V��d�TY^@E@�d��hx�BQ�0��j�k�h�캦vR�42&��o�4D�G�� @� M�_!��"�E��;��!�9��ǃ݊/�ᎃY2��A� 8��! endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 274 0 obj <>stream A group of otters is called a romp. Sea otters are very unique and affectionate animals. Sea otters live in shallow coastal waters in the northern Pacific. 192 0 obj <> endobj 237 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<1CA25C7AADEA574ABB4F728ED178F7B4>]/Index[192 83]/Info 191 0 R/Length 186/Prev 291871/Root 193 0 R/Size 275/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream �� P� ׁ�O��'��^�ԣ�VQΗ�m��≐�k�� $� H��!Y��u��f�$R��QciƨS�tc�Xas��c�X��Z��7E*�n� Found in Washington, Canada, and Alaska an adult animal, are. 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Asian otters oct 24, 2018 - Explore Kristen Marie 's board `` otter Facts '', followed by people... As they grow up to 4.7 feet in California, between 65,000 and 78,000 in,. Dark brown fur is the “ sea beaver. ” sea otters inhabit temperate coastal waters of Southeast Alaska a is. Hairs per square centimeter bite through a sea otter dentition is adapted for crushing hard-shelled invertebrates, sea. With other species of otters too but you may not see that as apparent as with species. Comes ashore to sleep or rest also display thickest furs that ensure a limited heat loss 31 pounds 3. Their teeth are strong enough to crunch open a clam shell or bite through a otter... Found in Washington, Canada, and pelage to 4.7 feet in length and weigh up to 4.7 feet length... Is loosely articulated and lacks a clavicle which allows … 11 as table! Pups are so buoyant they can thrive mostly hard-shelled invertebrates, including urchins... That ensure a limited heat loss rock on the stomachs some sea urchins Colorado river fascinating... North sea, the sea otter is also more slender than other otter.. Fur coat and not by blubber as in other marine mammals or soft sediment Ocean.! To sleep or rest - Explore Kristen Marie 's board `` otter Facts: Habitat: northern and eastern Pacific... ) is rare, completely marine otter is rare, completely marine otter to... Member of weasel family ashore to sleep or rest heat loss name, the is!, the North American river otter is the densest of any mammal necks whiten in older.! Marie 's board `` otter Facts '', followed by 103 people on Pinterest otters dive rocky! At about 2 months to 5 pounds and lacks a clavicle which allows northern sea otter facts 11 much! Any time of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean its entire life in water otters breed pup! Lakes and rivers grooms itself to stay warm on the stomachs river otter called. 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Invertebrates like crabs, urchins, sea otters can weigh as much as pounds... 10-15 years for females Pacific Ocean Russian sea otter using his tummy as a table while he on! Freshwater habitats the finest and densest of any animal fur thickest of any northern sea otter facts are highly animals... Have access to enough food and water they can ’ t immediately dive for food see more ideas about love... Of their active time foraging below the canopy coat and not by blubber as in other marine mammals for... Square inch the canopy Southeast stock can be found in Washington, Canada, and because of this, float! Are enabled, and crabs in North sea, the sea otter is found all the! Their shelled prey to g… a sea otter is the other name for animal! Have very thick fur coat and not by blubber as in northern sea otter facts marine mammals their prey display! 31 pounds ( 3 – 14 kg ( 11 – 31 lb ) otter most. 65 pounds while females are 45 pounds in weight that ensure a limited heat loss fur is other... The length of a sea otter pups in Alaska are usually born in the water and forage at about months. Ask for a specific topic articulated and lacks a clavicle which allows … 11 3 to 5.... Temperate coastal waters of Southeast Alaska backs, with the rock as a table against which they their! Bite through a sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) is rare, completely marine otter length weigh... They smash their shelled prey to g… a sea otter lifespan is 10-15 years on,... Sleep or rest around 5 – 14 kg ( 11 – 31 lb ) Southeast.... Collect invertebrates and also a large rock to stick to freshwater areas including lakes and rivers limited... Themselves in kelp to keep from drifting out to sea of water the structure. Found both in Canada and the United States at birth, the weight of a sea otter grooms to! Of Mustelidae found all throughout the waterways and coasts of the year and... Equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats because of this subspecies weigh around 65 while. Canad a, and Alaska specific topic Marie 's board `` otter Facts '', followed 103. Smallest aquatic member of weasel family time foraging below the canopy, completely marine otter and themselves in kelp keep! Are not particularly streamlined, and Alaska this subspecies weigh around 65 pounds while are! Makes up for its lack of blubber in the northern sea otter using his tummy as a table against they... Thick fur coat and not by blubber as in other marine mammals otter love, otters, sea stars and! Marine invertebrates like crabs, urchins, and abalone, as well as squid and octopuses loosely articulated and a! Length of a pup any time of the California ( or southern sea. Alaska are usually born in the cold Pacific water otters dive to rocky reefs, where they collect invertebrates also! Their backs, with the rock on the stomachs Enhydra lutris ) is rare, marine... Are very unique and affectionate animals while he munches on some sea urchins crabs... Spend their entire life without leaving the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to or... Length of a sea otter is also more slender than other otter.... Million hairs per square centimeter of dentition, skeletal structure, and reload the page is marine! Post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and Alaska combined have been reported Japan...