Sea otters will eat virtually anything they can get their little paws on. Male Otters are called boars, females are sows, and the offspring are pups. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. * Sea otters are a federally protected endangered species. Nowadays, sea otters are beloved due to their appearance and charismatic personalities. Learn where the otter lives, what they eat, what a group of otters is called, the names of various otter species and much more. Otters have to eat vast amounts of food every day, which takes up a significant portion of their time. We all know that sea otters are pretty darn adorable, but here are a few fun things you may not know about them: The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is rare, completely marine otter. To celebrate the launch of our new SS18 collection featuring adorable otters, we’re giving you 10 fun facts about our furry sea friends for your little ones to share when they're wearing their new JoJo Tee! Animals and Nature; Otters Sea otters are just as full of interesting characteristics as they are full of cuteness! Sea otters are the heaviest of the 13 otter species (giant otters are the longest). Learn 15 more facts about these fascinating mammals. The first sea otter was discovered by Georg Steller in 1751; Weighing as much as 99 lbs, the sea otter is the heaviest member of the weasel family; Sea Otters are the only marine mammal with out a layer of blubber; Sea Otters’ only marine predators are humans, great white sharks, and killer whales. Dense fur. Subscribe to Blog via Email The sea otter is one of the few mammal species on Earth to use a tool to help it hunt and feed. The northern sea otters can weigh as much as 100 pounds. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. Additional resources 1. The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammal species, but it is the heaviest member of the weasel family. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. Sea otters are very social animals that can live in groups made up of hundreds of individuals. 7 FUN FACTS ABOUT OTTERS! Cuteness! They have the thickest fur in the animal kingdom and are also the heaviest members in weasel family. Interesting Facts About the Sea Otter. Areas without sea otters have turned into ‘urchin barrens’ –areas with no kelp but hoards of sea urchins. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. Here are five fun facts you otter know: Sea otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom, with up to one million hairs per square inch of their body! Unlike their cousins in other otter subspecies, who only have to dive to the bottom of rivers, Not only are they cute, intelligent and resourceful, but. Heavy Drinker. Sea otter is the heaviest and the second smallest aquatic member of weasel family. You can read here many interesting sea otter facts for kids. Funny! What Do Sea Otters Eat? Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. The mother nurses her pups for about 3 to 6 months. Even a baby sea otter can stay warm on the open ocean, but they do need some help from their mothers. You can also get involved by becoming a member of Friends of the Sea Otter, donating money towards conservation work, or volunteering your time. 2. Approximately 90% of the world’s sea otter population lives in coastal Alaska. Sep 18, 2016 - Cute pictures and fun facts. The sea otter is the only species of otter that spends almost its whole life at sea, even though it rarely travels further than 1km (0.6miles) from the coast. However, the young sea otters may be killed by predators like killer whales, sea lions, great white sharks and bald eagles. They have very thick fur – near about 250,000 to one million hair per square inch. 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. Text STOP to 69866 to stop receiving messages. Sea otters use rocks to remove prey from their shells. 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. A female sea otter matures at the age of 3 to 4 years while the males reach maturity at 5 years. Sea otters are distributed across North America and Russia. They are known to eat clams, mussels, crabs, octopus, sea urchins, snails, and fat innkeeper worms. 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 fun facts you otter know: Our ocean faces many threats like the onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification. Don’t let these little furballs fool you—. Periodic messages. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. The female sea otters are smaller as they grow up to 4.7 feet in length and weigh up to 73 pounds. Its hind feet are webbed and flat so they work more like flippers. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing solutions to save our ocean. Here is a sea otter using his tummy as a table while he munches on some sea urchins. Learning Colors! Sea otters eat about 25% of their weight every day, and is arguably the number one cause in sea otter deaths, when they cannot forage enough food… This makes up for its lack of blubber in the cold Pacific water. In North America, they are found from Aleutian Islands to the Prince William Sound (IUCN Redlist). Interesting Facts About Sea Otters!Otters are known to hold hands in groups - while they eat, sleep and rest, to prevent families from losing each other The males of this subspecies weigh around 65 pounds while females are 45 pounds in weight. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are an easily recognized and beloved marine mammal. The International Fur Seal Treaty of 1911ended the commercial fur trade and saved the sea otter population from further decline. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. 11. 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. Holding hands: Sea otters occasionally hold hands while they eat, sleep or rest to keep from drifting apart. It’s key to their survival to eat such great quantities, especially for sea otters, as they use up so much energy keeping themselves warm. They spend almost their entire time in water. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. While the title of cutest animal ever may be up for debate, we know that sea otters are definitely in the running. (IUCN Redlist), Cookie Cutter Shark Facts for Kids – Cookie Cutter Shark Interesting Facts, Greenland Shark Facts for Kids – Greenland Shark Interesting Facts & Information, Megalodon Shark Facts for Kids – Megalodon Shark Facts and Information, Tasmanian Devil Facts for Kids – Fun Facts & Information, Wedge Tailed Eagle Facts for Kids – Australian Wedge Tailed Eagle Facts, Harpy Eagle Facts for Kids – Harpy Eagle Fun Facts. Then, in the 1700s and 1800s, hunters and fur traders killed so many that the population was devastated. They rebounded in the 20th century, and hopefully will continue to make progress in the 21st century. Their teeth are strong enough to crunch open a clam shell or bite through a sea urchin's spines. From feeding habits to ecosystem maintenance, sea otters are more than meets the eye. Their sleek, streamlined bodies are perfect for diving and swimming. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Otters are adorable and easy to love. Funny! Tool use is an unusual behavioral trait … Under their arms, Sea otters have built in pockets. At birth, the weight of a pup is 3 to 5 pounds. Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. Sea Otter FUN FACTS. Sea otters can spend their entire life in water. Guest Columns. They are definitely meat eaters. to hypothermia, and the possibility an otter could die. 1. In California, the weight of a female is 45 lbs and of a male otte… navajocodetalkersadmin on December 18, 2014 - 3:55 pm in Fun Facts for Kids. 1. Otter is a common name for a carnivorous mammal in the subfamily Lutrinae. OTTER FACTS FOR KIDS! The peak season for giving births is from May to June for the Alaskan sea otters while it is from January to March for the California sea otters. There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. It ranges from 250,000 to a million hairs per square inch, according to the Defenders of Wildlife. The length of a sea otter is four feet in California whereas in north sea, the height is slightly more than this. The sea otter population declined to approximately 2,000 individuals by 1911. Most sea otters measure less than 50 inches. Sea Otters lick and fluff their newborn for hours, causing their pup’s fur to retain enough air to act as a floatation device. Dense fur keeps the sea otter warm in the cold waters it lives in. Cuteness! It is native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Learning Colors! Fun Otter Facts for Kids. The Sea Otter is the only species that have a shorter and less muscular tail. Otters consume mainly fish but many people think that they eat plants and berries. Get ready for some awesome otter facts and photos. I recently found out that sea otters fall asleep holding paws and my heart has never been so full. They have furry bodies, whiskered faces, and a propensity to lay on their backs and float on the water, a behavior that humans perceive as evidence of fun-loving. Otters have to eat vast amounts of food every day, which takes up a significant portion of their time. Apart from these, they also tend to eat larger prey like giant octopuses and crabs. It has short tail and webbed-feet with retractable front claws. Sea otters have several adaptations that allow them to live in a marine environment. It wedges a rock between its chest and the “armpit” of a foreleg and pounds shells against it to open them up. They live in offshore forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), and spend most of their active time foraging below the canopy. Sea Otter Facts & Information Sea otters are members of the weasel family (Mustelidae). Let us discuss some of the most fascinating sea otter facts and information. Here are five fun facts you otter know: Sea otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom, with up to one million hairs per square inch of their body! Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Ocean Action Network, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance and Rippl are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. Hunted nearly to extinction by the fur trade, sea otters are endangered and currently exist in only a portion of their historic range. The giant otter is the longest of the otters, sometimes reaching 7 feet from nose to tail, and weighing up to 85 pounds, but sea otters are much stouter and large male sea otters in particular are bulkier and heavier than giant otters. Where Do Sea Otters Live? Mobile alerts from Ocean Conservancy. 7. The sea otter also hammers rocks against strongly gripping abalone shells to pry them off of rocks and feed on their tasty insides. Sea otters are from 1 to 1.5 meters (3.3 to 4.9 feet) in length and typically weigh between 14 and 45 kilograms (31 and 99 lb). / Fun Facts for Kids / 10 Sea Otter Facts For Kids. A sea otter’s pelt is the thickest of any mammal. Sea otters have been known to stay submerged for more than 5 minutes at a time. Jared Sellick Sun, October 28, 2018 12:36am URL: Embed: More Awesome Content! Description. The increased time underwater improves otters’ … Photo source: Wikipedia. The normal litter size of sea otters consists of only one pup. Fun facts about sea otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week. Sea otters are part of the weasel family. National Geographic: North American River Otter 3. Sea otters are the smallest marine mammal species. OTTER FACTS FOR KIDS! Incredibly this is fulfilled by drinking sea water! 1. Through to the large Giant otter and Sea otters who can reach 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and 45 kg (99.2 lb). Oct 24, 2018 - Explore Kristen Marie's board "Otter Facts", followed by 103 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about sea otter, otters, otter love. Its ears and nostrils are closed down in water. It can be fun to test out your knowledge as you go. We’re dedicated to working with indigenous communities, legislators, scientists and people like you to advocate for science-based solutions to protect this fragile ecosystem. They are definitely meat eaters. Males can weigh up to 70 lbs. They eat almost one-fourth of their own weight. Sea otters have thick underfur that traps air to form an insulating layer against the chilly waters (they have no insulating fat). Sea otters are just as full of interesting characteristics as they are full of cuteness! The otter is a carnivorous mammal in a branch of the weasel family called Lutrinae. The female sea otters are smaller as they grow up to 4.7 feet in length and weigh up to 73 pounds. 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. At birth, the weight of a pup is 3 to 5 pounds. All otter species appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and only one is listed as "least concern." When they come ashore, they are more vulnerable to predators like coyotes and brown bears. The sea otter is a well-known marine mammal with a historical range along the west coast of North America. Otter species range in size from the smallest Oriental small-clawed otter at 0.6 m (2 ft) and 1 kg (2.2 lb). Rather fittingly, these groups of sea otters are called rafts. Forget everything you thought you knew about otter species. How do sea otters stay warm in chilly waters? In fact, by the 1920s, the sea otter was at the brink of extinction — it was even thought to be extinct for a time. These include mussels, clams, sea urchins, snails, mollusks, crustaceans and bivalves. The sea otter can usually be found in kelp beds, and looks very much like lumps of kelp. The pups of California sea otters are nursed for about 6 to 8 months while those of Alaskan sea otters, this period is 4 to 12 months. The sea otter has long whiskers and water-repellent coat that insulates the animal from freezing water. 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. Otter groups go by a few different monikers, all of which are fairly unique to that crew. However, it is only once they were hunted nearly to extinction that we came to realize their value alive as a keystone species rather than a fur pelt. Sea otters use rocks to crack open shellfish and clams to eat. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as “endangered.” Their numbers were once close to 300,000, but hunters pursued them for their pelts. Following are a few other interesting facts you might not know about sea otters: 1) Sea otters are of the smallest marine mammals that are native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. 1. The giant otter is the longest of the otters, sometimes reaching 7 feet from nose to tail, and weighing up to 85 pounds, but sea otters are much stouter and large male sea otters in particular are bulkier and heavier than giant otters. After preparation, Sea Otters eat their food on the surface of the water, typically on their backs. Aug 29, 2019 - Explore Sammy Jo Reilly's board "Sea Otter Facts & Activities" on Pinterest. An otter’s lung capacity is 2.5 times greater than that of similar-sized land mammals. They prey on crustaceans by using pairs of rocks to crush the outer shells, easily accessing the soft flesh inside. Male Otters are called boars, females are sows, and the offspring are pups. Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. Jared and friends share with you the majesty that is the adventurous lives of the Sea Otters. 10 Sea Otter Facts For Kids. Sea Otter Lifespan: The lifespan of the male sea otters is about 10 to 15 years while the females live for about 15 to 20 years. A group of otters is called a romp. See more ideas about otters, sea otter, otter love. Share; Tweet; Email; By: Natasha Lehr. Sea otters mainly live in river basins. Cute! Baby otters, called pups or kittens, stay with their mothers until they’re up to a year old, or until she has another litter. My dear friend Sherry and I have bonded over otters in a big way. It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week!! However, it is not uncommon to have twins. It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week!! Sea otters are just as full of interesting characteristics as they are full of cuteness! A sea otter rests on its back with its head, arms and flippers in the air, and looks like two lumps close together. Fun Facts for Kids. Weight of otter depends on their breed. See more ideas about otter love, otters, sea otter. Sea otters are the smallest marine mammals and one of the largest species of otter in the world. The northern sea otters can weigh as much as 100 pounds. Generally, the male sea otters grows from 3.11 to 4.11 feet in length and weighs around 49 to 99 pounds. Mishka is an asthmatic otter who uses an inhaler. If otters fascinate you, below are some interesting otter facts. 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