The pests can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 30 pounds. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. Preferably on one's lawn furniture or open garage? Thank you for solving this mystery. Please check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. Periodic messages. We have been seeing them (or one of them, can’t be sure) on the shore of Seneca Lake, of the Finger Lakes, New York. Awesome article, thanks! I'll share a video below, you can also find several on Youtube. If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, it’s a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that it’s a sea otter. The semi-aquatic river otter spends about 75% of its time on land and 25% in the water. The video is excellent, too. Read More about “What is interpretive planning?”…. They go wherever the fish are: ponds, lakes, rivers, lagoons, and right into the ocean whenever they want. While the females are similarly much smaller than the males at 10-20 pounds, male river otters only reach a maximum size of around 30 pounds. The … Adult otters measure 35 to 55 inches in length, about one-third of which is tail. I write about interpretation and visitor experience. A sea otter’s fur is denser than a river otter’s, but all species spend most of their time grooming their fur so it maintains its ability to insulate the animal in water. Here’s the little guy at the culvert, just after his three siblings have disappeared into it: Your writing style is engaging and entertaining. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Ocean Action Network, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance and Rippl are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. So glad you shared your otter escapade! Sleek fur and skinny profile. Like the other mustelids, river otters have long slender bodies with short legs. Are Otters Dangerous to Humans? However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. Students grades PreK–2 will learn about animals with fun, interactive lessons. He’s trying to climb up the pipe!”. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species have sharp claws. The oldest recorded otter reached around 12 years of age, but this is exceptional. The Onion once ran a wonderful headline: “Black lab has best day of his life for 862nd day in a row.” You could easily apply that to river otters. The gait of sea otters on land is somewhat clumsy, but river otters can sprint short distances at high speed. Have I mentioned how much I love otters? It may seem obvious, but if all else fails—the fastest way to tell what type of otter you’re observing is to examine its environment. Man, they know how to have fun. The otter has a long cylindrical body with a powerful tail, making it ideal for life in the water. In this part of the world, sea otters are found on the west side of Vancouver Island, never here in the Strait of Georgia. Our ocean faces many threats like the onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. Sleek fur and skinny profile. Habitat: Otters can be found beside rivers, streams and lakes, mostly in north and west England and Wales. River otters keep their young safe by their side and in dens that they build on riverbanks, while sea otter moms typically keep their pups nestled on their stomachs as they float until they are old enough to swim on their own. The face is broad, and the eyes protrude slightly. Thanks Don – great blog. Otters and Humans Relationship. Run easily on land. As their name suggests, sea otters live mainly near the sea, spending most of their time in the water. In contrast, the agile river otter is frequently ashore. more Meet a man whose roommates are a pair of river otters. Identification. An otter is any of the 13 living species of semiaquatic or aquatic mammals. The last little guy of the group was having a heck of a time getting into the culvert and was starting to get pretty stressed about being left behind by his siblings. Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the Pacific Ocean, so they aren’t spotted in areas like the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico. Short tail. Sea otters aren’t only heftier than river otters—their fur is also quite distinguishable. River otters live near rivers and other sources of fresh water. River otters are more petite. The river otter is adapted for both land and water with short legs, webbed toes, and a strong, flattened tail. Otters have five toes and the heel pad tends to be somewhat horseshoe shaped. River otters as a whole look quite similar to weasels. So when I’m out for a walk, just minding my own business enjoying the fall colours, and something fantastic happens, I tend to kick into explainer mode. River otter fur ranges from light to dark, rich brown. Are both types of otters in the same family? The German word for otter is "fischotter" which is a much more sensible name than "river otter." Text HELP to 69866 for more information. Tracks are usually at least 2cm wide (wider than your thumbprint). Msg & data rates may apply. All the other mammals that otters might be confused with don't snort like that. The otter is a member of the order Carnivora. Otters vs Beavers. Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. They are clumsy on land. Although both mammals and desired for their fur, there are unique differences between a river otter and sea otter. You can find many an otter not in a river. Text STOP to 69866 to stop receiving messages. Almost always swim in a dog paddle, almost never swim on their backs. Sea otters: Dark brown with a much lighter head. For that to occur though humans need to accept responsibility for what they have done over the course of time. Thanks again! Length: Adult river otters are about four to five and one-half feet long, including its 18-inch tail. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. Sea otters are twice the size of river otters, and are never far from the ocean. Burrows may be constructed in the bank or in submerged trees. – but our river systems still require extensive habitat management to restore them to a healthy level that can sustain fish stocks and wildlife. We were treated to a family of six river otters in the bay just off Second Beach in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Wait, let me explain: I have worked as an interpretive naturalist for a very long time, and I really love what I do. Otter spraints are messy smudges with a distinct, not unpleasant smell, and contain bones and fish scale remains. Observe a sea otter closely — then sway with a kelp forest in our Otter Spotters online course! We wonder how he or they survive, what they live on, etc. My name is Don Enright. Big, black, triangular “teddy bear” nose. Factors t… River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. If you’re on a river in the middle of the North American continent, far away from any seaboard: it’s a river otter. Thank you, it really was an amazing experience and I will definitely be back to see you guys and the Otters! Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 – Tax ID #23-7245152 – Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. River otters: Dark brown. Each is playful, curious and depends on water for it's food source. Females are about 25 percent smaller than males. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! Sea otters live in large colonies, but river otters tend to stay in small family groups. Otter fur is a rich, dark brown and is lighter on the … Learn how your comment data is processed. http://stanleyparkecology.ca/ai1ec_event/water-loving-otters-beavers-2/?instance_id=632. Meet a man whose roommates are a pair of river otters. I've not found any … One thing many people don’t realize is just how much larger sea otters are compared to river otters. As I filmed, I listened to the people’s reactions: “Oh look! They travelled the 125 feet from the back of our property in no time at all and in the 35 years I have lived here in west Vancouver I have never seen them in the creek or on the land. I'll be integrating your little tid bits into the Beavers and Otters walk I'm doing this Sunday in Stanley Park. Fluffy fur and husky profile. Many people don’t know the difference between sea otters and river otters — but, with a little info, you’ll be able to tell right away. I usually see them in beaver ponds, and they are found fishing several miles out in the ocean. Additionally, sea otters spend the vast majority of their lives in the water, while river otters spend most of theirs on land, venturing into the water for tasks like hunting for food and traveling. If an otter feels threatened, its heavy, muscular body and sharp claws are enough to overpower pets and small children. Give a sea otter gift package. Big, black, triangular “teddy bear” nose. Almost never found on land. That physique lends itself to a kind of slinky-like locomotion on land, and you can see a brief clip of it here. The video is awesome! Suitable habitat for river otters is any wetland that provides adjacent bank vegetation, burrow sites, and a food supply. Its height at the shoulder is about 10 inches. On the surface, at first glance, there may not seem like much of a difference between otters and beavers. Love your writing style. Almost always swim in a dog paddle, almost never swim on their backs. I am going to compare Otter vs Muskrat vs Beaver, There is misunderstanding in people, they call them with same name because they looks same in appearance. The ears appear large on its small flattened head. River otters also reach sexual maturity earlier and are typically able to reproduce sooner than sea otters. Nice write up Don! One of the rituals that river otters are known for is something called the "otter poop dance." You know, they really appear to love everything they do. The pool is heated, and the staff cannot be nicer. These two different animals have their key differences, but one thing is for sure: they’re all still otterly loveable wildlife all the same! Gerry Lunn Exactly except those that frequent bays… you know what those are called. River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. River otters are very messy eaters—but they really appear to love eating. Well hello Réjeanne! Today I saw two large river otters make their way past my house down the rock stairs, across the lawn and disappear into the raging creek at the bottom of our property. Also found along the west coast of Scotland. Long and sleek, it has short legs, webbed feet, and a long tapered tail. Fluffy fur and husky profile. There they were: our four young otters were at a drainage culvert, which they had discovered could be used to provide safe passage under the seawall, upward, under the road and into the forest. This gift package is filled with sea-otter-themed goodies from plushes to a documentary and more. Otters can be found in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. 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 have long, narrow bodies, with long tails and short legs. Not to worry, friends. They even have the adorable habit of floating on their backs, even while they’re eating, and have been known to hold hands with each other while sleeping so they don’t drift apart from their pals! If you look closely at river otters, you’ll notice that they have short, coarse fur made up of two layers: one for keeping them warm, and another ‘waterproof’ one outside of that. Yay! (and it isn’t going all that great at the moment, apparently), http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-otter-pups-1.1759310, http://stanleyparkecology.ca/ai1ec_event/water-loving-otters-beavers-2/?instance_id=632. Amazing as we are over a mile from the ocean. River otters (Lutra canadensis, Fig. Otters have more of a curved form in the water, with most of the body and tail riding just beneath the surface. Their tails are short and not as muscular as river otters. It’s a pretty logical assumption, isn’t it? The main difference is that with swimming river otters, you often just see the head and neck, not the full length of the body. Go further to know facts on Otter vs Beaver vs Muskrat comparison. Your email address will not be published. We have river otters in front of our place and they are such fun to watch, but why do they have to poop on land? Do Otters are land animals? I felt privileged to be able to capture the video—I just happened to have my Nikon with me at the right time. Sea otters: Dark brown with a much lighter head. It can be found off the central Californian coast, western Alaska and the Bering Sea. On average, river otters have two to three pups per litter with the pups going off on their own after about six months to a year. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. The late great Nyac, a survivor of the Exxon Valdez. Sea otters rarely venture on land, where their movements are awkward and clumsy. Whether you’re sailing the coast of the Pacific Northwest or hiking the riverbanks of West Virginia, you now have the tools to tell the difference between river otters and sea otters. If your community has stocked triploid grass carp, otters may remove them from the pond. I was just at dogbeach at Vanier Park and 5 “river otters” swam by, stopped to watch the idiot labradors, inluding mine, chasing balls. I’m a freelance interpretive planner and visitor experience advisor: I work collaboratively with parks, historic sites, museums, aquariums and other organizations to help bring their stories to life. Many residents regard otters as desirable animals because of … But instead, I held back and listened to the conversation, thinking back to ten years ago or so when I first saw river otters in the ocean. The fisher, tayra and martens are partially arboreal, while badgers are fossorial.A number of mustelids have aquatic lifestyles, ranging from semiaquatic minks and river otters to the fully aquatic sea otter.The sea otter is one of the few non-primate mammals known to use a tool while foraging. The onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification can defend against. 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