Introduction to Otters. Male sea otters typically grasp the female from behind and bite her face, and this rough. Among fluffy kittens and puppies with big eyes, one of Earth's most adorable animals is frequently said to be the cuddly small otter. No permit is necessary; however . 7, no. 9. Nonetheless, it is another reminder that you should stay away from these vicious beasts. Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. Stephens, Tim. They eat 9 pounds of food each day. Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. "Living With Otters: River Otters." Some cultures even forbid eating the creatures and were offended when colonial Europeans began hunting the river otters and selling their furs. Interestingly, male otters have also been observed engaging in polygamous behavior, mating with multiple females during the breeding season. Weve mentioned these species worst behaviors, but did you know that there have been numerous reports of otters harming humans that they come in contact with? newsletter, the fight against catastrophic climate change. At Vox, we believe that everyone deserves access to information that helps them understand and shape the world they live in. "River Otter, Wildlife Note." That makes it about a thousand times more dense than human hair. 9 Amazing Facts About River Otters A male river otter, by comparison, would not exceed 30 pounds. At six months, the pups are released back into the wild with generally strong results. Fruit Fly Swarms Are Really Just Massive Orgies In California's Monterey Bay, where scientists observed otters trying to copulate with the week-old bodies of dead baby seals, there are far more male otters than females. That amount of calories is insane because that is three times what an average human needs. It shouldnt be surprising to learn that otters will force themselves on other animals. 5, 2020, p. 200141., doi:10.1098/rsos.200141. Sea otters, by contrast, nearly went extinct due to aggressive pelt hunting in the early part of the 20th century. Many species of river and sea otters are . River otters perform "scat dances" by stomping their hind feet and lifting their tail. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. While rare, injuries to humans caused by them can occur, particularly if they feel threatened or cornered. From their aggressive behavior to their complex social structures and potential impacts on ecosystems, these fascinating creatures demonstrate that the natural world is full of surprises, both delightful and disturbing. Amazing Facts about Otters | OneKindPlanet Animal Education & Facts River otters are not currently threatened, and are pervasive in Canada and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas in the US. They also use body language and scent marking to communicate ownership and boundaries. The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. Do not reproduce without permission. Female otters have a disproportionately higher mortality rate than males, and experts attribute this to their gruesome mating ritual. Conservation efforts are in place to protect and preserve these species, but more is needed to ensure their long-term survival. So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. Yes, youve read that right. Because of their high metabolic rates, as was already mentioned, these creatures require a lot of food and will use whatever methods are needed to get it. The researchers found four prior scientific publications documenting attacks, including one that reported a deadly otter attack in India. River otters dont breed until theyre at least five years old. Some Hold Hands While Sleeping. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. For the record, I'm not actually against attempts to save sea otters as a species. Sea otter, dolphin, and penguin behavior: Your favorite animals are jerks. Source: Scientific Reasons for B.S Things Our Bodies Do. Otters can have up to one million hairs per square inch. 6 Reasons Why Otters Are Evil #1 Otters are Voracious Carnivores This may not surprise those who know the animal well, but it's important to note that otters are carnivores. River otter | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. 6 Meanest Animals in the World (Disturbing Facts) Theories for what's behind the drop range widely, but the US Fish and Wildlife Survey's recovery plan for the species highlights predation, in particular from killer whales, as the most important factor behind the decline. This ancient religion considered otters to be the dogs of the river or sea and had strict rules forbidding the killing of otters. As a result, if you ever find yourself in proximity to an otter (river or sea), back off. Therefore, they are big on tools and will often use rocks to help crack into dinner. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. Komala - Generation VII. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts. Sea Otters Do Terrible Things To Baby Seals - The Awl Here's how biologists Heidi Pearson and Randall Davis describe it: A male approached a pup floating on the surface while its mother was diving for food. The sea otter must consume between 25 and 40 percent of its body weight daily, just to keep warm. While this may seem like a cooperative and selfless act, it can also involve more sinister elements. On top of that, pups have 11 of their own calls that they intersperse with "infant babbling." In the past, observers have usually set up telescopes on shore to try and monitor otters at sea. They live in intricate social structures, with a distinct hierarchy that dictates their interactions. Sea Otters as Keystone Species | A World Unseen: the diversity of life Dolphins For starters, male sea otters have been known to assault and even kill seal pups. Male otters have developed a bad habit of humping and fatally wounding baby seals in their desperation to mate, sometimes continuing to have sex with the seals up to a week after killing them.. Don't flush hazardous chemicals or cat litter. Tags To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner. They love to chow down! Within their social groups, otters exhibit a behavior known as alloparenting, where individuals other than the parents help raise the young. 5 Disturbing Facts About Sea Otters: They're Not as Cuddly as They Seem All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. But maybe the most disturbing fact about otters is that they are known to "mate" with deceased animals. In many places, it is illegal to keep them as pets due to their protected status and potential danger to humans. Harris cites another study that finds that about 11 percent of sea otters found dead on the California coast from 1998 to 2001 were killed, at least in part, by trauma associated with mating. Fun Otter Facts For Kids | Kidadl Uniquely Koala: 13 Weird Facts about Koalas The Koala Mom Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. Depending on how hungry they are and how much they have access to food, otters arent too picky with their meals! Sea otters cannot swim at all for their first month, despite being born in the open sea. However, in rare cases, otter attacks can result in more severe injuries, particularly if the victim is a child or elderly person. Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain." Unfortunately, it gets worse. These holts can be found along riverbanks, among tree roots, under branches, brush, or boulders. Generally, a group of otters on land will go by a romp, while a group hanging in the water is called a raft. Of the 13 species of otter, IUCN lists five as endangered, five as near-threatened, and two as vulnerable. Moreover, increased conservation efforts are needed in order to monitor population numbers, reduce polluting activities and stop activities that destroy their habitats. "Why are otters playful?" Skip to the end to watch the video. What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. Among the most notable calls: a "hum gradation" used to tell otters to change directions and a "Hah!" As a result of their rapid decline, many countries have enacted laws and regulations to protect sea otters. In particular, it is well known that sea otters will force themselves on baby seals. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." Like many animals, otters sometimes behave in ways that aren't exactly within the bounds of what humans would consider morally acceptable. March 28, 2023 by Wilson Singleton. They will also use hollows under trees or old rabbit holes. If a sea otter's fur becomes dirty, it has trouble absorbing the air needed to keep it warm. Since 1875 a study discovered that there have been 39 cases of anecdote attacks on humans announced in newspapers, and four recorded in scientific. Legend has it they save human lives on occasion: But there comes a point at which rational people have to put adorable hijinks aside and recognize otters for what they are: disease-ridden, murderous, necrophilic aqua-weasels whose treachery knows few bounds. These otters also have less webbing between their digits. Pretty wicked! With his curiosity, experience, and love for the natural world, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his writing. Do you think that seals are the only species that otters enjoy using? They have visible ears, swim belly down, use webbed feet to paddle, and move swiftly on land and water. First, male otters sometimes hold pups ransom to force their mothers to give up some of their food. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 2020. Otters are highly active creatures, and their meat-based diet gives them energy for all sorts of mischief. From blood-squirting lizards to deceivingly cute killer sea otters, there are plenty of creepy behaviours in the natural world, that far outdo the supernatural. The harbor seal moved toward the water with the sea otter following closely. But don't be deceived by the holding of hands and cheek rubbing sighted in photos used for posters, memes, and throw pillows, otters are still wild animals and can be harmful. That's right, the adorable mammals have been known to exhibit necrophilia, even with members of different species, such as baby seals. Instead, researchers learned, they are more likely to juggle rocks when hungry or bored. Facts About Otters | Live Science As this is a new development in biology, further research is needed to determine precisely how this species started to host the virus. Otters natural habitats are regularly disrupted or destroyed due to human activities, making it harder for them to survive. This impact on fisheries can be particularly significant in areas with already vulnerable fish populations, where otters predation can further destabilize the ecosystem. There has been an incident where an otter had tried to mate with a dog and killed it in the process. 5 Disturbing Facts About Sea Otters: They're Not as Cuddly as They Seem Rats invaded paradise. To be fair, the vast majority 77 percent of the attacks the researchers analyzed involved North American river otters, and none appear to have involved sea otters. In addition to their unexpected ferocity when defending their territory, they also exhibit unique territorial behavior. Cassidy, Josh. The fight to make it harder for landlords to evict their tenants, On Succession, Sisyphus rolls the rock uphill, Ecuadors political instability, explained, In Sudan, the US government finally begins evacuating its citizens. In both cases, the male was swimming, diving, guarding, and copulating with the carcass. The barbs on each hair strand hold in place the air bubbles that the otters blow into their pelts while groomingwhich they can spend up to five hours doing each day. It is known as the common otter or northern river otter. There has been at least one report of a male otter copulating and swimming with deceased female otters. Yes, they have natural predators such as large birds of prey, alligators, and crocodiles. Additionally, they can host parasites such as lungworms, which can infect domestic dogs and lead to respiratory issues. KQED. Langley, Liz. Additionally, some commercial fishing operations may see them as a direct threat to their livelihoods, leading to calls for population control or even eradication. When it comes to otters, educating people about their unique place in the environment and how their presence is essential for healthy ecosystems is key. But with their numbers hovering around just a few thousand, researchers have kept a close eye on the population and their studies have revealed an interesting social structure. There are so many cool facts about otters that it's no small wonder they've become a bit of an internet sensation. In fact, females havedisproportionately higher rates of fatality explained by the vicious mating ritual. The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. A decent share of the attacking otters have been rabid; in the '90s, 46 percent of otter attacks involved rabies, and in the '00s, 24 percent did. Otters have their cubs in underground dens called holts, which they dig themselves. Lets end this on a somewhat less disturbing note! It's been reported in primates like orangutans and chimpanzees, bottlenose.

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