disturbing facts about otters

Despite their innocent appearance, these animals are known for doing pretty disturbing stuff. Furthermore, their presence in an ecosystem can indicate a healthy and balanced environment, which can have positive implications for fishing and other industries. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. Pennsylvania Game Commission. Otters natural habitats are regularly disrupted or destroyed due to human activities, making it harder for them to survive. - Diving into the Science! Although they may be adorable and hold hands while traveling, dont forget how distressing and evil otters are. This frog will kill you with a single touch. European otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. Young pups are born helpless, and remain in the . Others, like the marine otters of South America, have had their numbers reduced because of poaching, as well as environmental concerns. Sea Otters Eat 25 Percent of Their Body Weight Every Day. Sea Otters Have the World's Thickest Fur, 20 Bizarre and Beautiful Starfish Species, 10 US Ecosystems Saved by Endangered Species, 12 Facts About Sea Otters for Sea Otter Awareness Week, How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters, Whats Killing Sea Otters? Forced interspecies sex. Females maintain the den and give birth to an average of two to three pups every year. Compared to river otters, sea otters have an average size of 39.6-49.3 in (100.5-125.2 cm), making both the animals similar in size. As this is a new development in biology, further research is needed to determine precisely how this species started to host the virus. Otters guide: how to identify and species facts | BBC Wildlife Magazine Regardless of the reasons behind this behavior, the impacts on the ecosystems are significant. River otters perform "scat dances" by stomping their hind feet and lifting their tail. 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. Additionally, education and awareness programs can play a role in preventing these conflicts. "River Otter, Wildlife Note." Rape or, as biologists usually call it, "forced copulation" is a disturbing fact of life in the animal kingdom. Here are 13 strange and terrifying facts about animals that'll send a shiver down your spine. Some otters even die after intercourse from trauma. Google Pay. As the sea otter thrust his pelvis, his penis was extruded and intromission was observed. A varied diet It's no surprise that otters love fish, but they're also partial to amphibians, turtles and crayfish. Aboard the St. Peter, Steller and other 18th-century explorers crash-landed on modern-day Bering Island after getting separated from its sister ship. However, even within these communal groups, otters still exhibit territorial behavior and establish dominance hierarchies, highlighting the importance of resource control in their survival. They eat up to 9 pounds of food in a day and their sharp teeth and powerful tail let them swim fast when they are hunting and can even confront caiman or other enormous, Giant river otters hunt in a group of nine and hunt together, and also store food, giving them the nickname "lobos de ro" or ", Smart Animals: Sea Otters Used Tools Even Before Dolphins and Humans Did, Study Says, Giant Otters Used to Be Fearsome Hunters in Ancient China, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Large Hail Threaten 15 Million Residents in Texas, Antarctica During Dinosaur Era Ravaged by Frequent Forest Fires [Study], Air Pollution Kills 1200 Children Yearly, European Study Says, $20k Reward Money Up For Finding Boat Operator Who Drove Over California Sea Lions in the Columbia River, Virtual Reality Reduces the Use of Sedatives During Surgery. A version of this story originally ran in 2015. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, disproportionately higher rates of fatality. Predatory behavior towards non-prey species can lead to imbalances in the food chain and can cause unintended consequences for other species in the ecosystem. They love to chow down! Prey shortages are very damaging due to high caloric needs. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The male of this species tends to be larger than the females. Otters Will Resort to Acute Behaviors Just to Get Some Food, In the Amazon, Giant Otters are the Second Largest and Most Capable Predator, Giant otters average a weight of around 75 pounds but some have been noticed to be over six feet long. In Alaska's Aleutian Islands, the species has seen a marked decline since the 1980s. Even if you find them otherwise adorable, otters' mating habits will no doubt make your stomach turn. 1. Otters are making themselves at home in UK cities UC Santa Cruz, 2014. Otters have long been admired for their playful antics and endearing appearance. Male otters' mating techniques are violent. When he's not writing or reading, Aleksandar can be found exploring the great outdoors with his trusty dog as a companion. you cant distinguish between healthy and infected otters, making them even more dangerous. Average Life Span In The Wild: 8 to 9 years. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. "A Keystone Species, The Sea Otter, Colonizes Glacier Bay." People love otters. During which time otters have adapted to live both on land and in water. Introduction to Otters - BioExpedition German zoologist and botanist Georg Wilhelm Steller was the first to scientifically describe numerous new animals on the 1741 explorative voyage from Russia. It may be tempting to try and pet the cute andfriendly otter, but one wrong move and you will be hurt. The sea otter and pup rolled violently in the water for approximately 15 min, while the pup struggled to free itself from the sea otters grasp. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. Dominant males often establish themselves as the head of a group, while subordinate males may attempt to challenge the leaders position. Their construction activities can lead to the erosion of riverbanks, the destruction of vegetation, and the alteration of water flow in the surrounding area. Some otters hold the female's heads underwater during intercourse to force submission. In the past, observers have usually set up telescopes on shore to try and monitor otters at sea. They move clumsily on land, paddle with their hind feet and tail, and are significantly bigger than most river otters, with some males weighing as much as 100 pounds. While the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies otters as vulnerable, they are considered endangered in some areas due to habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution. Stephens, Tim. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. Hairy-Nosed Otters Are a Lazarus Species, 9. For years, questions about sea otters' alleged propensity toward cross-species sexual violence have passed through Snopes' inbox. River Otter - Facts and Beyond | Biology Dictionary Among fluffy kittens and puppies with big eyes, one of Earth's most adorable animals is frequently said to be the cuddly small otter. Sampling along the coast of Washington State found more than 70 percent of otters there tested positive for H1N1. 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. Facts about River Otters talk about an animal, which can be found on the coasts or waterways of North America. Size: Head and body: 21.75 to 31.5 inches; tail: 11.75 to 19.75 inches. However, this behavior can also result in conflicts with rival males and female otters, further highlighting the complexities of otter social structures. They spend around five hours each day foraging. 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. Diving into the Science! River otters generally live along rivers, as their name implies, but they're also found near streams and lakes. Pretty wicked! That's right, the adorable mammals have been known to exhibit necrophilia, even with members of different species, such as baby seals. 5. If you thought that otters, like beavers, eat a plant-based diet, you are mistaken. Otter Facts To Prove Otters Are Actually Huge Jerks Males, in particular, are known to take a female otters food by threatening to kill her baby. They bite their female partner's face during copulation to keep her from slipping away, leaving her with substantial facial wounds. But some, particularly in present-day Canada and Alaska, viewed the river otter "with awe and dread" and associated the creatures with the undead and drowning. The behavior doesn't stop when the seals die from the trauma. Weve mentioned above that otters will try to mate not only with other otters but also with members of entirely different species, even if the other party is unwilling. Scientists Pinpoint Parasite Strain." Otters have a communal latrine area. Additionally, providing a variety of educational materials such as brochures that link otters to topics like freshwater ecosystems or climate change can have a powerful impact on how people understand conservation issues. Lets end this on a somewhat less disturbing note! They're merciless hellspawn who use their intellects for great evil. At 105 min into the encounter, the sea otter released the pup, now dead, and began grooming.You read that correctly. 5, 2020, p. 200141., doi:10.1098/rsos.200141. Otters can hold their breath for 3-4 minutes, closing their nostrils and ears to keep out water. Survival of the fittest is a tale as old as time. Swimming ability is further enhanced in most species by four webbed feet. Forced sex. We thought we knew turtles. This means you cant distinguish between healthy and infected otters, making them even more dangerous. "Hairy Nosed Otter." Once in the water, the sea otter gripped the harbor seals head with its forepaws and repeatedly bit it on the nose, causing a deep laceration. There are two layers of furan undercoat and then longer hairs that we can see. If weve learned anything until this point, otters are eviler than they seem. Sea otters, by contrast, nearly went extinct due to aggressive pelt hunting in the early part of the 20th century. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Otters are animals with thick fur that helps them float in the water; Otters often use rocks to crack open food; The male otter bites the female when they are breeding; While eating and resting otters often hold hands; Types of Otters. While this predatory behavior is a natural part of their existence, it can sometimes have detrimental effects on their ecosystems. River Otter Do Sea Otters Rape Baby Seals? | Snopes.com 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. Threats also include habitat degradation, pesticides, and pollution from mining. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. River otters have webbing between their toes to aid them as well. 2. 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. First, male otters sometimes hold pups ransom to force their mothers to give up some of their food. Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. What is otter personality? - KnowledgeBurrow.com During mating, male otters hold onto the female and bite her nose, sometimes even hard enough that blood starts gushing out and causes deep wounds. At six months, the pups are released back into the wild with generally strong results. Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. Additionally, if an otter approaches, it is important to maintain a safe distance and avoid feeding or interacting with the animal. Wisconsin River Otters It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by. 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.. With his curiosity, experience, and love for the natural world, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his writing. Yeah, that's right. Few animals play as adults, and otters are one of them. Wildlife managers must consider not only the direct impact of otter populations on ecosystems but also the indirect consequences of disease spread. "Giant Otter." Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts, What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like? Related Article:Giant Otters Used to Be Fearsome Hunters in Ancient China. The similarities between otters and . And I don't just mean in the way carnivorous species always are to their prey. It depends. Ten months later, this same male was observed with the carcass of another female sea otter. Scientists hypothesize that these seemingly counterproductive mating habits might be the result of a population imbalance. sea otters, Disturbing facts. How this animal can survive is a mystery. Sliding Behavior in Nearctic River Otters: Locomotion or Play? Zoroastrians would also hold ceremonies for otters found dead in the wild. One of the most disturbing facts about otters is their status on the endangered species act list. His articles have been mentioned by Wikipedia, USA Today, and HuffPost, among others. As a result of their rapid decline, many countries have enacted laws and regulations to protect sea otters. Otters may emigrate to find food in that case.

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disturbing facts about otters

disturbing facts about otters