Table of Contents
What kind of species are otters?
Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of carnivorous mammals that includes skunks, weasels, wolverines, and badgers. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, yet the smallest marine mammal in North America.
How many species of sea otters are there?
13 species
Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and soft, dense fur. There are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean.
What is the genus and species of a sea otter?
Sea otters
Sea otter/Genus
What is the classification of a sea otter?
Mammal
Sea otter/Class
What’s the difference between sea otters and river otters?
First, sea otters are two to three times the size of river otters—and, when at the water’s surface, they float on their backs, while river otters swim belly down like most animals. Next, the tail of a sea otter is short and flattened; a river otter’s tail is long and pointed.
What is the scientific name of sea otters?
Enhydra lutris
Sea otter/Scientific names
What is the difference between a sea otter and a sea lion?
Sea lions are brown, bark loudly, “walk” on land using their large flippers and have visible ear flaps. Sea otters are smaller than seals and sea lions, have stubby front paws and rest by floating on their back.
How close can you get to sea otters?
50 feet
Getting too close to marine life can be stressful and harmful to the animal and its young. It’s also considered marine mammal harassment which is against the law. Please enjoy viewing wildlife from a safe and respectful distance of at least 50 feet. If their behavior changes, you’re too close.
How long do sea otters live?
15 – 20 yearsIn the wild
10 – 15 yearsIn the wild
Sea otter/Lifespan
What are some predators to otters?
Fast, agile swimmers with powerful jaws and sharp teeth, river otters have few natural predators when they are in the water. On land, however, they must be wary of predators such as bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, wolves, black bears and foxes.
What are the otters predators?
In the Arctic , killer whales often dine on sea otters, while in the Californian coast, great white sharks consume many otters each year. Other predators include sea lions in certain areas, as well as eagles, which eat otter pups.
How do sea otters sleep?
Sea otters often float at the water’s surface, lying on their backs in a posture of serene repose. They sleep this way, often gathered in groups. Otters sometimes float in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, in which they entangle themselves to provide anchorage in the swirling sea.
How long is sea otters?
The 13 species range in adult size from 0.6 to 1.8 m (2.0 to 5.9 ft) in length and 1 to 45 kg (2.2 to 99.2 lb) in weight. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species and the giant otter and sea otter are the largest.