Table of Contents
As already mentioned, sea otters and river otters are members of the weasel family which, perhaps surprisingly, also includes badgers, minks, wolverines, skunks, and, of course, weasels.
Otters and seals belong to two different families. As such they have many differences between them. Otters belong to the Mustelidae family, and seals belong to the Phocidae family. When otters have paws, seals have flippers.
Do otters have families?
Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among other animals.
Is there a difference between otters and sea otters?
Swimming Style Found in both saltwater and freshwater, a river otter lounges around riverbanks and swims with its belly down, keeping the majority of its body submerged below the water. Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land.
Do sea otters mate for life?
Aside from being quite social creatures, sea otters partner with one other mate for life. The monogamous couple forms a family group consisting of them and their offspring. They do everything together, including traveling, playing, and hunting.
Is it true that otters show their babies when in danger?
Yes you read that correctly. Otters show their babies when they are facing danger to make a predator feel compassion for them.
Are river otters more aggressive than sea otters?
Male and female adult river otters have separate dominance hierarchies, and although they tolerate each other they do not travel together. River otters are generally more territorial than sea otters, but they practice avoidance rather than confronting or challenging each other.
Do river otters travel in pairs?
They hunt singly or in pairs and although otters generally forage in water, they are equally at home on land, sometimes traveling between 10 and 18 miles (16 and 29 kilometers) in search of food. While river otters tend to live alone or in pairs, they often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior.