River otters are common and of "least concern" in California, but are threatened or endangered in some other states . Tags By submitting your email, you agree to our, The case against otters: necrophiliac, serial-killing fur monsters of the sea, The secret delegate battle that will decide the 2024 Republican nominee, The Dark Brandonmeme and why the Biden campaign has embraced it explained. 28 . Sea Otters Eat 25 Percent of Their Body Weight Every Day. There has been at least one report of a male otter copulating and swimming with deceased female otters. A 2010 paper talked about 19 cases, including a particularly gruesome instance where a sea otter bit a pup's face, held it underwater, and copulated with it for over an hour until it died. 1. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated bodies, long tails, and. This suggests that the otters must first satisfy their nutritional needs before engaging in playful behaviors. River otters live primarily in freshwater, though they do swim and hunt in seawater. In one prior report on breeding-associated mortality, a tagged territorial male sea otter held a struggling female underwater until her body became limp and then copulated repeatedly with her carcass. What we didnt mention, though, is thatotters can infect humans with the H1N1 virus. Copyright 2023 NATURE WORLD NEWS All rights reserved. For example, the introduction of non-native otters to a region can lead to a decline in local fish populations, causing an imbalance in the food chain. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. Additionally, education and awareness programs can play a role in preventing these conflicts. Google Pay. 2 hours of sleep? Some cultures even forbid eating the creatures and were offended when colonial Europeans began hunting the river otters and selling their furs. A Eurasian river otter mother relaxes with with her two seven-month-old cubs on a shoreline in Shetland, U.K. Males, in particular, are known to take a female otters food by threatening to kill her baby. While these modifications are essential for otter survival, they can have negative consequences for other species that rely on the same habitat. His articles have been mentioned by Wikipedia, USA Today, and HuffPost, among others. How this animal can survive is a mystery. You keep hoping that. Otters are mammals of the subfamily Lutrinae, one of two subfamilies contained within the family Mustelidae. These holts can be found along riverbanks, among tree roots, under branches, brush, or boulders. Most females drown in this process. These furry creatures eat meat, such as fish, disproportionately higher rates of fatality. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. Most of us could spend an entire day scrolling through cute otter videos on social media. Sometimes, they will also force the females head underwater. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. Furthermore, the potential for disease transmission among otters and other species can complicate conservation efforts. As a result of their rapid decline, many countries have enacted laws and regulations to protect sea otters. That makes it about a thousand times more dense than human hair. Today you will find out some history facts that you may not have heard of before, and they come with a twist, as Redditor Doyouareisstupid asked, "What is the weirdest/most disturbing fact about our world's history that you know?" It's a perfect read for the spooky season we are now in because people have knowledge about some . It shouldnt be surprising to learn that otters will force themselves on other animals. Interestingly, they have been known to engage in communal living, particularly in areas with abundant food sources. Approximately that brutal. Over the course of a rough winter, he meticulously documented many species, and while some have since gone extinct (like a sea-cow he described that was hunted into extinction), the adorable otter was among his initial discoveries. A male river otter, by comparison, would not exceed 30 pounds. Some otters hold the female's heads underwater during intercourse to force submission. They mark their territory with scent glands located near their tails, communicating ownership and boundaries to other otters. They also use body language and scent marking to communicate ownership and boundaries. They involve the reintroduction of captive-bred adult otters into carefully selected and monitored habitats that offer suitable conditions such as prey availability, the presence of suitable dens for accommodation, predator presence, and levels of toxic pollutants. Webbed feet and powerful tails, which act like rudders, make otters strong swimmers. The area in the bay where the scientists observed the most otter-on-seal mating sessions was also where there was a high population of transient male otters, ones that, unlike more dominant males, don't have an established territory filled with potential mates. About 12-20 in (30-50 cm) can be dedicated to its long tail. Email: [emailprotected]. Skip to the end to watch the video. For example, they may harbor bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a disease that can cause severe illness in both animals and humans. Yes, youve read that right. Here are 13 strange and terrifying facts about animals that'll send a shiver down your spine. As the world becomes more and more polluted otter populations become more and more at risk. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hairy-nosed Otter, 2015, doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2015-2.rlts.t12421a21936999.en. So that aspect of otter sexuality isn't too unusual. It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by eating already dead creatures that might contaminate the water source if they were allowed to rot. "Asian Short-Clawed Otter." Unmasking the Dark Side of Otters: Surprising and Disturbing Facts. Perhaps the worst (alleged) method was called scaphism, in which a person was force-fed, and covered in, milk and honey, put in a swamp,. Otter families are usually limited to pups and their mothers, and these duos will spend most of their time either feeding or sleeping. As we delve deeper into their behavior and life in the wild, you may be surprised to learn that these seemingly adorable animals have a darker side. Otters love to eat shelled animals, like clams, but they aren't equipped with the strength to open their food without some help. In some cases, otters may consume invasive species that are harmful to the ecosystem, potentially benefiting the fishing industry in the long run. Theres no doubt that otters are cute animals. Otter "holts" are small underground dens where otters escape danger, take shelter, or raise their young. However, this behavior can also result in conflicts with rival males and female otters, further highlighting the complexities of otter social structures. They can also be called kits or kittens. The reasons behind this behavior are not entirely clear, but scientists believe it may be linked to the sea otters aggressive mating practices with females. While the governments of the US, Canada, Japan, and Russia signed a treaty banning the hunting of sea otters, it took the Endangered Species Act under which sea otters gained protection in 1977 for a recovery to begin in earnest. Moreover, sea otters have in at least some cases shown a willingness to attack primates, as in the case of the above sea otters in the Bronx Zoo, which killed a monkey with whom they shared an exhibit. Heres how paradise fought back. For example, otters have been known to kill and eat kittens, and they have also been known to attack and kill humans. It was thought that otters helped keep water purified by. 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. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. The forceful mating practices of otters also have implications for conservation efforts. Source: 14 Fascinating, Super-Disturbing Facts About The Human Body. 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. Otters have a communal latrine area. Most injuries caused by them are minor, consisting of bites and scratches that can lead to infections. Bodkin, J.L. I just think otters are jerks. In some cases, dominant otters may kidnap pups from subordinate members of the group, forcing them to provide care for the stolen young. It depends. They will also use hollows under trees or old rabbit holes. There are around 13 extant species, out of which some of them are aquatic, semiaquatic, and marine, and their diet mainly consists of fish and invertebrates. Absolutely, many gentle mammals are carnivores including your pet cat! "How to Tell the Difference Between Sea Otters and River Otters." Sea otters cannot swim at all for their first month, despite being born in the open sea. 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.. Otters impact on fisheries is a contentious issue that has led to tensions between conservationists and fishing communities. A river otter has a long, stream-lined body, short legs, and webbed feet. Nonetheless, it is another reminder that you should stay away from these vicious beasts. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Pretty wicked! It underscores the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wild animals and avoiding contact with their feces or bodily fluids, which can harbor disease-causing pathogens. Groenendijk, J., et al. 1. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. In the absence of females of their own kind, then, they turned their typical sexual responses toward the seals. "Living With Otters: River Otters." River otters perform "scat dances" by stomping their hind feet and lifting their tail. 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. Yes, as they build their dens, they can cause significant changes to their environment. The otters were examined in 2011 and none of the population showed any symptoms of the virus, but antibodies for the virus were discovered within 70 percent of 51 otters sampled. The other, Mustelinae, includes badgers, weasels, and ferrets, among other similar mammals. Yes, they can act as carriers for various parasites and pathogens, some of which can potentially infect other animals or even humans. Here are four essential facts about sea otters: They're the largest member of the weasel family Mustelidae, a family of fur-bearing mammals that includes everything from weasels to honey. They can also dive up to 300 feet in search of food. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, lodge, or a romp. "Hairy-nosed Otter." Otters also excrete something called anal jelly that contains secretions from anal glands and shed intestinal linings. Oops. This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. Most otters have sharp claws at the end of each toe, which helps them to grab prey. What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. As explained by the National Wildlife Foundation's Robyn Carmichael, sea otters frequently eat sea urchins, which in turn are known for eating massive amounts of kelp, which is very good at taking in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. With their furry faces and charming personalities, they have captured the hearts of many. How Stuff Works. Interestingly, otters dont get sick when they have the flu. Don't flush hazardous chemicals or cat litter. Either due to better reporting or to increased otter savagery, the numbers grew over the decades, from three in the 1980s to 13 in the 1990s to 17 in the 2000s. Otters have been known to guard and have sex with the bodies of their victims for up to seven days after they've died. The golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates . A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. Theyll keep baby otters underwater until females give them their food. For centuries, fisherman have been training otters to act as herders and chase large schools of fish into the nets. Rock juggling doesn't improve hunting skills or efficient extraction of meat from shells.