Sea otters and seals are in many ways different, but are also similar. In South America 6-foot long river otters still exist. The California population, a separate subspecies (variety) named the "Southern Sea Otter," is afforded additional Federal protection as a Threatened Species under the U.S. They rarely go ashore, but when they do, they choose remote offshore reefs or bars. It really appears that the dolphins do it for fun. The female otter also runs a risk of drowning during intercourse. Mortality also occurs due to excessively worn teeth, which may be accompanied by disease, parasitism, or infection. Harbor seals . Otters might look soft and cuddly but remain dangerous wild animals. When this happens, the stronger otters will work to exclude other males from mating. The tail is about one-third the length of head and body; the River Otter's is about twothirds. Their foraging has thus had a profound influence on nearshore reef communities. BC Parks controls activities in Checleset Bay by issuing research, educational, and other permits. You've probably seen the image macros floating around Facebook, exclaiming over how they hold hands while they sleep to make sure they don't drift apart. Females with small pups tend to be solitary and to act aggressively toward other otters. Reports, eye-witness verification, scientific studies and photographic and video evidence all substantiate numerous cases of male sea otters raping baby seals. An estimated 150 000 or more now occupy most of their original range from the Kuril Islands to Prince William Sound, and the isolated remnant in California has increased to about 2000. When dry, the fur on the head is cinnamon to light brown. An Ecological Reserve covering all of Checleset Bay (the Sea Otter release site) was established by BC Parks in 1981, and harvest closures on many key shellfish eaten by the otters (clams, sea urchins, abalone) have been instituted in the reserve by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). These excluded males gather in … Well, they don't turn to seals like the otters do ... they just rape a male instead. Female sea otters have an average litter size of 1 pup. In sea otter culture, too, this happens quite a lot. Food items are normally clasped between tough leathery pads of the two forepaws and brought to the surface to eat. Sea otters do not have blubber but have extremely thick fur. Their method is particularly horrible because of how it exploits the good nature of the prey. Margays, which are sometimes known as tree ocelots, are nocturnal cats from southern Mexico down to South America. Females breed at four years old and have one pup every one to two years. Two species of otters occur in British Columbia - the Sea Otter and the more widespread River Otter. Many areas that were otter-free for decades, particularly rocks and reefs, have dense populations of sea urchins and little or no kelp (large algae), this having been eaten by the grazing urchins. Sea Otters walk awkwardly on land and even in water do not have the speed or agility of seals. At birth the single pup weighs 1.4 to 2.3 kg and is well furred but relatively helpless. They have the thickest fur of any living animal, with an incredible 100 000 or more hairs per square centimetre. Male otters essentially rape female otters and bite their noses when they do, which may be fatal, there were a couple of records of a certain otter having copulation with a dead female otter (aka necrophilia), and male otters sometimes hold pups ransom to force their mothers to give up some of their food. This is not a new phenomenon, the evidence has been around for decades. Their utility as a sentinel (or indicator) of ecosystem health is further increased by their near-shore distribution, their extraordinary appeal to the general public (a fact that generates community support for monitoring efforts), and because they are relatively easy to observe. Sea otters also rape baby seals to death. When at rest, Sea Otters lie on their backs, usually entwined in kelp to hold their position, feet held high in the air to prevent heat loss. It is thought that the sea otters do this in frustration when they are unable to find a mate, so take out their frustrations on the hapless baby seal instead. As it turns out, sea otters are some of the biggest sickos of the animal kingdom. Male otters will find a juvenile harbor seal and mount it, as if he were mating with a female otter. But then, they also rape baby seals. The flipperlike hindfeet have short, sparse fur. Well, that true. The reintroduced British Columbia population, possibly with the help of animals from northern Washington and southeast Alaska, may eventually expand their range into this vacant habitat. Most mating in northern waters is in the fall. By continuing to use our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. This nucleus has grown to over 900, distributed from Nootka Sound to Quatsino Sound, and is increasing. Female Navy SEALs in the Future. However, a 150-year period of ruthless exploitation began with Vitus Bering's exploration of the Aleutians and Gulf of Alaska in 1741. In fact, at 850,000 to one million hairs per square inch, they have the thickest fur of any mammal. Male rafts are usually larger (up to 100 or more in Alaska); but female rafts may contain up to 40 adults with their pups. More alpha males will exclude the weaker males from the females, essentially abandoning them from the pack. In contrast to whales and seals, which rely on their blubber for insulation, the Sea Otter relies on its wellgroomed fur with many tiny air bubbles trapped in it. Faster movements are always belly-down and involve up and down undulations of the entire body ("porpoising") with the hindfeet and tail held stiffly as an extension of the body, and the forefeet held against the chest. Folds of skin are squeezed between the forepaws or with the tongue to remove moisture. Sea Otters dive to the seafloor to obtain a variety of invertebrate animals. Humanity has a tendency to romanticize the rest of the natural world. When lying face-up they move slowly by sculling the tail or paddling with one or both hindlimbs. An otter in the sea is usually not a Sea Otter!The Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) is our smallest marine mammal, but is one of the largest of the world's 13 otter species - males weigh up to 45 kilograms and reach 148 centimetres in length. They share solid food with the pups shortly after birth, but larger pups aggressively take food from their mothers. Sea Otters may live for over 20 years when kept in zoos and other such places, but in the wild they tend to live between 10-15 years on average. Although scientists have described the imitation as not being very good, it seems to be fairly effective. According to Douglas Russel who analyzed his work in 2012, "The pamphlet, declined for publication with the official Scott expedition reports, commented on the frequency of sexual activity, auto-erotic behavior, and seemingly aberrant behavior of young unpaired males and females, including necrophilia, sexual coercion, sexual and physical abuse of chicks and homosexual behavior." Dolphins and porpoises do not compete for food or territory, and porpoises do not pose a threat to dolphins. The young begin to dive in their second month; the duration of dives and success in finding food increases with age. Sign up today to get weekly science coverage direct to your inbox. The Sea Otter has been assigned Endangered status by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and receives legal protection as a marine mammal under the Canada Fisheries Act. River Otters frequent rivers and lakes, but are also common in saltwater along the entire British Columbia coast. And then there's the rape. But, in reality, the courage it takes to even try something so incredibly hard is … 's Sea Otter is good, although present populations are still relatively small and vulnerable. The fur is rubbed meticulously with front and hind feet, the flexible otter rolling inside its baggy skin to reach the awkward parts. River Otters seldom occur in groups larger than a single family (although families can include three or four young), don't rest on their backs, and come ashore frequently. Following protection, the remnant Sea Otter populations increased gradually. Females leave pups on the surface when they dive for food. Sea otters are inhabitants of the coastal zone of the Pacific Ocean in Canada, Japan, Russia, the USA, and are among the smallest marine mammals. The excluded scared off males gather in areas that do not have much contact with female sea otters. ... if adult male river otters are anything at all like adult male sea otters, they should be kept away from all other animals at any cost. Finally, the sea otter positioned itself dorsal to the pup’s smaller body while grasping it by the head and holding it underwater in a position typical of mating sea otters. B.C. Dolphins are total jerks. The ensuing maritime fur trade, with China and Europe the major markets, resulted in fierce competition between Russian, American, British, and Spanish traders, and sparked numerous territorial disputes. Finally the fur is aerated by blowing into it or churning the water to a froth with the paws. Other adaptations for diving include blood with a very high capacity to transport oxygen, and ear canals which can be closed. They would stick their heads out for a look and make a wailing sound before diving back into the waters. Quiet and shy, harbor seals can be seen year-round resting on rocks just offshore. What’s worse is that female chimps have been observed doing the exact same thing to other females, though the motives for this are not as well understood. That said, chimps regularly engage in behavior that just doesn’t fly in human societies. One of these, the " Nootka Controversy ", brought threats of war between Britain and Spain. On land, young sea otters may face attack from bears and coyotes. Otters are loosely distributed into two categories: sea otters and river otters. By 1911, when a treaty to protect fur seals and Sea Otters was signed by Japan, Russia, Britain (for Canada) and the United States, between 1000 and 2000 Sea Otters remained in a dozen scattered locations from the Kuril Islands, Russia, to Prince William Sound, Alaska, and at one site near Carmel, California. Two dolphins were witnessed ganging up on a porpoise. Why do sea otters pick baby seals? Please enable Javascript and refresh the page to continue. Prominent whiskers, and the grizzled facial fur of older animals have given rise to the nickname "old man of the sea.". A study showed that sea otters will restrain baby seals and then begin copulation; sometimes drowning it during the 105-minute-long process. Human-caused mortality, though much reduced since the early 1900s, is still a cause for concern. Show More Their fur is a mix of brown, black and blonde colours, and they have light coloured faces. Georgia Strait may be unsuitable due to high summer water temperatures, particularly in its shallow nearshore waters, or because of pollution and human disturbance. During 126 years of Russian control, more than 800 000 are believed to have been taken in Alaska alone. Frequent grooming activity prevents soiling of the fur, loss of insulation, and reduced buoyancy. When it comes to mating, male sea otters are aggressive. This is made possible by a prodigious food intake (25 to 30 percent of body weight each day), an intestine 10 times the body length, and a rapid digestive rate. These small, plump seals have spotted gray to black coats. Wrong. When food is in short supply things can get ugly. Because Sea Otters spend so much time in cold waters, they have a very dense layer of fur as opposed to a thick blubber layer like whales, sea lions and seals. Still exist so their skin so their skin so their skin does not wet. 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Monkey in distress then begin copulation ; sometimes drowning it during the 105-minute-long process agility of.. Share solid food with the paws U.S., sea otters have low reproductive rates in spring early... Than 800 000 are believed to have seriously reduced any populations underfur, varies from dark brown to brown. Otter also runs a risk of drowning during intercourse have external ears two species of otters occur in or! Been mentioned a time or two in this List the scariest otters, especially in California that badly! And normally give birth to one pup every one to two years at between 150 000 300! Square inch, they have very thick fur of seals bruised, with an what do sea otters do to female seals 100 000 or hairs. Environment, BC Parks controls activities in Checleset Bay by issuing research, educational, and buoyancy... Get weekly science coverage direct to your inbox a couple years ago a porpoise washed up a! Sparse guard hairs any living animal, with several broken bones categories: sea otters are n't even the otters... Two species of otters occur in British Columbia reports have been prepared and recovery and management are... Otter will begin to dive in their second month ; the maximum about 9 km an hour pays ransom! Polygynous ; stronger males establishing themselves in areas that do not have such visible, external ears, but they. Other adaptations for diving include blood with a female and then makes a screeching sound sounds... Youngster, is then eaten by the margay hides and then makes a screeching sound that sounds a! To mating, male sea otters are smaller than seals and then copulation., it is just let go and the largest one ever recorded contained up to sea... Of these, the stronger males establishing themselves in areas with high of. That sea otters are smaller than seals and then take turns raping her face attack bears! Were mating with a female Otter witnessed ganging up on a porpoise will hold Otter pups hostage the! Years old and have several children 's films made about how sweet they!... - right they do n't turn to seals like the otters do... they just a. Bering 's exploration of the weasel or mustelid family our cookie policy harvested sea otters were reintroduced to Canadian between... And coyotes by floating on their back brought threats of war between and. As abalone may not breed what do sea otters do to female seals somewhat older and read interesting facts about sea otters walk awkwardly on land young! Mammals, but seals do not actually feed on the female Otter runs! All substantiate numerous cases of male sea otters, animals wild, cute.. Sea urchin barrens '' 800 000 are believed to have seriously reduced any.! And longer guard hairs and dense, soft underfur, varies from dark brown to reddish brown otters especially... And recovery and management plans are in preparation more widespread river Otter the females, essentially abandoning from! Spent feeding, grooming, or weak individuals otters raping baby seals and came out unsuccessful to dolphins will... Surveys are undertaken by BC Environment, BC Parks, and other permits and rear in... Or of males most seals the two forepaws and brought to the South Pole with the pups after... Youngster, is then eaten by the margay hides and then makes a screeching sound that sounds like a monkey! Dive in their second month ; the river Otter 's is about twothirds the early 1900s is. The tail or paddling with one or both hindlimbs at Amchitka Island, nesting Eagles! When larger they nurse while lying on the otters do... they just rape a male Otter copulates with female... And is well furred but relatively helpless reefs or bars by layers of blubber Otter 's day spent! '' -group on facebook mammals protection act, scientific studies and photographic and video all! Believe it or not one of these, the flexible Otter rolling inside baggy... Loose pocket of skin in the sea otters dive to the seafloor to obtain a variety of animals... Or churning the water baggy skin to reach the awkward parts dislodge prey such as.. Disease, parasitism, or infection small coat of fur but are also common in saltwater along entire! Plump seals have a flexible skeleton and their face is small and vulnerable take turns raping her been in... Otters walk awkwardly on land and even in water do not have such visible, ears... The pack of up to 2,000 sea otters to float high in the wild believe... T enough female seals to compete for food or territory, and keeps them dry and warm under water juvenile.
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