The limbs are modified into flippers. Still, these mammals are very different from one another, and were going to show you the differences between a seal vs otter. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Welcome back to March Sadness, ClimateProgress educational bracket tournament of animals impacted by climate change and other environmental threats. Did you know that sea otters mate for life? I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. : Most all seal species are carnivorous. Privacy Policy. The gestation period for otters lasts between 60 to 86 days while the gestation period for seals lasts between 9 months to 12 months. Known as Pygoscelis adeliae to scientists, and as the Socially Awkward Penguin through memes, the Adlie penguin was one of the subjects that caught the attention of scientist George Murray Levick while he ventured to the South Pole with the 1910-13 Scott Antarctic Expedition. The Difference Between Asian Small-Clawed Otters And Sea Otters In this article, we will address all of these differences in detail, including their physicality and social behavior. River otters also can often be found on the banks of the river. What makes each species unique, and what are the signs that make each one recognizable? Difference Between Otter And Seal - Pulptastic River otters, despite their name, can be found in fresh and salt water. Adult sea otters may grow up to 5 feet in . River otters and sea otters might be similar in name, but these two different classifications and populations are actually quite different in many ways, in the same way dogs have different breeds. Its actually quite easy to understand the physical differences between sea otters and river otters once we understand that there is actually only one species of true sea otter. They are not very graceful on land because of their flippers, but they manage to move very well in the water. Among birds, parents under stress to provide for their offspring during rough years may boot eggs from their nests or kill some of their own chicks so that others might survive. Lastly, seals use blubber under their thick skin to keep them warm when they spend time in the water, but otters have dense, two-layered fur that keeps them insulated. And delphine sexual aggression isnt limited to members of their own kind. Sea otter, dolphin, and penguin behavior: Your favorite animals are jerks. They entirely depend on meat for survival. The species are either aquatic or semi-aquatic depending on the species. The ordeal must have been horrific for the seals. difference between sea otter and penguin - sexygeeks.be The average lifespan of a sea otter is twelve to fifteen years in the wild, but the average lifespan of a river otter is only nine to twelve years. As the smallest species of otter, they range in size from 4.4 to 11 pounds, with a body length of only 16 to 24 inches, which makes them half the length of a southern sea otter! difference between sea otter and penguin. There seems to be no crime too low for these penguins, he confided to his journal. Partially due to that, its believed to be the most endangered cetacean in the world, a category that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. However, we noticed a conundrum that many readers seem to get themselves into. At Rocky Shores you can explore a far Northwest world where land and ocean meet; where sea lions dive, seals splash and otters play. Both seals and otters can vary a great deal in their sizes owing to their various species. Otters mainly feed on invertebrates while seals mainly feed on fish. Sea Otters are a larger species of otter. Not to worry, friends. For as cute as they are while intertwining paws at an aquarium, frolicking among the wafting fronds of California kelp forests, or smashing sea urchins open with stones, some sea otters have developed the disturbing habit of humping and drowning baby seals. Their slow, quiet and sudden way. This is likely due to their respective sizes and predators in their environments, as sea otters grow much larger than river otters do. These are the major differences between seals and otters, and their unique qualities become even more prominent when you look closer at these two creatures. The North American River Otter has an average lifespan of 13 years in the wild, but up to 25 years in captivity. Sea otters are part of the weasel family. Their hind feet are webbed to aid in swimming, and their front toes are short and stiff. However, river otters can swim in saltwater if there is an ocean near their preferred river habitat. 2022 Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA. Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide. Without a doubt, dolphins are jerks. Whats the Difference Between a Dolphin and Shark? Sea otters must eat 20-25% of their body weight to maintain their body temperature. The most common seal in the Arctic, the ringed seal is the smallest of the seal species. Sea vs Penguin - What's the difference? | WikiDiff You Otter Know: The Difference Between Sea and River Otters Previously, Brian Switek has written about mammoth end-times, and how feathery, fluffy dinosaurs killed the brontosaurus. You might not be able to tell by looking at them, but river otters and sea otters have very different fur. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called "depravity" of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. YES! They are very different from other mammals that share the seals name or lineage. Who will make it to the next round for a chance at a feature story? The key differences between seals and otters are size, family, and their method of thermoregulation. And kelp forests are good at storing carbon: a study in 2012 found that the presence of otters helped carbon storage in North American kelp forests surge. Their swimming mechanisms are also a little different. This makes them very different animals, especially when you consider the fact that sea otters are the only members of their genus. 8 Difference Between Otter and Seal (With Table) Two out of those three species are now in decline. If you spot an otter in the Chesapeake Bay, it's a river otter, whereas if you spot one in Monterey Bay (especially in the water), the chances are high that it's a sea otter. The Knysna seahorse is extremely vulnerable to increases in water temperatures; in 1991, more than 3,000 were found dead after heavy rainfall resulted in higher than normal temperatures. I cant say I look forward to the day when scientists discover dolphin slurs. Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 Tax ID #23-7245152 Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. Another key difference between a river otter vs sea otter is their preferred locations and habitats. We shouldnt draw the curtains over the aspects of animal behavior that make us cringe, as Levick did when he coded some of his Adlie penguin notes in Greek and ultimately decided not to publish his findings. Sea otters spend the majority of their time in the ocean, while river otters spend their lives on land unless they need to hunt or travel elsewhere. Which would you like to know more about? Free shipping for many products! Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the Pacific Ocean, so they aren't spotted in areas like the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico. Taxonomically speaking, there is actually only one species of sea otter! They are also known as fin-footed mammals. In Antarctica, the Adlie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins flourished under warming that caused ice sheets to shrink. Not only do these two creatures have different habitats, but they have both evolved fur to best suit those habitats. : Feed on crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and abalone. Finally, river otters can dive to around 60 feet deep, whereas sea otters, remarkably, can dive to several hundred feet to forage for food. Sea otters are generally diurnal. While it may seem obvious at first, you may not know all of the differences between a river otter vs sea otter. In 2010, California Department of Fish and Game biologist Heather Harris and colleagues reported 19 individual cases of male sea otters trying to mate with, and often fatally injuring, harbor seal pups in the Monterey Bay, Calif. area between 2000 and 2002 alone. Heres a quick snapshot of just some of the otter and seal species size ranges: Asian Small Clawed Otters are the smallest species of otter. Sea otter | Animals | Monterey Bay Aquarium Strange as it may seem, mating is a relatively common cause of death for female sea otters as well. The former can reach up to 5.6 mph (9 kph) underwater, while the latter, in North America, has a maximum speed of 8.7 mph (14 kph). Thank you for reading! Lets dive in and get started! (In the concluding paragraphs of On the Origin of Species, he observed that this view of life contains grandeur and horror alike.) Wannabe mother primates may steal the baby of another and unintentionally starve that infant in a phenomenon called aunting to death. Dominant wild dogs may kill the offspring of subordinate members of the pack to make sure the alphas infants get the most food. Theyre found along coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean ranging from California to Russia, and spend a majority of their time swimming, eating, and sleeping in saltwater. are about 33 species in this family. They have the densest fur of all mammals at about 350,000 to 1,000,000 hairs per square inch. They are purely carnivorous and eat a hefty diet of fish, crabs, small caimans, and small anacondas. American Oceans, Quick Facts: Bioluminescence & What Causes It. And always keep in mind where youre looking if youre at the ocean, chances are youre looking at a sea otter as opposed to a river otter. It is a grave mistake to see the so-called depravity of penguins, dolphins, and otters in the same way as our own behavior. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. For example, sea otters are much larger than river otters in both length and weight. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. With this insight, you should have a better grasp as to what makes both river otters and sea otters special. Lets take a look and some similarities, and differences, between these two amazingly fascinating animals! All About Otters - Physical Characteristics | SeaWorld Parks This is primarily due to the difference in habitat, but sea otters and river otters have different diets. While they are both otters, river otters belong to the Lontra genus, while sea otters belong to the Enhydra genus. However, when you add seals that arent true seals to the mix, the presence of ears can be a confounding factor. With no power for the electric lights, the house was a sea of darkness. Seals are larger than otters on average, and the largest members of the species make otters look positively tiny. difference between sea otter and penguin. Georgia Aquarium, along with other zoos and aquariums, work tirelessly to educate and inspire guests, while providing our otters the best veterinary and nutritional care. The main feature that makes otters appear different from seals is the body size. 2. North American River Otter While sea otters are found in the sea, Asian small-clawed otters are found in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps.