Some make waterslides to slide down into the water! Sea otters are found in the offshore environments and they come to the surface to forage. Let's find out about the description, size, lifespan, habitat and much more in Sea Otter Facts for Kids! Learning Colors! But the sea otterâs habitat is unique, as they only live in shallow coastal waters in the North Pacific ocean. Otters are part of the Mustelid family of animals which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels. Furry, playful and very, very smart, otters are beloved for their adorable antics and sweet appearance. Sea otters can stay underwater for 5 minutes, and river otters can hold their breath for even longer - 8 minutes! The males of this subspecies weigh around 65 pounds while females are 45 pounds in weight. The female sea otters are smaller as they grow up to 4.7 feet in length and weigh up to 73 pounds. The largest otter is the giant otter⦠â Source 12. They have a rich fur for which humans hunted them almost to extinction. google_ad_slot = "9761313702"; A raft is usually comprised of single-sex sea otters that can range from 10 to a hundred individuals. Otters prefer water bordered by woods and with wetlands, such as marshes, nearby. The North American river otter was one of the most hunted animals for its fur after Europeans arrived. Introduction to Otters. It has short tail and webbed-feet with retractable front claws. Otters live in a wide variety of watery locations, from the mighty Amazon to the heart of Singapore. Fun Facts for Kids. The Eurasian otter mainly eats fish. A group of otters are called a 'bevy', 'family', 'lodge', or 'romp', or, when in water the group is called a 'raft'. It can grow up to 2.4m (8ft) long from nose to tail. Otters are very playful animals and have been seen sliding down snowdrifts or mud banks on their bellies. A group of otters is called a romp. 1. The European otter (Lutra lutra) was common as recently as the 1950s, but became rare because of DDT pesticides, habitat loss and water pollution. Once they catch it, they bring it to the top of the water, where they eat it. The giant otter is the largest of all the otter species. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. They will eat any small animals and birds they can catch. Hunting of otters was also common. The otter is a very playful animal and are believe to take part in some activities just for the enjoyment. Their sleek, streamlined bodies are perfect for diving and swimming. Here are 16 Interesting Otter facts. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a type of otter. The European or Eurasian otter is often referred to as the common otter. At birth, the weight of a pup is 3 to 5 pounds. Otter is a common name for a carnivorous mammal in the subfamily Lutrinae. There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. There are many different kinds of otters. They stayed relatively common in parts of Scotland and Ireland, but numbers in England reached a low point in the 1980s. They live along the Pacific coast of North America. To help mark their habitat on land they will purposely leave droppings behind. They have very thick fur â near about 250,000 to one million hair per square inch. google_ad_width = 160; There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Because they spent so much time in cold water, they have to groom their fur often to stop themselves from freezing. Otters are animals that live near and around water. There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. Giant otters are endemic (live only there and nowhere else) for the South America, and they can be found in the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River systems. The European otter or Eurasian otter, are found in Europe, Asia, parts of North Africa and the British Isles. Sea otter is the heaviest and the second smallest aquatic member of weasel family. This makes them one of the few animals that use tools. They also leave their scent on plants to mark their territory. Sea Otter Facts For Kids. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are classified as marine mammals. Some otter species spend all their time in the water while others are land and water based animals. Its ears and nostrils are closed down in water. They frequently carry a rock in a pouch under their forearm. Some specimens weighing up to 54 kg (120 lb) are also recorded. 3 Otters have their cubs in underground dens called holts, which they dig themselves.They will also use hollows under trees or old rabbit holes. The otter is a carnivorous mammal in a branch of the weasel family called Lutrinae. The Giant otter is found in South America around the Amazon river basin. 1. Fun Facts for Kids. An otter's den is called a 'holt' or a 'couch'. Otters are great swimmers and divers. Otters are very playful animals and have been seen sliding down snowdrifts or mud banks on their bellies. They prefer slow-moving rivers, lakes, swamps and flooded forests during the rainy season. But some, particularly in present-day Canada and Alaska, viewed the river otter ⦠The coolest of all otter facts is that they use tools to crack open the shells of crabs and clams. Funny! âOtter Facts For Kidsâ This video is See Full Post They also love to play. River otters are just one species of the 13 species of otters found throughout the world, and they live to be about 8 years old in the wild. google_ad_slot = "5655995158"; VIDEO: OTTER FACTS FOR KIDS! References Otters are very protective of their little habitat though that they have created on land. Some otter species spend all their time in the water while others are land and water based animals. On they ground, they can run very fast. They have very soft, insulated underfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs. Sea Otter Facts For Kids | Top 20 Amazing Facts about Sea Otters Iâm bringing you all these and other useful sea otter facts for kids including sea otter diet, habitat, and reproduction. Generally, the male sea otters grows from 3.11 to 4.11 feet in length and weighs around 49 to 99 pounds. They are also very curious and like to investigate new things.Otters spend a good part of their day grooming themselves. These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic. Otter Facts and Information. Giant otter belongs to a family of carnivorous mammals called mustelid. The most common staple food of otters is fish. Some tribes consider the otter to be a lucky animal and a symbol of "loyalty and honesty." Otters prefer to live in bodies of water that are close to land offering them wetlands or the woods close by. It also included Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. The otter is a carnivorous mammal in a branch of the weasel family called Lutrinae. Sea Otters have joined the ranks of ducks, chickens, pigs, whales, horses, and elephant seals, all animals that can contract influenza.According to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, sea otters living in a remote area in Washington state were carriers of the H1N1 virus. If the animal has a hard shell, otters can use a rock as a tool to break open the shell. 1-5 Otter Facts 1. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry and warm under water. They stayed relatively common in parts of Scotland and Ireland, but numbers in England reached a low point in the 1980s. They use this to smash open shells. Most live on shorelines of freshwater rivers and lakes, but a few hunt along seaside coasts. Unlike most marine mammals, otters do not have a layer of insulating blubber. As predators that are near the top of the food chain, otters are hugely important for keeping their environments balanced. Otters are long and slim animals with four short legs that can be longer than a meter. They even love to live in swamp and marsh areas. River Otter Facts: Lesson for Kids | Study.com Who is shaped like a torpedo, has whiskers like a cat, and has webbed feet like a duck? They mainly eat fish but also frogs, crayfish and crabs, some species carry a rock to help smash open shellfish. Mishka is an asthmatic otter who uses an inhaler. Otter Facts: Hunting, Feeding, and Entertainment Otters are carnivores. They grow to 1.0 to 1.5 m (3.3 to 4.9 ft) in length and weigh 30 kg (66 lb). In these tales the smart kawauso often fool humans, kind of like a fox. Otters are very social creatures. The sea otter has long whiskers and water-repellent coat that insulates the animal from freezing water. google_ad_client = "pub-4643150179421087"; Otters are a popular animal in Japanese folklore where they are called "kawauso". Four of the main otter species include the European otter, the North American river otter, the Sea otter, and the Giant otter. They are also very vocal and communicate use a variety of calls. . Otters are long and slim animals with four short legs that can be longer than a meter. otter facts for kids sea otters 2. sea otters otters have 1.6. to 2.6. million hairs purr square inch. They are able to stay well hidden in these types of environments which makes them less like to fall victim to a variety of predators on land. Cuteness! google_ad_width = 728; Some specimens weighing up to 54 kg (120 lb) are also recorded. sea otters like to stay in groups. Much of their food is found in water. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Sea otters are incredibly clean and keep their waterproof coats in perfect condition. They come in many sizes. Size. Otters are aquatic (water-based) relatives of badgers and weasels. European otter. They keep the air topped up by blowing into the fur with their mouth. They dive in rivers, lakes and streams until they can find a suitable animal to eat, which they then chase. NatureMapping Animal Facts for Kids River Otter What they look like: The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps them warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. The otter is lithe and slender with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flat tail that helps propel it gracefully through water. Otters are playful and energetic. Sea Otter Facts For Kids Sea otter is the heaviest mustelid with the weight measuring at 22 â 45 kg (49 â 99 lb) in males; and the length measures around 1.2 â 1.5 m (3 ft 10 in to 4 ft 10 in). In the wild the otters are under threat from habitat destruction and pollution may be affecting food availability. An otter must consume 25% of its bodyweight in prey each day just to stay alive (for a 75 lb kid, thatâs 75 1/4 lb burgers!). /* sci facts 160 */ Sea otter is the heaviest mustelid with the weight measuring at 22 â 45 kg (49 â 99 lb) in males; and the length measures around 1.2 â 1.5 m (3 ft 10 in to 4 ft 10 in). They can die of hunger more quickly than most animals. google_ad_height = 600; Their fur is often brown at the top, and lighter underneath the Otter. The length of a sea otter is four feet in California whereas in north sea, the height is slightly more than this. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in ⦠Otter species range in size from the smallest Oriental small-clawed otter at 0.6 m (2 ft) and 1 kg (2.2 lb). Otters live on every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. The European otter (Lutra lutra) was common as recently as the 1950s, but became rare because of DDT pesticides, habitat loss and water pollution. Roadkill deaths are now happening more. If otters fascinate you, below are some interesting otter facts. Sea otters have also been hunted in large numbers for their fur. On average, an adult male California sea otter consumes over 4,000 calories daily. Hunting of otters was also common. Other foods include frogs, crabs, small mammals, birds, clams, urchins, shellfish, and crayfish. Amazing Facts About the Otter. Otters are very active hunters, spending many hours a day chasing prey through water or scouring the rivers and the sea bed. It is native to Eurasia. The fur is responsible for insulating them and keeping them warm because they do not have a layer of blubber to keep them warm and protect them from the outside environment. Through to the large Giant otter and Sea otters who can reach 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and 45 kg (99.2 lb). Lifespan: 10-15 years on average, but some have lived to be 20. An otter is one of the few species that use tools. Otter information, Habitat, Feeding, Anatomy, Reproduction, Predators Facts about Sea Otter, Giant Otter, European Otter, African Otter and River Otter. Sea otters wrap themselves in kelp or hold hands when sleeping to prevent drifting. There is a zoo in Japan that has tiny holes in the Otter enclosure allowing for people who visit the zoo to shake hands with the otters. Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait. Otters are now quite common, especially in the west of England. Read on and enjoy our interesting information about otters. google_ad_client = "pub-4643150179421087"; It's a river otter! Instead air is trapped in their fur which keeps them warm. Their nickname is the âsea beaver.â - Sourc 11. There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. Otters live in family groups and the parents have a strong pair bond. The size of the California (or southern) sea otters is about 4 feet. They have a rich fur for which humans hunted them almost to extinction. Otters live 8 to 9 years in the wilderness, and as many as 21 years when living with people. Each European otter within its territory of between 1 and 4 miles has fixed locations where it gets into and exits from the water, sunbathing, rolling and sliding about on "otter stairways". Some live near rivers, some in the sea (Sea Otters). Check out our awesome range of animal facts for kids and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom. Otters are carnivores; they must eat a lot of meat to live, so they spend 3 to 5 hours every day fishing and hunting. They have a thick fur coat that keeps them warm even in freezing water. An otter family will defend a territory and use scent to mark the territory boundaries. â Source 13. A group of otters is called a raft, according to the San Diego Zoo. Sea Otter Facts For Kids The nostrils and ears of sea otters close in the water. Learn where the otter lives, what they eat, what a group of otters is called, the names of various otter species and much more. They have a thick fur coat that keeps them warm even in freezing water. Otters have a slender body, a long neck, and short legs. Each European otter within its territory of between 1 and 4 miles has fixed locations where it gets into and exits from the water, sunbathing, rolling and sliding about on "otter stairways". Otters talk to other animals and otters with whistles, growls, chuckles and screams, as well as chirps, squeals, and some kinds of otters might even purr. In California, the weight of a female is 45 lbs and of a male otter is 65 l⦠June 26, 2018. iStock. It lives in the rivers and swamps of tropical South America, forming noisy family groups that often hunt together. Otter, any of 13â14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. sea otters live in kelp forests.Sea otters like to eat crab octopie but their favourite food is the spiny purple sea urchin.Sea otters like Check out our range of fun otter facts for kids. They eat fish, crayfish, crabs, and frogs. They donât tend to be territorial though when they are in the water. //-->, Science Kids © | Home | About | Topics | Experiments | Games | Facts | Quizzes | Projects | Lessons | Images | Videos | Privacy | Sitemap | Updated: Apr 11, 2020. Although once near extinction, they have begun to spread again, from remnant populations in California and Alaska. Also, their feet are webbed, which helps them swim. They have very soft, insulatedunderfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs. It is found in the rivers and coasts of Europe. A group of resting otters is called a raft. They are great swimmers and divers; they can stay underwater for 8 minutes. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry an⦠It is also found in many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. /* sci facts 728 */ 10 Otters like to stick together, so when they sleep they will wrap themselves in seaweed and float together in a group. Some kinds of otters live in groups, while others are almost always alone. Sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimeters of skin. You may not believe this but one of the otter facts for kids is that otters are masters in using stones to break open the shellfish. They eat fish, shellfish, and other water animals. A group of otters is called a "romp", because they play together and are energetic. Otter Sock Puppet! Cute! 4 Otters have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm and can close their ears and nose when swimming.Bubbles of air trapped in their fur give them a silvery appearance underwater. Sea otters spend approximately 9 to 12 hours foraging each day. They usually stay on all four legs, but they can stand up as well but they are expert swimmers and spend a lot of time in water. Mothers cuddle their young while floating on their backs and hold infants on their chests to nurse them. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are classified as marine mammals.They live along the Pacific coast of North America.Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait.It also included Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan.Sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimeters of skin. They are typically 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) long and weigh between 6.5 and 60 pounds (3 and 27 kilograms). They live in nests called holts. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. 16 Playful Facts About Otters. Sea otters are the only otters to give birth in the water. Sea Otter Facts: Habitat: Northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Two species are marine; the others live mostly in fresh water.
