Otters

Otters are semi-aquatic mammals of nature and are known for their super swimming. They are very intelligent creatures. They hold each other’s hands and huddle to keep their body warm while sleeping. Otters look so adorable standing upside down in the water. People love them because of their intelligence, grace, and playful antics.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Mustelidae
Subfamily	Lutrinae

Species

In the Lutrinae family, seven genera are present that comprise the 13 species of otters. The North American river otter is the most abundant species in its location and is rarely found in the wild. Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest species while Giant otters are the longest member of the mustelid and largest in number around the world.

Species	Location
Giant otter( Pteronura brasiliensis)	Southern Asia
Smooth-coated otter(letrozole perspicillata)	Southern Asia
Sea otter(Enhydra lutrus)	North America
Speckle-throated otter(Hydrictis maculicollis)	sub-Saharan Africa
African small-clawed otter(Aonyx capensis)	sub-Saharan Africa
Congo clawless otter(Aonyx congius)	Southeast Asia
Small-clawed otter(Aonyx cinerea)	South America
Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra)	Eurasia
Hairy-nosed otter(Lutra sumatrana)	Africa
North American river otter(Lontra canadensis)	North America
Marine otter(Lontra felina)	South America
Neotropical otter(Lontra longicaudis)	South America
Southern river otter(Lontra provocax)	South America

Physical Characteristics

Size: The species of otters are tube shaped and vary in different sizes depending on habitats and species. Their adults are 2 to 5.9 feet long from head to tail, and females are 3 to 5.9 feet long.

Weight: They weigh between 15 to 100 pounds. On average, large males weigh up to 40 kg, and female otters typically weigh between 11 to 70 pounds.

Speed: In water, otters swim at a speed of 8 miles per hour, while on land, they can run at a speed of 15 miles.

Dentition: Otters dentition is so strong. They are carnivorous animals and have the power to crack, crush, and chew hard-shelled animals, including mussels, crabs, and shellfish. They often crush and digest bones.

Body and tail: Otters’ anatomy is interesting. These animals are flexible and long in shape with muscular, streamlined, slim bodies and short limbs. They easily swim underwater with their webbed feet. Their tail helps them in swimming and comprises 40 percent of their total body length.

Fur and Coat coloration:

Otters’ upper coats range in color from dark brown and black to chocolate, but their inner coats look greyish and silver. They have a protective, thick fur which helps them in thermoregulation under cold water. Their body contains two kinds of furs: dense, soft fur and guard hairs. Guard hairs allow them to maintain their inner dense fur.

Distribution and Habitat

Otters are semi-aquatic mammals found in most of the world, including South and North America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, except Antarctica and Australia. Eurasian otters are distributed among Asia, Europe, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Sea otters are found in the Northern Pacific Ocean.

Habitat may vary from species to species. They live in water, seashores, and on coastal areas. They prefer to live in unpolluted water and enjoy both fresh and marine water. Giant otters live in America and the Amazon rainforest and also spend their time in kelp forests, rivers, and swamps.

Diet and Digestion

Most otters are carnivorous mammals and eat aquatic animals including fish as a staple food, crabs, crayfish, and shellfish. Sea otters prey on sea urchins, birds, and small mammals. Sometimes, otters eat sea plants as food to maintain their metabolic rate.

River otters digest food within an hour. They consume 20 to 25% of food to maintain their high metabolic rate. After digestion, they defecate near rivers or water areas. Their feces, known as spraints, range in color from dark brown to black.They eat as much as they can and don’t face complexity in the absorption of food.

Behavioural adaptation

Hunting

Otters are the guardians of the river. They hunt for 4 to 5 hours each day. They are proficient hunters; that’s why they hunt under or out of water. River otters spend most of their time on land but swim underwater to capture prey by using thumbs, claws, and forepaws.

Social bonding

Otters are playful creatures. They tend to live single or in pairs. They socialize in groups to enjoy lax and leisure by rolling their bodies in mud and snow. They make their bonds strong and confined by scent marking or urination. Otters secrete scent glands on trees and rocks that can strengthen their social structures.

Camouflage

These semi-aquatic mammals maintain their camouflage with their surroundings. Their color ranges from black to brown, allowing them to blend with rocks or mud. Sea otters turn their backs to camouflage their bodies with kelp beds.

Communication

Otters produce different vocalizations, including growls, whistles, whines, and screams. Mothers and pups use particular sounds to identify each other. They chuckle when they feel happy and scream in trouble. Scent marking is another way of communication. They find their sprain through gland secretion.

Reproduction and Parenting

As a skilled predator, they are crucial to maintain their habitat and ecosystem. They are known as keystone species. Otters especially consume sea urchins, invertebrates, and small grazing animals along the California coast.

They control the number of prey by their intelligence. They prevent water from the sea urchins and regulate fish and kelp populations. They are good indicators of maintaining water quality. As semi-aquatic mammals, they fall in the swimming category.

Ecological importance

Male and female otters are called dogs and bitches respectively. Otters reproduce depending on their species. According to different studies, their breeding mostly occurs in the winter season. Approximately, female otters become sexually mature at two while males at three. Their gestation period is about 6 months. On average, they can give birth to two to four pups and weigh 4 to 6 ounces at a time.

Pups look silky black, toothless, and blind. Female otters are single mothers and raise their pups. Pups stay with their mother until they can swim and hunt. Sea otters nurse their pups for 6 to 8 months and carry them while floating.

Mortality rate and Life span

The American otter mortality rate tends to be 12 years, while the rate is high among sea otters. It reaches up to 40 percent in juveniles in the first year of their life. The oldest living river otter was 27 years old.

Otters spend 21 years in water, while 8 to 9 years on the land. They live up to 16 years. In captivity, river otters can live for 20 years. Female sea otters can live longer than males.

Conservation status and Efforts

According to the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN),

Asian otters, giant sea otters, congo, and hairy-nosed otters are endangered, while smooth-coated otters are vulnerable. They are predators of kelp species which help to play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem. The contamination of chemicals and spilled oils in water is a bigger threat to the lives of otters.

Now, there are 130,000 individuals of sea otters left. To conserve these mammals, there is a need to ban the hunting and stealing of otters for fur purposes. Water pollution results in the loss of habitat. We can secure their species by giving them a pure habitat. CITES and MMPA can tackle issues of extinction by protecting their areas and resolving human and otter conflict.

Otter Fun Facts

The noses of giant and hairy otters are flat and covered with hairs.
Otters dances while they poop.
They are natural players and engage in different activities. They play with stones and make slides to roll their bodies.
Opening shellfish with a rock is one of their unique features.
Otters can dive in or stay underwater for up to eight minutes.
Unlike other mammals, sea otters have a million hair follicles on their bodies.

Cultural value

Otters are adorable aquatic creatures and known for their cunning and playful nature. But they hold great importance in different cultures:

In some American tribes, they are known for their strong bondings and unity.
In some tribes, they are valuable for their fur.
In Native American cultures, otters are considered as a symbol of fortune because of their kindness, friendship, and peace.
In Korean folklore, otters serve as a symbol of loyalty and cleanliness.
In Japanese mythology, it is believed that when they get old, they have superpowers through which they play tricks and reform the shapes.

FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the characteristics of an otter?

A: Otters are semi-aquatic mammals known for their streamlined, muscular bodies, webbed feet, and long tails that aid in swimming. They have dense, water-repellent fur that keeps them warm in cold water.

Q: What are three otter facts?

Otters are excellent swimmers that can hold their breath underwater for up to eight minutes.
They use tools, such as rocks, to open hard-shelled prey like clams.
Otters have a high metabolic rate, requiring them to eat a significant amount of food daily.

Q: Why are they called otters?

A: The name “otter” derives from the Old English word “otor” or “otter,” which is related to the word for water, reflecting their aquatic nature.

Q: Why are otters special?

A: Otters are unique for their use of tools, social behavior, and significant ecological role as predators that help control the populations of various aquatic species.

Q: Are otters friendly to humans?

A: While otters can be playful and are generally not aggressive to humans, they are wild animals and can be unpredictable.

Q: What do otters eat?

A: Otters primarily eat fish but also feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and small aquatic creatures. Some species also consume birds and small mammals.

Q: Do otters lay eggs?

A: No, otters are mammals and give birth to live young.

Q: Is an otter a safe pet?

Otters are not recommended as pets due to their specific care requirements and natural behaviors that do not adapt well to a home environment.

Q: Are otters intelligent?

A: Yes, otters are highly intelligent; they are known for their problem-solving skills and use of tools.

Q: Do pet otters smell?

A: Otters have a natural musky scent and their living environment can become odorous if not maintained properly.

Q: How long do otters live?

A: In the wild, otters can live up to 16 years, and in captivity, they can live up to 20 years or more.

Q: What do otters drink?

A: Otters get most of the water they need from the food they eat, but they can also drink fresh water.

Q: Do otters require water?

A: Yes, otters are semi-aquatic and need access to water not only for drinking but also for hunting and grooming.

Q: Can otters mate for life?

A: Some otter species are known to form monogamous pairs for a breeding season, but they do not necessarily mate for life.

Q: Can otters give birth?

A: Yes, female otters give birth to live young, usually in dens or burrows near the water.

Q: How do otters make love?

A: Otters mate in the water, and their mating involves playful and sometimes rough interaction.

Q: Can otters feel love?

A: Otters can form strong bonds with their mates and offspring, showing care and social interaction that could be analogous to affection.

Q: Are otters aggressive?

A: Otters can be aggressive if threatened or during territorial disputes, although they are generally playful and curious.

Q: What cute things do otters do?

A: Otters are known for holding hands while sleeping to keep from drifting apart, sliding down mud or snow banks, and playing with stones.

Q: What is a female otter called?

A: A female otter is called a bitch.

Q: Can an otter be a pet?

A: While it is legal in some places, keeping an otter as a pet is generally discouraged due to their specific care needs and natural behaviors.

Q: Do otters have twins?

A: Otters can give birth to twins, although single births are more common.

Q: What do otters call their babies?

Baby otters are often referred to as pups or kits.

Q: What eats otters?

A: Predators of otters can include large birds of prey, crocodiles, and large predatory fish.

Q: How do otters sleep?

A: Otters often sleep floating in the water, sometimes wrapped in seaweed or holding hands in groups to stay together.

Q: Are otters good parents?

A: Otters are attentive and caring parents, with mothers typically nurturing and teaching their young essential survival skills.

Q: How big are otters?

A: Depending on the species, otters can range from about 2 to 5.9 feet in length.

Q: What is the largest danger to otters?

A: The greatest threats to otters include habitat loss, water pollution, and hunting for their fur.

Q: Are otters talkative?

A: Otters are quite vocal; they communicate with various sounds such as whistles, growls, and screams, especially between mothers and pups.

Q: What is the lifespan of an otter?

A: The lifespan varies by species but typically ranges from 10 to 20 years, depending on environmental factors and whether they are in the wild or captivity.

Q: How do otters reproduce?

A: Otters reproduce sexually, with mating occurring in the water and females giving birth to live young, which they nurse and care for.

Q: How old was the oldest otter?

A: The oldest recorded otter, particularly a North American river otter, lived to be 27 years old.

Learn More About Otters

On this page, you are invited to explore our articles about the fascinating behaviors of otters.

These articles answer common questions about otters, including their diet, social structures, swimming skills, and interactions with their environment and other species.

Scroll down to discover some of the unique traits of otters and understand why they behave the way they do.

Eurasian Otter

Introduction to the Eurasian Otter The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra), also commonly known as the European river otter or Old World otter, is one of the most widely distributed species of otters. These elusive animals

Neotropical Otter

Introduction to the Neotropical Otter The Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis), also known as the long-tailed otter, is a fascinating species native to the waters and forests of Central and South America. These sleek, agile creatures

Spotted-necked Otter(Hydrictis maculicollis)

Introduction to Spotted-necked Otter Otters are a fascinating group of semi-aquatic mammals known for their playful nature and adaptability to various aquatic environments. Found across continents from Asia to Africa and the Americas, these charismatic

Sea otter(Enhydra lutrus)

Introduction to Sea otters Otters are a fascinating group of semi-aquatic mammals known for their playful nature and unique adaptations to life both in and out of water. To learn more about different otter species

Smooth-coated otter(letrozole perspicillata)

Introduction Otters are fascinating creatures that are well-loved for their playful behavior and incredible swimming skills. They are semi-aquatic mammals that belong to the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, badgers, and ferrets. Otters are

Giant otter( Pteronura brasiliensis)

Introduction to Giant otter Otters are fascinating mammals known for their playful nature and aquatic lifestyle. These charismatic animals are part of the weasel family, Mustelidae, and are widely distributed across various continents, each species