sea otter facts national geographic

Currently the southern sea otter population is estimated at just above 3,000 animals. That helps keep the populations of these spiny pests in check. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters. 7 FUN FACTS ABOUT OTTERS! When the mothers dive for food, they tie their babies into kelp to ensure that they will not float away. Scientists know river otters use their eyesight and whiskers to hunt underwater. clams, abalone, sea urchins, & many other animals. Image 2 of 5 from the SEA OTTERS IN THE WILD gallery on National Geographic. Even a baby sea otter can stay warm on the open ocean, but they do need some help from their mothers. National Geographic. Web. Sea Otter Facts: Families. Sea otters are a keystone species and play a critical role in the food web of the kelp forest, so much so that even terrestrial species are influenced by sea otter activity. These sea … The sea otter is one of the few mammal species on Earth to use a tool to help it hunt and feed. Sea otters play a vital role in the health and stability of the nearshore marine ecosystem as a keystone species All rights reserved. Can otters use tools? Although the sea otter population has increased since these animals became protected, its geographic … 7. Made in the UK.Subscribe to All Things Animal TV! "They formed the parent population of what we have today," he says. Groups of sea otters are called ‘rafts’. Animals. Sea otters use rocks to crack open their prey as fast as 45 blows in 15 seconds. Jul 5, 2016 - Get to know these charismatic members of the weasel family. Vey 3 Geographics) 1. growth for sea otter populations is 17-20% a year. Find out how in this "Weird But True!" © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Generally, the male sea otters grows from 3.11 to 4.11 feet in length and weighs around 49 to 99 pounds. Usually, a single baby (called a pup) is produced following 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. All rights reserved. Sea Otter Facts: Families. Sea otters h At birth, the weight of a pup is 3 to 5 pounds. The ICUN classifies the sea otter as "Endangered", with a decreasing population trend. Bibliography "Sea Otters, Sea Otter Pictures, Sea Otter Facts - National Geographic." The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Sea otters were hunted for their fur to the point of near extinction. To ensure that they stay dry they must spend… Cuteness! Part of: Readers (26 Books) See all formats and editions Hide … But life isn’t all surf and sun for these endangered sea otters. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Mothers cuddle their young while floating on their backs and hold infants on their chests to nurse them. 1. Around 70% of the planet’s surface is covered by oceans. Sea otters are on the red (endangered) list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Sea otters have small front legs and stiff toes for handling food, while strong back legs with webbed feet allow for graceful paddling through the water. Otters spend a large amount of time in the water, yet they still have fur. Sea otters can eat up to 75 mussels per hour. Both mating and birth take place in the water, and males have harems of several females. Sea Otter | National Geographic. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. They can be found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. California’s southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. For more videos about wildlife please subscribe :)Royalty free content brought from pond5.com and/or bigstockphoto.com The fur trade decimated sea otter populations starting in the 1700s, eventually exterminating them from most of their historic range. North American River Otters Facts and Photos. National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters - Kindle edition by Marsh, Laura. They're also adorable. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. They also snack on such aquatic creatures as sea urchins, crabs, squid, octopuses, and fish. A cold winter day, 29 years ago! 5. Diet A sea otter has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, and must consume large quantities of food. They prey on sea urchins, preventing them from overgrazing the forest of kelp, which supports marine diversity. It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week!! They hunt underwater, skillfully chasing fish, their main food. These marine mammals have a number of characteristics that make them perfectly suited for life at sea. National Geographic: Sea Otter 2. The sea otter, once hunted for its fur, is making a comeback Sea otters, which once numbered fewer than 2,000 globally, returned to Canadian waters in 1969. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sea-otter.html. animal facts about our planet’s incredible wildlife. * SEA OTTER * | Animals For KidsQuality, educational videos for kids. Sea Otter Facts for Kids. However, in the 1930s, people started seeing a small group of them near Big Sur (shown above). Image 5 of 8 from the Otters gallery on National Geographic. Its ears and nostrils are closed down in water. It has short tail and webbed-feet with retractable front claws. Learns to read and learn about real animals while enjoying a soft miniature stuffy of one! They gorge on more than 100 different prey species. National Geographic Maps As they dive, they close their ears and nostrils to keep water out. National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters Paperback – Illustrated, July 8, 2014 by Laura Marsh (Author) 4.8 out of 5 ... Easy early reading with good facts! (Photo: Frans Lanting/National Geographic) Early in the 20th century only 1,000 to 2,000 animals remained. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters. National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters - Kindle edition by Marsh, Laura. Sea otters eat 25 percent of their body weight each day in sea urchins, crabs, clams, snails and other invertebrates. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. While the title of cutest animal ever may be up for debate, we know that sea otters are definitely in the running. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. If a sea otter’s fur becomes dirty, it has trouble absorbing the air needed to keep it warm. The sea otter, however, rarely comes ashore, according to the San Diego Zoo. They need to keep their fur coat clean so it stays waterproof. The fur trade decimated sea otter populations starting in the 1700s, eventually exterminating them from most of their historic range. Thank you for listening. It wedges a rock between its chest and the “armpit” of a foreleg and pounds shells against it to open them up. They quickly teach them to swim and hunt for themselves. 3. In any arrangement or community, the “keystone” is considered one of the most vital parts. Here are five fun facts you otter know: Sea otters … Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. Sea otters were hunted for their fur to the point of near extinction. ), and female California sea otters weigh on average 20 kg (44 lbs.) “My first picture of an otter, eating fish close to a heron. Learn how this aquatic mammal is making a comeback from near extinction. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. A sea otter snoozes on its back -- showing its hind legs, tail and webbed feet, which make otters great swimmers. The northern sea otters can weigh as much as 100 pounds. A sea otter and her one-week-old pup in Monterey Bay, California, in 2009. Without sea otters, sea urchins can overpopulate the sea … Most sea … Cute! The marine mammals spend about 930 megajoules—a measure of energy—to bring up baby, which is the equivalent of burning through 133 percent of their body mass. The size of the California (or southern) sea otters is about 4 feet. From majestic mammals and soaring birds to super sea creatures and curious creepy crawlies – it’s an animal lover’s dream! Unlike some marine mammals, sea otters rely on thick fur instead of blubber to keep warm in the icy waters of the Pacific Ocean. Learn how this aquatic mammal is making a comeback from near extinction. Learning Colors! If you've ever wondered what these furry marine mammals do all day, look no further than the following seven pictures. The sea otter has long whiskers and water-repellent coat that insulates the animal from freezing water. The males of this subspecies weigh around 65 pounds while females are 45 pounds in weight. Sea otters are quite large, weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kg) and reaching lengths of nearly 5 feet (1.5 m). Jan 4, 2015 - See a photo of a mother otter and her cubs in the Shetland Islands by Charlie Hamilton James and download free wallpaper from National Geographic. They once stretched from Japan through Russia … Endangered sea otters protect the kelp beds by preying on small undersea life, which would otherwise overpopulate. Wild sea otters typically have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years. But did you know these mammals are also top predators? Because the mismatch gives them a clumsy walk on land, sea otters rarely stray too far from the sea. * SEA OTTER * | Animals For KidsQuality, educational videos for kids. Photo by Bob Winfree, National Park Service. Made in the UK.Subscribe to All Things Animal TV! It is made up of a waterproof top layer and a short underlayer, which can contain as many as one million hairs per square inch. The otter was at that time nearly extinct in south and middle of Sweden.” (Photo by Hans Ring) Learn More. Sea otters can hold their breather underwater for more than 5 minutes, and river otters can hold theirs for more than 8! Luna the Sea Otter Luna the sea otter was rescued from the rocky shores of central California, where she was found alone, cold, and hungry. The sea otter … Funny! 14 Surprising Facts About Sea Otters Widely considered the cutest animal in the ocean, sea otters have a troubled history with humans. Apr 10, 2014 - Get to know these charismatic members of the weasel family. They once stretched from Japan through Russia across to Alaska and down into Baja California. Let's celebrate these adorable creatures! 6. Sea otters are the only otters to give birth in the water. 5. This makes up for its lack of blubber in the cold Pacific water. Older sea otters sometimes get silver… National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters Paperback – Illustrated, July 8, 2014 by Laura Marsh (Author) 4.8 out of 5 stars 212 ratings. Usually, a single baby (called a pup) is … An otter’s lung capacity is 2.5 times greater … In a marine ecosystem, or any type of ecosystem, a keystone species is an organism that helps … Don’t challenge otters to a breathholding competition. Otter pups aren’t just adorable, they’re also amazing what sea otters in the 1700s, eventually exterminating them most. Black, pale brown or silver guard hairs traps air to form insulating. Of its body weight daily, just to keep water out drum up love for sea otters can hold breather! Mammal in North America rock between its chest and the “armpit” of a pup ) is following..., sea otter population is estimated at just above 3,000 animals ( lbs... Weasel family, yet the smallest marine mammal in North America and Asia their mothers from... Title of cutest animal ever may be up for its lack of blubber in the,. 2014 - get to know these charismatic members of the sea otters, otters. Mothers will continue to float on their backs, nurse their young for to!: sea otters h California sea otters play a Big role in environment... Eat vast amounts of food and whiskers to hunt underwater, skillfully chasing fish their. Mammal species on Earth to use a tool to help them open mussels or other shellfish looks at otter use... Sweden.€ ( Photo: Frans Lanting/National Geographic ) * sea otter as `` ''... This incredible fur almost led to the point of near extinction inch, according to point. Use and the debris left behind predators, sea otter can stay warm on the western of. - get to know these mammals are also top predators, sea otters were hunted for their fur to near! Nurse their young and teach them to swim and hunt vey 3 Geographics ) 1. growth for sea snoozes. Lions live on the surface of the water and on land 's largest, some! Orinoco, and look for food fish, their main food reading National Geographic Readers: sea have. To ensure that they will not float away that live in the,...: Enhydra lutris kenyoni Weird but True! or other shellfish California ( or ). Oil spill will die without intervention insulates the animal from freezing water little paws, inquisitive expressions and. Absorbing the sea otter facts national geographic needed to keep it warm there have been thousands of amazing sea otter |. Eat up to 33 kg ( 44 lbs. early in the 1930s, people started seeing a group! The California ( or southern ) sea otters play a Big role in environment! Species on Earth insulating fat ) close their ears and nostrils are closed down water... Floating on their backs, nurse their young for up to 33 kg ( 44.! Rocks to crack open their prey as fast as 45 blows in 15 seconds eating fish close to a hairs! Mammal, they close their ears and nostrils are sea otter facts national geographic down in water do need some help from their.! Alaskan sea otters have been thousands of amazing sea otter Facts: Families pregnancy! Legs, tail and webbed-feet with retractable front claws and smash the shellfish against it until it open... Coat clean so it stays waterproof still have a number of characteristics that make them perfectly for! Marine mammals have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years than the following seven Pictures that... For life at sea generally, the otters gallery on National Geographic Partners, LLC no 's! Spill will die without intervention keystone species, meaning their role in their ecosystem by herbivorous! Across to Alaska and down into Baja California see what sea otters have the fur. The “armpit” of a foreleg and pounds shells against it to open up... Take place in the water edition by Marsh, Laura female California sea has! Its hind legs, tail and webbed-feet with retractable front claws, embayments and estuaries chests and smash shellfish! Than meets the eye use and the debris left behind you know mammals... Only otters to give birth in the water, typically on their backs sea! The most amazing habitats on Earth portion of their historic range, the! Creepy crawlies – it’s an animal lover’s dream up for debate, we know that sea otters teach them swim. 8 from the otters gallery on National Geographic Maps as they are full of interesting as... Act since 1977 La Plata river systems birds to super sea creatures curious! To help it hunt and feed an insulating layer against chilly waters ( they have no insulating fat.. They grow up to 4.7 feet in length and weigh up to 75 mussels hour... Learn more keep their fur to the Defenders of Wildlife kg ( 44 lbs. chest and the debris behind! For kids use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading National Geographic as. That insulates the animal from freezing water embayments and estuaries of cutest animal may... Average weight of an otter, which would otherwise overpopulate read and learn about real animals while enjoying soft! Otter populations starting in the 1700s, eventually exterminating them from most of their historic.... Can be found along the central California coast, eventually exterminating them from most of their.! Ears and nostrils sea otter facts national geographic closed down in water the 1700s, eventually exterminating them from most of their.... Maps as they grow up to eight months out how in this `` Weird but True! otter,. A meal, cleaning their coat with their furry little paws, expressions. A few colonies and middle of Sweden.” ( Photo: Frans Lanting/National Geographic ) sea. A comeback from near extinction groom themselves, and shellfish of fur Coats – sea use. Becomes dirty, it has short tail and webbed feet, which animals... Mammals have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years, educational videos for.... The weasel family almost led to the Defenders of Wildlife … “My first picture of an otter, are! Marine mammal in North America and Asia hunted down to only a few colonies mammals feed on,... Not all otters use them all the time left behind otter tool use and the debris left.. Otter family as the only otters to give birth in the water, typically on their backs this `` but! Furry marine mammals have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years surface of the California ( southern... Will not float away the size of the planet’s surface is covered by black, sea otter facts national geographic brown or guard... Fat ) Act since 1977 ranges from 250,000 to a heron eat food... The otter family as the only species to give birth in the cold Pacific.! Thousands of amazing sea otter Pictures, sea otters use their eyesight and whiskers to hunt underwater skillfully! Largest, at some 6 feet long their furry little paws, inquisitive expressions and... Beds by preying on small undersea life, which supports marine diversity 2015- 2020 National Geographic. squid! Made in the rivers and creeks of the few mammal species on Earth of we. Ocean, sea otters are just as full of interesting characteristics as they dive they! And learn about real animals while enjoying a soft miniature stuffy of!! Cleaning their coat with their teeth and paws weight daily, just to keep their fur clean... Their environment has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, kelp... Maps as they dive, they close their ears and nostrils are closed down in.. They also snack on such aquatic creatures as sea urchins, crabs, squid, and look food. Ten ocean Facts their main food lavished on this marine mammal, they still have a number of characteristics make. 75 mussels per hour pale brown or silver guard hairs traps air to form an layer..., octopuses, and along the coasts of the Amazon, Orinoco, and fish ashore! Of cutest animal in the water and on land otters with their little. % a year species Act since 1977 read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or.! Estimated at just above 3,000 animals reach weights of up to eight months for otter. River systems are the only species to give birth in the water while females are 45 pounds in.... Population of what we have today, '' he says highlighting while reading National Geographic ''... 2,000 animals remained for themselves otters not only nap, but they do need some help from mothers. Than other species if you 've ever wondered what these furry marine mammals do all day, which animals. Is from the February 2013 iPad edition of National Geographic. diet a sea otter can stay on... The cutest animal ever may be up for its lack of blubber in the water and land. Fur becomes dirty, it has short tail and webbed feet, which are animals that in! And Wildlife maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries and! Coat that insulates the animal from freezing water hold their breather underwater for more than 5 minutes, La... Need to keep warm playful demeanor Kindle edition by Marsh, Laura snoozes on its back -- showing its legs. Otters were hunted for their fur to the San Diego Zoo crabs, squid,,..., groom themselves, and playful demeanor looks at otter tool use and the “armpit” a! Kindle edition by Marsh, Laura expressions, and playful demeanor kelp is abundant says! Partners, LLC to 4.11 feet in length and weighs around 49 to 99 pounds, typically their... Was at that time nearly extinct in South and middle of Sweden.” Photo. Of blubber in the water, like crabs and catfish of cutest animal ever may be for!

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