Type: Mammal. Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. Otter - Otter - Conservation and classification: Nearly all species of otters face increasing threat as urbanization and logging continue. These images are to be used as desktop wallpaper only. These classifications are therefore closely related to diet preferences. Mustelids include the polecats, the badgers, the martens, the otters, the wolverine, and other members of the weasel family. Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10. Come with us on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp. Diet A sea otter has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, and must consume large quantities of food. Genus Limnonyx It is lined with moss and grass. >20 years vs. otters absent), ten 2525 cm plots were excavated from lower and mid mussel beds at three sites in each region (the same plots that mussel size were sampled from). They grow to one meter (3 to 4ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30lb). Find a variety of free classroom activities that will keep your students engaged and excited to learn about animals. Molars are flattened and rounded used more for crushing food rather then cutting it. Otters come from the subfamily of Lutrinae that has around 13 species like Asian small-clawed otter, sea otter, giant otter etc. The Australian Classification website comprises information for general public and industry about the classification of films, games and publications. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Prey-dependence leaves otters very vulnerable to prey depletion. The fossil remnants of many freshwater otters date back to the Miocene (5 to 23 million years ago). This gregarious animal grows to a length of up to 1.8m (5.9ft), and is more aquatic than most other otters. Norse mythology tells of the dwarf tr habitually taking the form of an otter. The Lower Klamath River in Happy Camp, CA is where most new OARS Oregon guides go to learn how to better navigate the river and grow as a guide. bounds of this age class. The nostrils and ears close when underwater. Mustelidae - The Mustelidae are a family of carnivorous mammals, including the otters, badgers, weasels, martens, ferrets, minks and wolverines. [28] It is said that they speak human words, and sometimes people are called and stopped while walking on roads. Vishnuonyx. In China it was standard for the royalty to wear robes made from them. North American river otters (L. canadensis) are still taken as part of the commercial fur trade, but the primary threats to others are the destruction of wetland habitats and pollution. At Slimbridge there are regular otter visitors to the Kingfisher Hide and at Washington otters have made the saline lagoon their home. Genus Lutra 3 species found in Africa and Eurasia. We do PE with Elite coaches every Thursday afternoon. Select Page. The gestation period in otters is about 60 to 86 days. 1. Population. They have very soft, insulated underfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs. Lutra longicaudis- A solitary species, but still the most widespread otter in Central and South America. Roadkill deaths have become one of the significant threats to the success of their re-establishment. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. Genus Lontra 4 species found in the Americas. The Eurasian river otter, Lutra lutra, is found along the coasts and inland waters of Europe, Asia, China, Japan, Java, Sri lanka, the Middle East and North Africa.Eurasia. From fun and affordable field trips for students to amazing summer adventures, our camps combine education and entertainment in a way that connects people to the sea and sea life like nowhere else. Even some types of mittens for children have been made from the fur of otters. Otter Communication; Otters are very chatty, so when you are around a large group of them it can sound chaotic. Lower urchin density reduces grazing pressure 2. They grow to one meter (3 to 4 ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30 lb). Otters are part of a much bigger family. Genus Aonyx (clawless otters) 2 species found in sub-Saharan Africa. Although once near extinction, they have begun to spread again, from remnant populations in California and Alaska. The pup lives with its family for approximately one year. If you've ever wanted an extraordinary pet, fun, independent and adorable otters might be your choice! Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are classified as marine mammals and live along the Pacific coast of North America. Lutra Additional findings in otters with nasopulmonary acariasis included lower respiratory tract bacterial infections, presence of medium-sized and/or fresh nose wounds at necropsy (indicators of recent face-to-face interaction between otters during copulation or fighting), and turbinate bone erosion. Free. Sea otters use rocks to crack open the spiny shells of sea urchins. 450-1100)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2017, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 January 2021, at 20:28. Free. If a human attempts to speak to one, they will answer "oraya" and then answer "araya," and if anybody asks them anything, they say cryptic things like "kawai. They perform pranks like extinguishing the fire of the paper lanterns of people who walk on roads at night, shapeshifting into a beautiful woman of 18 or 19 years of age and fooling people, or tricking people and making them try to engage in sumo against a rock or a tree stump. Location: One of the widest distributions of a UK mammal species, the Eurasian Otter is found throughout Europe, eastern Russia and China, south and south east Asia and north Africa. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Pollution also affects fish populations on which otters often depend. Sea Otters . Sea urchins and crabs are easily cracked open with the four incisors on the sea otters lower jaw. In Japanese, otters are called "kawauso" (). Sea otters are diurnal with crepuscular peaks in foraging activity. Several otter species live in cold waters and have high metabolic rates to help keep them warm. Welcome to Otters class page! They grow to one meter (3 to 4 ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30 lb). Lontra The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Genus Lutravus [28], In the town of Numatachi, Asa District, Hiroshima Prefecture (now Hiroshima), they are called "tomo no kawauso" () and "ato no kawauso" (). Tail A striking feature of their body is their long, pointed tail, which is about 30-50 cm long on average. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, mink, and wolverines, among other animals. Sea otters are further divided into three subspecies: The subspecies are separated geographically, and vary slightly in their size, diet, use of tools, and the amount of time they spend on land. Otters have been hunted for their pelts from at least the 1700s, although it may have begun well before then. Mustelids are diverse and the largest family in the order Carnivora. In such hunts, the hunters notched their poles after every kill. The Mustelidae are a family of carnivorous mammals, including weasels, badgers, otters, ferrets, martens, minks, and wolverines, among others. It is actually broken down into a handful of substrata to which each gay belongs. Genus Vishnuonyx Its a low-stress stretch of river to run, with the exception of one rapid, Otters Playpen, which I was about to row solo for the first time. Otters with nasopulmonary acariasis were 14.2 times more likely to have upper respiratory inflammation at necropsy than un-infested otters. By the time the 1911 Fur Seal Treaty gave them protection, so few sea otters remained that the fur trade had become unprofitable. [20], For many generations, fishermen in southern Bangladesh have bred smooth-coated otters and used them to chase fish into their nets. [16] They frequently carry a rock in a pouch under their forearm and use this to smash open shells, making them one of the relatively small number of animals that use tools. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. They are small animals that average about four feet in length and up to 30 pounds. Wikipedia Scientific name: Mustelidae Higher classification: Caniformia Rank: Family Lower classifications: Mink, Neovison, Otter, Weasel, Mustelinae, Meles. See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Otters. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) became one of the major animals hunted and trapped for fur in North America after European contact. Genus - Aonyx (clawless otters). Different species vary in their social structure, with some being largely solitary, while others live in groups in a few species these groups may be fairly large. Four-year-old otters with high DA exposure had . This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry, warm, and somewhat buoyant under water. In Japanese folklore, they fool humans in the same way as foxes (kitsune) and tanuki. Overview System Requirements Related. [7][8], The feces of otters are typically identified by their distinctive aroma, the smell of which has been described as ranging from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish;[9] these are known as spraints.[10]. [4][5], An otter's den is called a holt or couch. [19], Traffic (the wildlife trade monitoring network) reported that otters are at serious risk in Southeast Asia and have disappeared from parts of their former range. Enhydritherium Genus Sardolutra Teacher - Mrs Harrington-Bromwich. Meet the adults. Most species live beside water, but river otters usually enter it only to hunt or travel, otherwise spending much of their time on land to prevent their fur becoming waterlogged. The 13 species range in adult size from 0.6 to 1.8m (2.0 to 5.9ft) in length and 1 to 45kg (2.2 to 99.2lb) in weight. The hot, jagged-rocked spot loomed just above Otters Playpen, one of only two Class III rapids on the Lower Klamath section we run. Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) 2. The newborn pup is cared for by the bitch, dog and older offspring. Genus Enhydritherium Enhydriodon[2][3] Give your desktop a new look with this Windows theme. [26]. PC Description. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. Genus - Lutra (river otters). EVERYONE. So, it is important to know the genetic diversity, genetic structure and adaptive evolution mechanisms of Eurasian river otters. Molars are flattened and rounded used more for crushing food rather then cutting it. Adult sea otters may eat as much as 9 kg (20 lbs.) The word otter derives from the Old English word otor or oter. Mustelidae comprises about 5660 species across eight subfamilies. Otters live up to 16 years; they are by nature playful, and frolic in the water with their pups. This is often supplemented by frogs, crayfish and crabs. Most are small, with short ears and noses, elongated Deforestation affects river otters through much of South America and Asia. Our overarching zoological mission is to foster conservation awareness and to impart action on our park guests to preserve wild animals and wild places. The tail is long and muscular, The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species and the giant otter and sea otter are the largest. Click Whiskers sense vibrations in the water. Otters. Genus Torolutra Lartetictis Otters are active hunters, chasing prey in the water or searching the beds of rivers, lakes or the seas. [11] Some otters are experts at opening shellfish, and others will feed on available small mammals or birds. In Irish mythology, the character L Ban was turned from a woman into a mermaid, half human and half salmon, and given three hundred years of life to roam the oceans. Size. In fact, they are now recognised as Most species hunt for three to five hours each day and nursing mothers up to eight hours each day. Beavers weigh about twice as much as Otters, and live twice as long, too. [24], The otter is held to be a clean animal belonging to Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrian belief, and taboo to kill. Browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and zoo careers. exposure were compared separately from otters at the lower and upper . Genus Tyrrhenolutra Get. The Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. [33], In the Ishikawa and Kochi Prefectures, they are said to be a type of kappa, and there are stories told about how they engage in sumo with otters. Most have sharp claws on their feet and all except the sea otter have long, muscular tails. Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) 5. spot-necked otter (Lutra maculicollis) 6. smooth/smooth-coated otter (Lutra perspicillata) 7. southern river otter (Lutra provocax) 8. hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana) Genus - Pteronura (giant otter). Males weigh up to 90 lbs. Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. Classification, body parts and more. Otters are playful animals and appear to engage in various behaviors for sheer enjoyment, such as making waterslides and then sliding on them into the water. Because the otter food source is easier to excavate from rocky-bottom habitats, as opposed to soft-bottom habitats, more otters tend to live in waters with rocky bottoms with access to shallow-burrowing prey. The males body length varies from 138 162 cm and that of females goes from 109 127 cm. Download free teacher guides to keep students learning in a hands-on way: includes vocabulary, classroom activities, goals and objectives. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. The spotted-necked otter is a relatively small species, with males measuring 71 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in) from nose to rump, and weighing 5.7 to 6.5 kg (13 to 14 lb), while females are 57 to 61 cm (22 to 24 in) and 3.0 to 4.7 kg (6.6 to 10.4 lb). 1. giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Genus - Aonyx (clawless otters). Female Neotropical River Otters have 4 nipples in their lower abdomen. [15] As with other species of otter, they rely on a layer of air trapped in their fur, which they keep topped up by blowing into the fur from their mouths. For example, when sea otters are present in rocky habitats, they eat sea urchins and urchin density decreases as a result. All otters belong to the family Mustelidae, along with weasels, skunks, minks, and badgers. Are you wild about whales? Unlike most marine mammals (such as seals or whales), sea otters do not have a layer of insulating blubber. North American river otters (L. canadensis) are still taken as part of the commercial fur trade, but the primary threats to others are the destruction of wetland habitats and pollution. 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. Mustelids are characterized by generally long, streamlined bodies; fine, dense hair; and scent glands at the base of the tail. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. Genus Amblonyx (small-clawed otter) 1 species found in South and Southeast Asia and in New Guinea. Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. Otter - Otter - Conservation and classification: Nearly all species of otters face increasing threat as urbanization and logging continue. Throughout Europe, populations of L. lutra declined precipitously through the latter half of the 20th century, and the species is of active conservation concern. The otter is part of the weasel family which includes other carnivorous animals like the weasel, stoat, badger, mink and ferret. "[27][28] There are darker stories, such as one from Kaga Province (now Ishikawa Prefecture) in which an otter that lives in the castle's moat shapeshifts into a woman, invites males, and then kills and eats them. Thankfully, after huge efforts to improve water quality and the banning of chemicals such as DDT, there are now increasingly good chances of spotting this enigmatic predator. Foraging dives usually last 50 to 90 seconds, but otters can remain submerged for nearly 6 minutes. Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs. In the British Isles, they were common as recently as the 1950s, but became rare in many areas due to the use of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides, habitat loss and water pollution (they remained relatively common in parts of Scotland and Ireland). Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. Algarolutra [6] The collective nouns for otters are bevy, family, lodge, romp (being descriptive of their often playful nature) or, when in water, raft. The prized trophy that hunters would take from the otters was the penis bone, which would be worn as a tie-pin. So are we! It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Otters Class Welcome to the Otters Class page for remote learning during the January 2021 National Lockdown, We completely appreciate that this is a difficult time for all of our families and wish to support in whichever way we can. Population levels reached a low point in the 1980s, but are now recovering strongly. bounds of this age class. Four-year-old otters with high DA exposure had . Lutravus Pteronura The tails of otters were often made into items for men to wear. At SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, we extend our commitment to the environment beyond our company by supporting a variety of conservation groups and programs. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). [35], In an Ainu folktale, in Urashibetsu (in Abashiri, Hokkaido), there are stories where monster otters shapeshift into humans, go into homes where there are beautiful girls, and try to kill the girl and make her its wife. Get. Find quick information and fun facts with these 1-page easy resources about animals from A to Z. Mustelids are diverse and the largest family in the order Carnivora. It is said that those possessed by otters lose their stamina as if their soul has been extracted. Posts about Otter Scientific & Classification written by adelinerenata. Genus Siamogale. They live mainly on land that is very close to bodies of water. Historically, skunks have also been included in Mustelidae, but genetic analyses suggest that they belong to a separate family of their own (Mephitidae). Background. Classification: kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia (mammals), Order Carnivora, Family Mustelidae (weasels, ferrets, minks, skunks, otters, badgers). Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) live along the Pacific coast of North America.Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait and Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan.Sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimetre of skin, a rich fur for which humans hunted them almost to extinction. Genus Enhydriodon Status: Near Threatened Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. [citation needed], In the Buddhist Jataka tales, The Otters and The Wolf, two otters agreed to let a fox settle their dispute in dividing their caught fish but it was taken away by the cunning fox. Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congica) Genus - Enhydra (sea otter). They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Sea otter numbers have declined in southwestern Alaska over the past 20 years. This, and cognate words in other Indo-European languages, ultimately stem from the Proto-Indo-European language root *wdr, which also gave rise to the English word "water". ), and female California sea otters weigh on average 20 kg (44 lbs.) Twelve adorable otter images splish and The chromosome-level genome assembly will help answer the above questions, which has important conservation implications for this species. Asian small-cla Importance . Sea urchins and crabs are easily cracked open with the four incisors on the sea otters lower jaw. Jul 31, 2018 - Mustelidae - The Mustelidae are a family of carnivorous mammals, including the otters, badgers, weasels, martens, ferrets, minks and wolverines. exposure were compared separately from otters at the lower and upper . In some areas, this is a protected species, and some places have otter sanctuaries that help sick and injured otters to recover. The largest otter is the giant otter. Available on . Male otters are called dogs or boars, females are called bitches or sows, and their offspring are called pups. Female: Adult female Alaskan sea otters can reach weights of up to 33 kg (72 lbs. The myth of "Otter's Ransom"[23] is the starting point of the Volsunga saga. Genus Teruelictis View large version of image Miss Harrison - Teaching assistant Close large version of image. Twelve adorable otter images splish and splash across your desktop in these free 4k Windows 10 themes. The Eurasian river otter is listed as Near Threatened under the IUCN red list, and some populations have been decreasing. Sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimeters of skin,[14] a rich fur for which humans hunted them almost to extinction. 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. Post code SO23 8DX. Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait and Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan. Enhydra Go behind-the-scenes to see how our trainers care for and interact with these amazing animals, and get up close with some finned, flippered, or feathered friends. They may also find and play with small stones. mustelids lower classifications. 1. Mustelids were among the first carnivore families to enter South America from the Panamanian land bridge, and they diversified in South America to 14 extant species. Welcome to the Otters Class page for remote learning during the January 2021 National Lockdown, We completely appreciate that this is a difficult time for all of our families and wish to support in whichever way we can. Otter Anatomy The anatomy of an Otter is designed to allow it to get around well both on land and in the water. In the Noto region, Ishikawa Prefecture, there are stories where they shapeshift into beautiful women or children wearing checker-patterned clothing. They come in many sizes. In Ireland, L. lutra populations have The global conservation status for tigers is Endangered (EN) and populations are declining. Mining rivers for gravel kills the fish that are the otters main food source. They are notable for their ability to use stones to break open shellfish on their stomachs. They grow to 1.0 to 1.5m (3.3 to 4.9ft) in length and weigh 30kg (66lb). This skill must be learned by the young.[12]. They spend most of their lives in the water, and they are made for it! In Kyuquot Sound and Barkley Sound, where sea otter occupancy differed the most (i.e. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. Siamogale Once containing more than half of the worlds sea otters, this population segment, which ranges from Kodiak Island through the western Aleutian Islands, has undergone an overall population decline of at least 5567 percent since the mid-1980s. Humans also kill sea otters when they use fishing gear that traps the otter or hit the otter with boats. The Sea Otters, which are the heaviest Otter species in the world, weigh somewhere around 20 kgs, which is the closest Otters have ever come to Beavers in weight. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) inhabits South America, especially the Amazon river basin, but is becoming increasingly rare due to poaching, habitat loss, and the use of mercury and other toxins in illegal alluvial gold mining. Lutrogale The season for mating depends on the region where they live. Torolutra The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) became one of the major animals hunted and trapped for fur in North America after European contact.River otters eat a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as small land mammals and birds.