But when there are not enough predators like sea otters to feed on sea urchins, the urchins graze over and effectively wipe out kelp forests. Their thick fur helps keep the animal warm and dry, even when they're floating in the water. The sea otter's most preferred food is; sea urchins, abalones, and crabs. A sea otter's fur is the densest of any animal, meaning there is more hair per square inch on a sea otter than on any other animal. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. Services. Unlike other marine mammals, sea otters lack an insulating layer of fat. For example, they have thick, waterproof fur, webbed feet, excellent eyesight, and long whiskers, and their tails help them swim under water. For one thing, food sources would be very hard to reach. This page contains sea otter facts and information, and is part of our Arctic Animals series. 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. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. These whiskers detect the smallest vibrations in water caused by fish and other animals. The sea otters usually live near the shore waters of the North Pacific, from Japan, north to the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, then from Alaska down along the Pacific coast of North America to Baja, California. The sea otter displays numerous adaptations to its marine environment. Log in here for access. just create an account. Create an account to start this course today. 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. Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, Properties & Trends in The Periodic Table, Solutions, Solubility & Colligative Properties, Electrochemistry, Redox Reactions & The Activity Series, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Roles & Responsibilities of Teachers in Distance Learning. They swim with movements of the hind legs and tail. Known as a sprawling and energetic “celebration of cycling,” Sea Otter is cycling’s North American season opener. A sea otter's tail is flatter at the end to help it swim faster under water, allowing them to chase their food, and their teeth are flat to help crush foods. Like other members of this family, they have very thick fur. You can test out of the All otters have higher metabolic rates than land mammals of similar size, and generate more body heat. Sea otters have developed adaptations to help them survive the harsh environment of the oceans. Even in temperate water mammals lose body heat rapidly. Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. - Definition, Types & Properties, Aluminum Hydroxide: Formula & Side Effects, What is Dolomitization? Sea otters have a long tail accounting for nearly a third of their body length and four webbed, clawed feet, which they use to navigate land and catch, break, and eat their prey. The sea otter’s feet are webbed which are good for picking up speed in the water. Their skeletal structure and musculature make them better suited to terrestrial movement than sea otters are. What is the Difference Between Blended Learning & Distance Learning? 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In other regions the otter shares aquatic habitats with species specialised to different habitats such as sea otters, but in Ireland the otters that live at the coast and those that occupy our rivers are the same species. courses that prepare you to earn Arteries and veins in the extremities are very close together. Typical habitats include lakes, rivers, marshes, and coastal shorelines. When swimming at a high speed, the entire body, including the tail, undulates up and down and the hind feet steer. The nostrils and small ears can close. Are you wild about whales? Sea otters position their feet based on their body heat. The mammals have thick, protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. A river otter's metabolic rate is approximately 50% higher than a similarly sized land mammal's, while a sea otter's metabolic rate may be as much as 25 times higher. Did you know… We have over 220 college Otters are dependent on water, and are thus confined to perennials streams. If a sea otter was placed into a boreal forest, it would cause several disadvantages. Sea otters spend a great deal of time floating on their backs at the surface. This system may aid otters in conserving body heat. Diet and Habitat Sea otters live nearshore in two distinct areas of the Pacific ocean: near Russia and Alaska, and near central California. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. The higher metabolic rate necessitates a higher caloric intake. They have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. In fact, at 850,000 to one million hairs per square inch, they have the thickest fur of any mammal. The largest otter is the giant otter. Sea otters are mammals that spend most of their lives in the ocean. Such extended dives are probably a response to danger. This arrangement allows hairs to interlock. These whiskers detect the smallest vibrations in water caused by fish and other animals. They have really long whiskers on their faces. Danielle has a PhD in Natural Resource Sciences and a MSc in Biological Sciences. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. They eat, sleep, mate and give birth in the water. Their feet are webbed to make swimming easier, and their nostrils and ears even close shut under water to prevent water from getting in. Most of a sea otter’s life is spent at sea, though they do occasionally haul out on land, where they appear clumsy and walk with a rather awkward gait. study Come face-to-face with the wonders of wildlife through species-focused episodes and related classroom activities. Hailshadow / Getty Images Habitat and Distribution . Sea otters' bodies have developed over the years to get used to living in the water. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. Sea otters spend most of their time floating on their backs at the surface grooming, eating, resting, and diving for food on the seafloor. The sea otter has made many adaptations to survive better in its habitat. 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. Sea otters are the heaviest of the 13 otter species (giant otters are the longest). These The male otters are polygynous which means they mate with more then one female groups are known as rafts. The species of otter that occurs in Ireland is called the Eurasian otter and is found in Europe and across Asia to China and Japan. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} This behavior reduces heat loss, and the feet can absorb radiant heat from the sun. One thing the river otter must do is care for that warm, waterproof coat. An otter's dense fur affords some insulation, … The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. This insulating layer of air, combined with sebaceous secretions of the skin and the dense, interlocking arrangement of the underhairs, prevents water from penetrating to the skin. Sea otters also have adaptations to make them better hunters. Th… When they're hot, they spread their feet out under water to maximize heat loss. Without sea otters, sea urchins can overpopulate the sea floor and devour the kelp forests that provide cover and food for many other marine animals. They travel over snow and ice using a combination of running and sliding. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Habitat. A sea otter's tail is flatter at the end to help it swim faster under water, allowing them to chase their food, and their teeth are flat to help crush foods. 's' : ''}}. Otters prefer to live in bodies of water that are close to land offering them wetlands or the woods close by. Professional and amateur athletes alike make the annual pilgrimage to Sea Otter to participate in some of the sport’s most competitive and enduring events. There have been many ecologically disruptive consequences from conventional resource management plans. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Create your account, Already registered? All otters have higher metabolic rates than land mammals of similar size, and generate more body heat. Sea otters usually remain submerged for 52 to 90 seconds; the longest recorded dive was 4 minutes, 25 seconds. Sea Otters :: MarineBio Video Library Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) Researchers have observed giant otters swimming at speeds up to 14.4 kph (9 mph). A river otter's metabolic rate is approximately 50% higher than a similarly sized land mammal's, while a sea otter's metabolic rate may be as much as 25 times higher. This system traps a layer of air next to their skin so their skin does not get wet. They have four legs to move easily on land, and a long tail to swim through the water. Southern sea otters inhabit shallow nearshore coastal ecosystems within 1-2 km from shore. Keep reading to learn more unique facts about the sea otter. Did you know that sea otters have the densest fur out of any animal? Download free teacher guides to keep students learning in a hands-on way: includes vocabulary, classroom activities, goals and objectives. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Behavioral Adaptations - Sea Otters Sea Otter live in packs that are the same gender as them. You read that right! Browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and zoo careers. The tail is shaped smaller, so that it is able to take up less surface area. 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. Come with us on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. - Formation, Origin & Formula, Soil Contamination: Treatment, Phytoremediation & Bioremediation, Soil Contamination: Definition, Sources & Prevention, Quiz & Worksheet - Textual & Non-Textual Scientific Presentations, What is a Constant in Science? They also have really good eyesight and can see both under water and on land. Alaska sea otters in the Aleutians commonly forage at depths of 40 m (131 ft.) or more, while California sea otters are seldom found in water deeper than 20 m (66 ft.). River otters use their tails as rudder while swimming. Sea Otter Adaptations: Quiz & Worksheet for Kids, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Oceanic Animal Adaptations: Lesson for Kids, Electric Eel Adaptations: Lesson for Kids, Biological and Biomedical The fifth digit on each hind foot is longest, facilitating swimming while on its back, but making walking difficult. The sea otter has a lot of insulating fur to keep warm. An unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens.... The ocean can be a Study.com Member is the way their tail is shaped smaller, 14-33! Integrated Taxonomic information system ( ITIS ) hind feet, which provide most of its time in the Monterey,! 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