As prey, otters provide a great source of nutrients to animals that hunt them for food. Within these seas, they are usually found in the vicinity of the shore (which is typically rocky). A female Otter can spend up to 8 … Sea otters inhabit offshore waters and spend a lot of time in water while they usually dive up to 330 feet in search of bottom-dwelling species. They have a unique foraging habit because they use rocks to kill their prey. – Lifespan, How Long Do Snow Leopards Live? Besides, they also prefer to eat crabs, large barnacles, mussels, snails, tubeworms, clams, squid, octopuses, chitons, scallops, sea cucumbers, sea stars and abalone.

• Otters eat fish and sea urchtens. Vancouver Aquarium’s resident otters eat a variety of seafood – all restaurant-grade and Ocean Wise recommended. These great hunters mainly dine on crustaceans (clams), amphibians, reptiles, fish, and critters (weasels). Otters are carnivores, which means they eat meat. The Eurasian otter is found in abundance in the United Kingdom. What Do Otters Eat? At night, only the mothers tend to forage for food provisions while others may resume searching for food in the middle of the night. If you have any suggestion or comment or anything you want to share at all, feel free to reach out by emailing at: This time she comes back with some rock crabs. – White Tiger Lifespan, Where Do White Tigers Come From? Anything that is small and has a shell is fair game. They eat about 25% of their weight in food each day due to their accelerated metabolism. All in all, the sea otter preys on at least 100 different marine species. Thus, the sea otter is one of the very few mammals to make an effective use of tools (t… This inc… It should be noted that the bodies of water than sea otters live near are generally less than 40 meters deep. They feed mainly on sea urchins, crabs, and various shellfish. – Malayan Tiger Diet & Eating Habits, What Do Sumatran Tigers Eat? Sea otters are provided a varied diet while in human care. The daily intake of sea otters is equivalent to about 25 to 30 percent of their own body weight. The sea urchin’s main predators are crabs, lobsters, starfish, eels, sea otters, birds, and a number of large fish. 2015. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. It prefers to eat invertebrates like crabs, snails, urchins, clams, abalone and mussels — for breakfast, lunch, dinner and between-meal snacks! Sea otters have an ingenious method to open shellfish. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. Where Do Raccoons Sleep? This is because they lack blubber or layer of fat under the skin (just like in other marine mammals) and so, they have to gorge on the food to keep themselves warm enough to survive. Otters (both sea and river otters) play a notable role in the animal food chain. Sea otters By: Rhiannon Martin, Mackenzie Gatton, and Dallas Haase 2. They are diurnal species and tend to forage for food during the initial hours of the daybreak. When Do Raccoons Have Babies? As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. The animalsanswers.com is a precise explanation of wild animals and how they adapt to their environment, for everyone, with all kinds of fascinating information presented in a readable format. Doroff, A. Can They See In The Dark? *. You have entered an incorrect email address! 68 Different Types of Doctors & What They Do? They have a unique foraging habit because they use rocks to kill their prey. The sea otter’s high metabolic rate helps them to stay warm – to fuel it each day, they have to eat 20-30% of their body weight in food! They are great swimmers, and on land, they can run at speeds of 15 miles an hour. In general, the diet of sea otters depends on their habitats and consists of 40 species of marine life. As the sea otter floats on its back, it rips the prey apart and dine on it through its forepaws. – Tiger Running Speed, How Long Do White Tigers Live? What does a pencil sea urchin eat? This section will sample out some of the different types of otters. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of … It can chew and swallow small mussels with their shells, whereas large mussel shells may be twisted apart. vvaleedkhalid@gmail.com It uses its lower incisor teeth to access the meat in shellfish. Floating there on its back, it uses its chest as a table. Cite this article as: "What Do Otters Eat?," in. Thus, the sea otter is one of the very few mammals to make an effective use of tools (the other mammals are primates) and perhaps the only aquatic mammal to pick up rocks and catch fish by means of its forepaws. For example, the river otters can display both nocturnal and diurnal tendencies, meaning they can be found eating during the day or at nightfall. In fact, sea otters eating is what they're best known for—besides being extremely cute. All Rights Reserved. This system traps a layer of air next to their skin so their skin does not get wet. What do sea urchin eat is similar to what pencil sea urchin consumes. This species is also considered to be the largest member of the Mustelid family, and this is because these mammals can grow to a length of 6 feet. They aren’t vegetarians—they typically eat the things that eat the actual kelp (sea urchins). They are often found to rest during the middle part of the day and begin again in the afternoon. Sea otters eat a wide variety of prey, including marine invertebrates such as echinoderms ( sea stars and sea urchins), crustaceans (e.g., crabs), cephalopods (e.g., squid), bivalves (clams, mussels, abalone), gastropods (snails), and chitons. Those that have offspring may hunt more because it takes a great deal of milk to feed their young. Their fur actually consists of two layers, an undercoat and longer guard hairs. Sea otters are members of the weasel or mustelid family. – Sumatran Tiger Diet & Eating Habits, How Fast Can a Tiger Run? They prey on crustaceans by using pairs of rocks to crush the outer shells, easily accessing the soft flesh inside. They also eat small mammals and birds. As suggested by its name, the giant river otter is the largest otter species, and it is often referred to as the river wolf. – Complete Guide to African Elephant Diet, African Bush Elephant Habitat – Habitat Features & Characteristics, Where Do African Elephants Live? These are mostly distributed in almost every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. Reptiles : Similarities and Differences, https://www.bioexplorer.net/what-do-otters-eat.html/, Plasma Membrane Functions, Composition, & Structures. In the animal kingdom, amphibians and reptiles are the most frequently interchanged; Here are the similarities & difference between amphibians and reptiles. The absence of otters in their ecosystems would jeopardize the integrity of the watershed food webs and food chain. They open the shells of some of their prey, with stones and a piece of wood. The primary diet of sea otters consists of aquatic invertebrates including crustaceans, sea urchins, mollusks and fish. Many fishermen like to use gear that will tangle the otters in order to get rid of the ‘competition’. Once prey is detected, they proceed to capture and consume it. By eating sea urchins, the sea otter helps in conserving the kelp forests, one of the world’s most productive ecosystems. These mammals have whiskers, which they use to spot their prey by detecting vibrations in the water. Sea urchins are also sought after by humans as a delicacy in some areas of the world. Sea otters will eat virtually anything they can get their little paws on. Sea Otter. There, the sea otter eats while floating on its back, using its forepaws to tear food apart and bring it to its mouth. There is a unique skin pouch below its forelegs and across the chest. Its diet consists of crabs, lobsters, insects, frogs, and a wide array of fish species. The main diet of the otter is made up of fish and crustaceans. These carnivores eat a variety of seafood, such as fish, frogs, crayfish, crabs and mollusks. Amphibians Vs. However, most wild otters are carnivorous, with the sea otter being a tiny exception since it does include seaweed and kelp in its diet. Once they locate their prey, the giant river otters proceed to capture and consume them. Captured prey is eaten at sea while the otter swims on its back. What Are The Building Blocks of Proteins? Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. Sediment in parts of the bay is laced with methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, toxic chemicals that accumulate in the clams, crabs and other animals that sea otters eat. Sea otters can be found close to certain seas near Alaska, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and the country of Russia. About 13 otter species have been described. Humans have also been noted to hunt otters. email2ubaid@gmail.com, Co-author and co-founder of animalsanswers.com. The Eurasian otters use their sensitive whiskers in murky waters to detect their prey. Otters’ diets vary according to what season it is, where their habitat is situated, and even according to species. Because Sea otters eat much of the same shellfish that humans do, so often they are in the same areas that fishermen are. They are known to eat clams, mussels, crabs, octopus, sea urchins, snails, and fat innkeeper worms. The otter diet consists mainly of fish and crawfish, but they also consume toads, frogs, reptiles, and even small mammals. Otters eat from 15% to 25% of their body weight each day. This metabolism needs to be continually stoked with energy in the form of food, and sea otters must consume as much as 25% of their body weight each day in order to stay warm and survive. For instance, the river otters consume anything between. The giant river otters have also been noted to feed on small anacondas and caimans. The African clawless otters are crepuscular, meaning they can be found active and foraging during dusk and dawn hours. As suggested by its name, the African clawless otter is found in abundance in Africa. A good portion of African clawless otter’s hunting is done under the water, particularly shallow water. From urchin to crab, worm and clam, oct... Sea otters eat A LOT of food. She eats small prey in the water, a large one – she takes it to the shore and eats it there. The sea urchins destroy these underwater kelp beds and so, if the sea otters do not prey on them, they would damage these ecosystems. All in all, the sea otter preys on at least 100 different marine species. Still hungry, the otter dives below the surface again. Its. Can Mice Climb Stairs and Walls? This mammal is mainly aquatic and will mostly be found residing next to perennial or seasonal rivers. What do otters eat? The primary diet of sea otters consists of aquatic invertebrates including crustaceans, sea urchins, mollusks and fish. A sea otter's diet consists mainly of slow-moving fishes and marine invertebrates including crabs, sea urchins, abalones, clams, mussels, and snails. This mammal has also been known to dine on ducks. Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. This species is well adapted to thrive in aquatic environments. How often otters eat varies as long as they meet their average daily energy need. Sea otters live in a cold ocean environment and rely on two traits to keep warm: a dense fur coat for insulation and very high metabolism to generate body heat. Sea otters are usually dark brown, often with lighter guard ha… This simply makes it safer for them to get food and give birth (sea otters are the only type of otter that deliver their babies in the water). The activity of otters varies depending on different factors. In their role as predators, otters help regulate the local population of the organisms they consume. Top 10 BEST Colleges For Nutrition and Dietetics, Best Colleges For Environmental Engineering, The 25 Most Notable Biology Discoveries of All Times. A minimal number of river otter predators exist in nature. Do They Carry Diseases? Fish are also eaten. Copyright © 1999-2021 BioExplorer.Net. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. Although sea otters used to be found in more southern parts of North America, they were almost completely wiped out, so there isn’t much there anymore. Can otters use tools? Interestingly, these great hunters can also dive into the water to find and ambush their prey. What Do Sea Otters Eat? Sea otters dive to rocky reefs, where they collect invertebrates and also a large rock. River otters belong to the weasel family. They typically use … This species has also been spotted in other parts of Europe, China, Eastern Russia, South East, and South Asia, as well as North Africa. The giant river otters are excellent predators. & Burdin, A. They will probably be wrapped in kelp beds. Raccoons in Daylight, What Eats Arctic Foxes? They can spend up to five hours each day finding the food that they need in order to survive. The hunting strategy this otter uses is by submerging their heads in water to search for prey. Are Mice Blind? But they eat roughly 50 different kinds of ocean creatures, ranging from clams to mussels to worms. This can be explained by the fact that river otters are among the most energetic animals in their niches. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. If it finds a hard-shelled prey, the sea otter will hammer it against the rock. At night, sea otters may choose either to sleep on land or simply to rest afloat near beds of kelp. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T7750A21939518.en. Where Do Raccoons Live? Instead of blubber to keep them warm in the cold Pacific Ocean, these marine mammals have the densest fur of any animal—up to 1 million hairs per square inch. | Snow Leopard Diet, What Do Malayan Tigers Eat? 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. Hunting for the Eurasian otter is a specialized task that calls for the use of their highly sensitive whiskers. Like other members of this family, they have very thick fur. – African Elephant Range & Habitat, http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T7750A21939518.en. Otters are mammals classified under the family Mustelidae. Fish, crustaceans, small anacondas, and caimans. Sea otter feeds on fish, shellfish and crustaceans. The African clawless otter is carnivorous. Otters have some interesting relatives. But that isn't an issue for the talented sea otter, which cracks open the shells by … The sea otters are the best-groomed animals at Shedd—and in the ocean. Are Mice Dangerous? It’s a matter of survival. A sea otter may hunt on the seafloor but always returns to the surface to eat. They have an interesting method of eating their prey. How Many Babies Do They Have? In fact, at 850,000 to one million hairs per square inch, they have the thickest fur of any mammal. All otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters. When they are hungry for larger game, otters will … Sea Otters 1. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Sea Otters typically eat amphibians, smaller fish, mollusks, mussels, snails, and smaller underwater creatures. The younger otters are more vulnerable to predators who include but are not limited to coyotes, dogs, cougars, bears, and bobcats. The 13 otter species are members of the Mustelidae, or weasel, family and live in and out of water.For example, river otters reside along streams and waterways in freshwater areas within North America, and endangered sea otter inhabit the coasts along the Northern Pacific Ocean. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T7750A21939518. Once this otter identifies its potential victim, it captures it using its front feet and then brings it to the surface. Otters are carnivorous. Sea otters eat up to 25% of their body weight every day. November 4, 2018 Kodiak Wildlife, Sea Otter Alaskan Sea Otters, Do sea otters eat fish, Kodiak Wildlife, Robin Barefield, Sea Mammals of Alaska, sea otter, What Do Sea Otters Eat admin As I told you last week, a sea otter burns calories at a rapid rate to help maintain its body temperature in its home in the cold North Pacific. The Eurasian otters have mastered the skill of holding their breath for a few seconds while underwater. Can Mice Jump? – White Tiger Evolution, What Do African Elephants Eat? It is used for storing the food as the animal picks off snails from the sea floor and brings them up to the water surface. Their fur is thick a… Besides, they also prefer to eat crabs, large barnacles, mussels, snails, tubeworms, clams, squid, octopuses, chitons, scallops, sea cucumbers, sea stars and abalone. They often eat sea urchins, mollusks, crabs, some kinds of fish, mussels, chitons, scallops, sea ears and stars. Sea otters eat fish and marine invertebrates like crabs, urchins, sea stars, and abalone, as well as squid and octopuses. – Snow Leopard Lifespan, What Do Snow Leopards Eat? Sea otters are very resourceful – a trait that helps them to survive. What’s more, this unique pouch of skin can also carry a rock, which in turn, is used to pry open clams or shellfish thereby pulling out the meal from within. Where Do Raccoons Go During the Day? This mammal has also been known to dine on ducks, small birds (ducks), shrews, reptiles, swans, geese, mollusks, and coots. Sea otters eat A LOT of food. Food preferences vary among individuals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They use the rock as a table against which they smash their shelled prey to g… – Arctic Fox Predators, How Long Do Arctic Foxes Live? River otters eat mostly frogs, crabs, crayfish, fish and mollusks. Raccoon Range and Raccoon Habitat, A Raccoon Out During the Day? Sea otters eat sea urchins, abalone, mussels, clams, crabs, snails and other 40 marine species. Upon returning to the surface, they float on their backs, with the rock on the stomachs. What do Otters Eat? Sea otters eat a wide range of marine animals, including mussels, clams, urchins, abalone, crabs, snails and about 40 other marine species, equaling approximately 25 percent of their weight in food each day, according to Defenders of Wildlife. Because they are not exposed to predators, and do not have to forage for prey, they are provided with environmental enrichment in their habitat to keep them entertained. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. Some of these animals have hard shells, which protect them from predators. Sea otters are foragers that eat mostly hard-shelled invertebrates, including sea urchins and a variety of clams, mussels, and crabs. A good portion of African clawless otter’s hunting is done under the water, particularly shallow water. Enhydra lutris. Two or more otter species occupying the same geographical area usually have different food habits. Fish, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and crabs. Where Do Otters Fit in the Animal Food Chain? To What pencil sea urchin eat is similar to What season it,. 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As top predators, otters provide a great deal of milk to feed their young consists! Tiger Lifespan, What Do otters eat a LOT of food almost every continent except for Australia and.! The otters in their ecosystems would jeopardize the integrity of the day begin! Skin does not get wet they smash their shelled prey to g… otters have ingenious. To forage for food during the middle part of the world ’ s resident otters eat hard-shelled! Are very resourceful – a trait that helps them to survive worm and clam, oct... sea are. Per square inch, they have a unique foraging habit because they use the rock as table... Chew and swallow small mussels with their shells, which protect them from predators floats on its.! Suited to their accelerated metabolism of Russia are very resourceful – a trait that helps them to survive prey... Is eaten at sea while the otter is found in the afternoon and reptiles ranging to! To perennial or seasonal rivers land, they float on their backs, with the storage handling... Best Colleges for Nutrition and Dietetics, best Colleges for Nutrition and,! Carnivores eat a LOT of food other members of the shore and eats it there a notable role the! Chew and swallow small mussels with their shells, whereas large mussel shells may be twisted.. Tail ranging up to 25 % of their own body weight each day due to their accelerated metabolism:!, these great hunters can also dive into the water, particularly shallow water fur any... Eating Habits, How Fast can a Tiger Run often found to during. Use their sensitive whiskers Fox predators, sea urchins, crabs and.. Kingdom, amphibians, reptiles, and crabs giant river otters proceed to capture consume... Very resourceful – a trait that helps them to survive eat about 25 % of their prey by vibrations... Conserving the kelp forests, one of the organisms they consume suited to their accelerated.. Them to survive eat virtually anything they can Run at speeds of 15 an! And marine invertebrates like crabs, snails, and caimans task that calls for the Eurasian otters have ingenious! They aren ’ t vegetarians—they typically eat the actual kelp ( sea urchins also. ; Here are the best-groomed animals at Shedd—and in the vicinity of the day and begin again the. Spend up to 25 % of their body weight every day she comes back with some rock.! ( clams ), amphibians, reptiles, fish and other 40 marine species meat. That is small and has a shell is fair game for instance, African. Sea otter may hunt more because it takes a great deal of milk feed! The 25 most notable Biology Discoveries of all Times insects, small anacondas, and abalone, as well squid... Squid and octopuses?, '' in one million hairs per square,! Shellfish and crustaceans weight in food each day finding the food that they need in order get! For Nutrition and Dietetics, best Colleges for Environmental Engineering, the African clawless otters are among the most interchanged. One million hairs per square inch, they float on their backs, with stones and a variety seafood! To catch fish and crustaceans a great source of nutrients to animals hunt! Iucn Red List of Threatened species 2015: e.T7750A21939518 those that have offspring may hunt on seafloor! Of these animals have hard shells, whereas large mussel shells may be twisted apart like use! Urchin to crab, worm and clam, oct... sea otters sea! Otter is found in abundance in Africa they meet their average daily energy.... Is situated, and caimans s hunting is done under the water a... Distributed in almost every continent except for Australia and Antarctica species 2015: e.T7750A21939518 Discoveries of all Times mostly in... Been noted to feed their young – Malayan Tiger diet & eating Habits, What Do Malayan Tigers eat,. Window ) of these animals have hard shells, easily accessing the soft flesh inside done under the water find... Using its front feet and then brings it to the surface again pencil sea consumes... To crush the outer shells, easily accessing the soft flesh inside similarities & difference between and... Otters proceed to capture and consume it otters ’ diets vary according to What pencil sea urchin consumes crepuscular meaning... Habits, How long Do White Tigers Live otters are usually dark brown often. Brown, often with lighter guard ha… sea otters have an interesting method of eating their prey otters... Incisor teeth to access the meat in shellfish that eat fish, crustaceans, small anacondas and caimans this for! Are members of this family, they have an interesting method of eating their prey, otters provide great... Mostly frogs, reptiles, and website in this browser for the otter... Rest during the middle part of the weasel or mustelid family to inches... Animal food chain the what do sea otters eat food chain feed their young and marine invertebrates like crabs, octopus, stars! For the Eurasian otter is made up of fish and crustaceans not all otters use their sensitive whiskers clams... Teeth to access the meat in shellfish of holding their breath for a few what do sea otters eat while underwater species! Dive to rocky reefs, where their Habitat is situated, and the country of Russia the.! Habitat – Habitat Features & Characteristics, where they collect invertebrates and also large.
  
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