The season for mating depends on the region where they live. They have incomplete webbing between the fingers. Rice farmers are tolerant of these otters because they feed on crayfish that can damage rice fields. Otters .. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. They thrive in warm, coastal waters and usually remain within a kilometer from the shore. They can hold their breath underwater for about five minutes at a time. Includes easy to read sentences for early readers. The evergreen trees and shrubs, also commonly called mangroves, thrive in mud or sand flats that are flooded daily with sea water. What better way to celebrate these slippery sea weasels than by basking in their adorableness and learning some fun facts about our furry friends! Sea otters are part of the weasel family. Sea otters love cracking open mollusks like these and even use tools to crack them open. They often float in the kelp forests, wrapping kelp around their bodies to anchor them in that spot. LIFE CYCLE: Male sea otters live between 10 and 15 years, while females live slightly longer, from 15 to 20 years. Our ocean faces many threats like the onslaught of ocean trash, overfishing and ocean acidification. Two sleeping sea otters holding hands so they do not float apart. Adult males reach an average length of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) with a typical weight between 50 and 100 lbs (23 to 45 kg), while adult females reach an average length of 4 feet (1.2 m) and typically weigh 45 lbs (20 kg). The most comprehensive image search on the web. Otter (Sea) Otter (Sea) Saved by Exploring Nature Eduational Resource. https://www.dkfindout.com/us/animals-and-nature/otters/, https://www.activewild.com/sea-otter-facts/, Fun Fact: baby otters have to be taught how to dive and swim by their mothers …, http://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/71202603185. They use the rock as a table against which they smash their shelled prey to g… They are fast and agile both in the water and on land. Depending on where they live, predators could include large cats and snakes, alligators or caimans, domestic dogs, or eagles. Georank. They are classified as of Least Concern. These charming marine mammals are a contrast of extremes. The 13 species range in adult size from 0.6 to 1.8 m (2.0 to 5.9 ft) in length and 1 to 45 kg (2.2 to 99.2 lb) in weight. New. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4m in length. Make a difference for sea otters, the ocean they call home, and the ecosystem we all depend on by making a donation today. It has a highly buoyant, elongated body, blunt snout and small, wide head. Text HELP to 69866 for more information. They have an interesting method of eating their prey. The otter is the smallest marine animal but they can get up to five feet long and weigh up to around 70 pounds. Sea otters have an acute sense of smell and taste an… Sea otter mother with baby and male, big sur, california, usa. They are classified as Endangered. Otters carry large stones between their forepaws on these dives, used to dislodge prey and to break open shells. When sleeping, sea otters are known to hold hands to keep from drifting apart while asleep. Happy National Sea Otter Awareness Week! They hold their food in their hands as they eat, and although they crush the shells of crabs and molluscs with their strong back teeth, they are known to leave them in the sun for a while so that the shells open up in the heat. According to www.worldwildlife.org, “ sea otters will spend their entire life without leaving the water, but on occasion some come ashore and rest”. Msg & data rates may apply. This system traps a layer of air next to their skin so their skin does not get wet. has a very unique life history and reproduction cycle.. Sea Otters have a polygynous mating system and show highly significant sexual dimorphism. Otters are alert, and their sensitive whiskers can detect movement of any predators in the water. As a keystone species in many ecosystems, sea otters are a critical part of maintaining our ocean’s ecosystem. Orientation. The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammals, but one of the largest members of the family Mustelidae, a group that includes skunks and weasels among others. Said every sea otter ever because these cuties tend to hold hands while they rest so that they won’t drift away. This species is the most widespread of the otters and are found from parts of Asia such as Sri Lanka and Indonesia, through Europe right up to the Arctic Circle, and in North Africa. Their teeth are different from those of other otters,  adapted for crushing shellfish and the bones of large fish. kidcyber provides links to other web pages, selected and examined for their appropriateness, to provide more information about a particular topic. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. Asian short-clawed otters are classified as Vulnerable. Otters are part of the mammal family called mustelids, which includes ferrets, badgers, minks and weasels. They  spend most of their time in the water, particularly sea otters, which spend only a little time on land. They also live near beaches and shores and mangroves. Only 2% of sea otter births are multiples. Hairy-nosed otters are endangered, and their numbers decreasing. Recent books written together include Using the Library 1, 2 & 3; Thinking Through Themes (4 titles: Air, Fire, Water, Earth); and The Perfect School Project, published by and available at Teaching Solutions. They are curious, and spend time investigating things, hunting, or playing with things they find. But right now, their population is at risk from oil spills, disease, and predation. After about a month, their eyes are open and they begin exploring the den. River otters are slimmer and sleeker with a long tail. They also eat frogs, small mammals, snakes and insects. The diet of Asian short-clawed otters is mainly crabs, other crustaceans, molluscs and fish. There is an outer layer of longer fur that is waterproof. Welcome to www.kidcyber.com.au, a website established in 1999 for primary students and teachers. They have very thick fur – near about 250,000 to one million hair per square inch. Water and ocean pollution affects them, particularly oil spills at sea. Otters are ready to reproduce when they are from 2 to 3 years of age. Sea otter rafts are segregated: Groups of between two and 1,000 otters are either all males or females and their young. Make a difference for sea otters, the ocean they call home, and the ecosystem we all depend on by making a donation today. Like most other mammals, sea otters will live based on if there is a good food supply. A sea otter’s pelt is the thickest of any mammal. Life Cycle. Sea otters often sleep floating on their backs on the surface, often in large groups called rafts. In California, the weight of a female is 45 lbs and of a male otte… Sea otter diet includes sea urchins, abalone, octopus, snails, clams and mussels. Vector Illustration . These otters choose territories in areas with equal amounts of land and running water. The sea otter is born an otter and grows just like we do. Sea otters typically do not swim alone, they usually swim in rafts, all of them floating together. In a healthy ecosystem, everything has its place. They have so much fur, they are too buoyant to stay underwater. They are  found in north-western and south-western India; southern China including Hainan, a large island off the south China coast; the Malay Peninsula; the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo; the Riau islands; and Palawan Island in the Philippines. Otters are born otters but grow and develop into bigger otters. 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. Jeff Foott / Getty Images Behavior . Sea otters are native to the coasts along the eastern and northern Pacific Ocean. Female california sea otter with her baby/infant and a male otter are seen in the kelp on a cold Sea otter … The average gestation period is six months. Relevance. This species have a wide range of habitats with nearby land area suitable for their resting and grooming, including coastal areas, rivers, streams, fjords, and ricefields. They feed several times a day because they are such energetic animals. This makes up for its lack of blubber in the cold Pacific water. Otters must spend a lot of time grooming this top layer. It is possible there are some in Lao, Malaysia and other places in Indonesia. Close to their skin there is a thick layer of fur that traps air. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family In fact, at 850,000 to one million hairs per square inch, they have the thickest fur of any mammal. Sea otter holding a rock that it uses to open shells ©Getty Images. They are seriously threatened by rapid habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution. Your support can make a difference! The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows 10% of the number of words on this website to be reproduced and/or communicated by any Australian educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or the body that administers it) has given a Notice to Copyright Agency under part VB of the Act. Rolling in the grass or against logs is fun, but it also is a way of keeping their fur in good condition. They float on their backs, and crack open mussel and clam shells with a rock they hold on their stomachs.Sea otters eat about one quarter of their body weight each day. If so desired, buyers can even have their Rapha Cycle Club member number printed on to the frame, too. We’re dedicated to working with indigenous communities, legislators, scientists and people like you to advocate for science-based solutions to protect this fragile ecosystem. This set contains 32 clipart files in both color and black and white.This download contains some of the following graphics. If pollution like this continues to make its way into the ocean, sea otters and other animals can confuse it with food, get tangled up, and injure themselves. They are found in a variety of habitats in Africa, including rainforests  and open plains in areas with water such as rivers, canals, reservoirs and lakes. Photo gallery: 2019 Sea Otter Classic, Part one. 34. They are also at home in rice paddies and in mangroves. Floating freely on its back, the sea otter seems like the very picture of serenity, but they are quite voracious predators and need to eat a lot to sustain their lifestyle. As well as fish, freshwater otters hunt and eat frogs, crayfish, crabs and molluscs. Even a baby sea otter can stay warm on the open ocean, but they do need some help from their mothers. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean. At about two months of age, they are taught to swim by their mother. When they are about a year old, they are independent and head off on their own. All . Otters are playful, energetic animals. They easily run on land and swim doggie-style. Asian short-clawed otter feeding ©Getty Images. Otters live in groups consisting of a female, her older young, and her latest pups. Otters live in groups consisting of a female, her older young, and her latest pups. Unlike other marine mammals, sea otters do not have a layer of blubber to keep them warm. Using their sensitive front paws, they dig around in the mud and under stones to find their prey. Level 15, 233 Castlereagh Street Sydney NSW 2000 Telephone: +612 9394 7600 Facsimile: +612 9394 7601 E-mail: info@copyright.com.au, Except as permitted under the Act (for example for the services of the Crown or in reliance on one of the fair dealing exceptions i.e. Mangrove swamps are found along tropical and subtropical coastlines, usually in bays protected from heavy waves, freshwater areas where rivers meet the sea. Sea otters are social, and hang out together in groups called rafts. For school or homeschooling projects or just reading for interest. (Credit: Karen C Drayer Wildlife Center, University of California, Davis) The biggest male sea otter can weigh up to 100 pounds. The small, helpless, blind young are called pups. They are the smallest of 13 species of otter,  known by a number of names including oriental small-clawed otter,  short-clawed otter or small-clawed otter. 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. There are 13 species, or kinds, of otter, on every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. again or contact 1.888.780.6763. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Ocean Action Network, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance and Rippl are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. Easy to understand text for student research, including material for primary school students K-6Easy to navigate formatUnits of work and lesson plans for teachers on a variety of topics in key learning areaskidcyberQuests: student webquest assignments with links to information sites for research, project ideas, evaluation'Ask a kidcyber Researcher' feature where students can request specific information about a topicAdvice to parents about helping with school homework assignments and projects. kidcyber has no control over the information at these sites or links made from them to others sites, which might be considered inappropriate by some people. Sea Otters give birth throughout the year, there is three factors that may effect when the female gives birth those are: the weather, amount of food available, and the location. Their back feet are used to steer them in the water. The benefits that a heavy sea otter presence provides to seagrass, among others, is one of the many reasons they are deemed keystone species — that is, species that hold an ecosystem together. Saved from exploringnature ... . They prefer the shoreline to the deeper waters. FEEDING: Underneath each of the sea otter's powerful front paws is a pouch to store food collected during foraging dives. They have webbed feet and flat tails for swimming. Female sea otters can have two babies born at once, however they usually will abandon one of them. Similar Images . Their fur actually consists of two layers, an undercoat and longer guard hairs. DISCLAIMER: In the interest of a safe, educational online experience. For details of the CAL licence for educational institutions contact: Copyright Agency. They swim mostly on their backs or sides so they can see underwater and above. They are just over 1m long, have fully webbed feet and strong claws. The heaviest of the otter species. Otters have long, streamlined bodies and long , flattish tails that move side to side to propel them through the water. kidcyber cannot be held responsible for inappropriate sites Note: all kidcyber topics are regularly checked, updated and added to, so keep checking out this website. Jun 9, 2016 - Explore Jenna Raski's board "Sea Otters" on Pinterest. The heaviest of the otter species. Discover the science behind the cute. Unlike other marine mammals, sea otters do not have a layer of blubber to keep them warm. Otters are crucial in maintaining healthy kelp by eating the predators, like crabs, that prey on slugs that clean the algae from kelp, as well as sea urchins that lay waste to kelp forests and create urchin barrens. Sea otters are members of the weasel or mustelid family. All otters are amphibious (say am-fib-ee-us) which means they are equally at home on land and in the water. With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing solutions to save our ocean. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. Instead, the fur is very thick, the thickest of all animals. The fur traps air bubbles to help keep them warm. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. The life cycle of the parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, how it contaminates coastal waters and infects... [+] wild sea otters. An imbalance can destroy the ecosystem. Sea otter is the heaviest and the second smallest aquatic member of weasel family. They are the largest of the otter species, but not as heavy as the sea otter. Sea otter life cycle: The otter does not go through stages to become an otter like some animals, for example a frog. 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.) ©Getty. If this layer becomes matted and clogged with oil or other substances, it could prevent the animal staying warm, and it would affect its hunting ability. See more ideas about otters, sea otter, otter art. The Asian short-clawed otters are considered to be the most vocal of the otters. Upon returning to the surface, they float on their backs, with the rock on the stomachs. Periodic messages. Sea otters are classified as Endangered but stable, and today are found  in shallow  coastal seas in Canada, Russia, Japan,  and the US states of Alaska, Washington and California. Enhydra lutris. This is a medium sized otter about which little is known. Currently, the species has stable populations in Alaska, alon… They close their nostrils and ears when they are underwater. From holding paws to rubbing their faces, sea otters are otter-ly adorable. Terms and Conditions. a fair dealing for the purposes of research or study) no part of this website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Their habitat  is next to rivers and streams, in wetlands, and estuaries (an estuary is a partly enclosed area of water with rivers running into it, and connected to the sea). As long as they have nearby fresh water to wash the salt off their fur, they also hunt in sea water. We are authors (together, individually and with others) of numerous books for teachers and kids, published in Australia and overseas. The term ‘mangrove’ refers to a both habitat and its plants. The object is for the sea otters to cross the ocean three times and get a sea urchin each time without being "eaten" (tagged) by an orca whale. Mobile alerts from Ocean Conservancy. The sea otter spends most of its life at sea. 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Otters ocean Unit sea Colour Science Projects life Cycles learn to Draw Nature Pictures Creative art Wildlife everything has place. Slightly longer, from 15 to 20 years of the body length are flooded daily with sea water small...
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