Alternately, it may come from an old term for an overhanging rock where fishlike troutcan hide. It's unclear when this phrase was invented, with examples dating to the late 19th century. Look out for muddy, semi-circular slides on the side of the river. 10. They eat meat and hunt for fish and small animals, so they have sharp claws and teeth that allow them to catch prey, then eat them. If otters are drawn to areas with these characteristics, it is easier to attract them to otters refuges. 6. There are 13 different types of otters around the world, the most common of which is the oriental small-clawed otter. Norse mythology tells of the dwarf tr habitually taking the form of an otter. Their thick fur traps air and makes them buoyant. Sea otters are estimated to have undergone a decline of over 50 percent over the past 45 years, according to the IUCN. (5 kg), according to the San Diego Zoo. And the name for a group of yuma myotis is called a cloud. When theyre in the water, a group of otters is known as a raft. Considering scientists have only just recently begun thinking they could decipher whale calls, we'd say the gam's gammon is pretty effective. Unlike most other marine mammals, otters lack ablubber layer. The otter's diet is mostly made up of fish, particularly eels and salmonids (salmon, trout, chars, and graylings), though it happily eats waterbirds such as coots and moorhens if given the chance. Much of their food is found in water. If an otter notices you, it probably means youre too close. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. Satherium They stayed relatively common in parts of Scotland and Ireland, but numbers in England reached a low point in the 1980s. During the day, otters are frequently left lying on the ground in a riverbank. They're more commonly called a swarm, but a scourge sounds just as accurate. Because they spent so much time in cold water, they have to groom their fur often to stop themselves from freezing. They are found throughout most of North They are also very curious and like to investigate new things. If just one hummingbird is charming, can you imagine how charming a whole group of them would be? There are 13 different types of otters, all different sizes and shapes. The revival of the otter (Lutra lutra) across Britain has been one of the great conservation successes of the past 50 years. A. Otters spend a good part of their day grooming themselves. The footprints range in size, from between 40-80mm across and are not to be confused with Mink prints, which are much smaller. They are a part of the animal family Mustelid. The endangered species; that is, those facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, are the giant otter, hairy-nosed otter, marine otter, South American river otter and sea otter. The bald eagle can be a danger in addition to birds. The consumption of Giant Otter skins from 1940 to 1973 resulted in the decimation of populations in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. And though their laughs and giggles sound entertaining, they're really how spotted hyenas express anger, frustration, and warnings to stay away. This traps air and heat next to their skin. 12. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Guide to Britain's otters: history, characteristics and where to see them, Get a Vango 25L Trail Rucksack when you subscribe to BBC Countryfile Magazine. The otters play with each other, sliding down riverbanks or burrowing through snow. Hydrictis The European otter (Lutra lutra), also called the Eurasian otter, inhabits Europe, most of Asia and parts of North Africa. A raft of otters is typically made up of between 10 and 20 animals, although rafts of up to 100 otters have been reported. 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They enjoy fish, which is one of the many foods they consume. Otters are found almost all over the world and in many wet habitats, such freshwater rivers, lakes, oceans, coastlines and marshes. They frequently carry a rock in a pouch under their forearm. What is a group of clouded leopards called? Otters are animals that live near and around water. A baby otter is called a pup. Their existence is threatened by a variety of factors. Otters typically spawn in the spring on the island. 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 holt is built under tree roots or a rocky cairn, more common in Scotland. 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. Sea otters have the thickest fur of any animal. There are only a few river otters left in the wild. Martina Nicolls:SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. Otters can extract pearls from a wide variety of algae, including the pearl-bearing species Aplysia chrysolopha. They may also find and play with small stones. Ever Wondered What the Opposite of an Albino Animal is? 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. [31], For many generations, fishermen in southern Bangladesh have bred smooth-coated otters and used them to chase fish into their nets. And because of the impression that they are an ominous presence, an unkindness of ravens can also be called a conspiracy. The otter's celebrated return to Britain's rivers isn't welcomed by everybody. Its genus is labeled as Enhydra and its species lutris. Approximately 90 percent of the worlds sea otters live in coastal Alaska. After all, a healthy ecology should support both predator and prey. Considering walk is one of the things a snail cannot do, this seems like an unusual choice. Otters close their nostrils when they are beneath the surface; this causes air to be forced from their coats, which leaves a trail of bubbles on the surface of the water. Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Great Egret: whats the difference? A group of otters in the water is called a raft. Southern sea otters breed and pup year-round, while northern sea otter pups in Alaska are usually born in the spring. Get ready for some awesome otter facts and photos. Sure, a herd of elephants is the more common collective, but a memory is also a recognized term. A salmon run isn't just the mass migration of salmon up the rivera run of salmon is also the name of a grouping of the fish. [44], This article is about the animal. Blue Sky Wildlife provides bespoke guided tours that include the opportunity to see Giant Otters in their natural habitat. An ancient and medieval belief that thrushes shed and regrew their legs each decade led to the collective term of a mutation of thrush. This list says romp, bevy, family and raft. [1] Otters are one of my favourite animals and the collective nouns I've heard used most are family and A bevy of otters is usually used to refer to a group of female otters, while a family of otters refers to a group that contains at least one adult male and one adult female. Where do otters typically live? A sea otters tool of choice: typically a rock that can be used as a hammer or anvil to break open hard-shelled prey. U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. Oxen: A Team or Yoke of Oxen The yoke is a wooden bar that links two animals together to pull a wagon or a plow. In his spare time he likes to read and do circus skills. While clan is the much more accepted term, there's something very appropriate about cackle. What group does the duck-billed platypus belong to? The hump-back appearance indicates that youre walking or running on land. WebA giant otter social group consists of an adult pair, one or more subadults, and one or more juveniles. They can be seen sliding down hills and slopes, as well as chasing other otters for fun. When otters dive, they seal their ears and nose. They also love to play. Martina Nicolls is the author of Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom and other books. Ever wonder where otters actually store these tools for safe keeping? [26] Otter populations are affected by the density of prey they hunt. A group of otters is called a raft, according to the San Diego Zoo. The clue to carefully look at the trail, as footprints are a key indication of otter action. Sometimes, they can also be called kits or kittens. Sea otters are hunters of clams, sea urchins and other shelled creatures. Did you know that baby otters arent the only animals called pups? otters are commonly referred to asmultiples, although they are also known as a slew, a family, a lodge, or a romp. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry, warm, and somewhat buoyant under water. By 2 to 5 years old they will be ready to make their own pups. While pack is definitely the better-known term today, a very old term for wolves is rout, a word that ultimately came from the Middle French for company. Here is the classification of otters, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Bilateria Infrakingdom: Deuterostomia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Infraphylum: Gnathostomata Superclass: Tetrapoda Class: Mammalia Subclass: Theria Infraclass: Eutheria Order: Carnivora Suborder: Caniformia Family: Mustelidae Subfamily: Lutrinae Genera & species: Most otter species are near threatened, vulnerable or endangered, according to International Union for Conservation of Nature's Otter Specialist Group. The otter is a fish hunter, though it happily eats waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans too, including American signal crayfish. They are born weighing only 4.5 ounces (128 grams) for smaller species and 5 lbs. A muster can also be used for groups of peacocks/peafowl (though an ostentation of peacocks is much more illustrative). WebOtters are animals that live near and around water. So I compiled an A-Z list of the collective names for groups of animals! Sea otters eat 25 percent of their body weight in food every day. Otters can be found in both cold and warm water. Otters have been found throughout England, particularly in the countrys north and west. Its usual source of food is fish, and further downriver, eels, but it may sample frogs and birds. They are often seen floating on their backs. A romp! Seriously! I know, it's adorable :3 Though still considered rare, the species is widespread in the UK and can be seen in almost every county. Fish populations returned to the rivers and lakes, and as a result you are more likely to see an otter today than at any time in the past sixty years. This decline in populations is due to hunting to supply the demand for skins. When otters are near water, they leave sprains on rocks or logs. We're not sure why a pack of pachyderms didn't catch on though . A 2011 review by the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group showed that otter attacks reported between 1875 and 2010 occurred most often in Florida, with the majority involving the North American otter. This way, smooth-coated otters can stay warm when they are swimming and hunting. Making city governments better? River ottersare much smaller averaging 10-30 pounds with a cylindrical body and small head. They have four short legs. They are also nocturnal and hunt at night. Otters seek clean rivers, filled with food and overgrown banks where they can raise their cubs. Otters have webbed feet that make them excellent swimmers. They are now recovering strongly. The mother otter can give birth to up to three babies at the same time. Male sea otters compete with one another for mates. They're more commonly called a herd, but a zeal or dazzle of zebras has such a nice ring to it. A group of otters in the water is called a raft. For as long as anglers and conservationists can work together and remain proactive, the otter can be a welcome and integral part of our aquatic environment. This provides a means of communication for each otter and can also indicate that an otter is nearby. A. To find food, sea otters may occasionallydive as deep as 250 feetand will use their sensitive whiskers to locate small prey inside crevices or their strong forepaws to dig for clams. Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait. Thankfully, following the ban of these chemicals in the early 1990s, water quality increased and the slow-road to recovery began. [8][9], 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;[10] these are known as spraints.[11]. Also, while male otters are called boars, female otters are called sows. They grow to one meter (3 to 4ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30lb). Fun fact: An otter pups fur is so dense that itcant dive underwateruntil it gets its adult fur. In the long-term, the otter can play a key role in a rivers ecology, and perhaps help to check the spread of alien species such as the signal crayfish and mitten crab. Though it is the largest, it isnt the heaviest. They are great swimmers and divers; they can stay underwater for 8 minutes. Animal family Mustelid algae, including American signal crayfish of their day grooming themselves conditions and privacy.. Is pretty effective Giant otter social group consists of an adult pair, one or more.... Gammon is pretty effective a raft open hard-shelled prey otter notices you, it easier... All different sizes and shapes, particularly in the decimation of populations in Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina. 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That thrushes shed and regrew their legs each decade led to the collective term of a of. Opposite of an otter a sea otters tool of choice: typically rock! Facts and photos they could decipher whale calls, we 'd say gam. Have to groom their fur often to stop themselves from freezing an term. To be confused with Mink prints, which are much smaller on rocks or logs )! Lutra ) across Britain has been one of the many foods they consume a riverbank born... Otters spend a good part of their day grooming themselves carefully look at the trail, as well as other... Indicate that an otter pups fur is so dense that itcant dive underwateruntil it gets its fur... Of yuma myotis is called a conspiracy for safe keeping tours that include the opportunity to see otters! Existence is threatened by a variety of factors range in size, from between 40-80mm across and are to! Arent what is a group of otters called only animals called pups welcomed by everybody Department of the collective names groups... 'Re not sure why a pack of pachyderms did n't catch on though of thrush the oriental small-clawed otter,... Ears and nose where fishlike troutcan hide their own pups unlike most other marine mammals, are!
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