Otters: Endangered Carnivorous Semiaquatic Mammals - Research Paper

Introduction

Otters are carnivorous semiaquatic animals, which live in the coastal regions and waterways. They feed on fish and other sea invertebrate creatures. They belong to the Mustelidae family and Lutrinae subfamily (Shersby 1). Notably, the mammals classified as an endangered species due to increased poaching. Additionally, there are 13 subspecies of otters, which are scattered on different continents in the world. They include hairy-nosed otter, spotted-necked otter, smooth-coated otter, North American river otter, south American river otter, neotropical river otter, marine otter, giant, Asian small-clawed, African clawless, Congo clawless, and sea otters (Shersby 1). The subspecies are distributed throughout the world in different water bodies.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Physical Description

Otters are characterized by fine black and brown fur. However, as they grow old, their hair lightens in such a way that the regions around the hands and necks are almost white (Bradford 1). Additionally, they have flat tails and webbed feet, which are the most striking features of the mammals (Bradford 1). The feet are adapted to swimming and can also allow them to walk on the mainland. Otters have also the ability to hold their breath underwater, which improves their ability to hunt for fish. Except for the sea otter, all others have muscular long tails.

Noticeably, the adult length of the 13 species ranges from 0.5 to 1.8 meters (Shersby 1). They weigh an average of 1-45 kilograms in weight. The animals also have an underfur, which keeps them warm, dry, and buoyant in water. The animals have must eat enough food to raise their metabolism to match the surrounding water temperatures (Bradford 1). For example, European otters can eat up to a third of their body weight each day to raise increase their metabolism. Additionally, the mammals move by the help of their webbed feet, flat tails, and sandpaper-like paws (Shersby 1). They use their tails to steer the direction and their feet to help them move around. If an otter perceives any danger, it dives into the water by flipping its stomach.

Habitat

Otters are found all over the globe, especially in wet habitats such as lakes, rivers, coastlines, oceans, and marshes. They are found within a hundred meters from the water bodies and are entirely dependent on aquatic food ("Habitat and Distribution"). Notably, different species of otters inhabit different habitats. The river otters live in all types of inland water bodies such as marine coves and estuaries. Giant otters inhabit slow-moving water bodies, marshes, swamps, or creeks and prefer waterways with good vegetative cover and sloping banks (Bradford 1). Additionally, sea otters are located in the North Pacific waters within one-kilometer proximity to the shores and can spend their whole life at sea ("Habitat and Distribution"). All otters spend considerable time on land moving from one waterway to another except for sea otters. Moreover, otters live in burrows in the shows of the waterways. The entrances of the dens are underwater and slide upwards above the water level "Habitat and Distribution." Some otters dig their dens while others depend on those created by other animals such as squirrels.

Reproduction

Otters are mature for reproduction when they attain the age of two or three years. In sea otters, males are ready for reproduction at the age of 5 to 6 years while the females mature at 3 years. The mating season depends on various factors such as region, space, food, and the weather ("Habitat and Distribution"). If the habitant has plenty of food and space, otters may reproduce multiple times within one year. the reproduction process begins with the male seeking a female at sea. The male otters swim around with their faces looking down in search of females who are sexually aroused (Bradford 1). If the males encounter a female, they try to sniff her or embrace her body. If the female is in oestrus, the mammals start playing and rolling together and eventually spate themselves from others to mate.

The mating takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes of vigorous and intense rolling. The gestation period for otters is between three months and twelve months. Sea otters often have an extended gestation period due to delayed embryo development ("Habitat and Distribution"). Otters can give birth to about six pups at a time. The pups are fed by their mothers up to the age of twelve months. Female otters have dedicated caregivers who spend about eight hours nursing their pups on milk (Bradford 1). The pups start weaning at four months and the gage of eight months, pups start taking care of themselves.

Social Structures

Different subspecies of otters have varying social structures. For instance, among river otters, the male and females have different dominance hierarchies. The superior males live in favorable ranges. Males and females live in separate ways except when they are young under the care of their mother ("Habitat and Distribution"). Notably, both sexes show tolerance towards each other; however, they do not accompany each other or live in the same burrows. Additionally, Southeast otters, unlike other otters live in social groups made up of a male-female pair and a litter. Sea otters live on solitary and only meet for mating.

Works Cited

Bradford, Alina. "Facts About Otters." Live Science. 2016. Accessed from https://www.livescience.com/55090-otter-facts.html"Habitat and Distribution." SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. 2019. Accessed from https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/otters/habitat/

Shersby, Megan. "Otters of the World." Discover Wildlife. 2019. Accessed from www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/otters-of-the-world/