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Have you ever seen a picture of two otters swimming in a stream holding hands? If so, then you probably thought you were looking at a pair of otters in love. Well, while this is a good idea, there is a more practical reason for this hand-holding behavior. Review the following information to answer the question “Why do otters hold hands?” and determine if all otters exhibit this behavior. Also, check out a few other facts about these slippery cute animals that may surprise you.
Why are otters holding hands?
It turns out there are many reasons why these animals hold hands. Usually otters hold hands when they sleep. A pair of these animals rolls over onto their backs and swims in the water while sleeping. They usually choose a location near the coastline where the water is calm. But after heavy rain, the river can move quickly. Even if it hasn’t rained for a long time, the river still flows at a constant speed. This puts a pair of sleeping otters at risk of being carried downstream! So, these animals hold hands to keep together if the current carries them out of the nest.
The second reason they hold hands in their sleep has to do with territory. The male does not want other otters to approach his half. So he is holding hand with the woman so that other men will know that she is meant.
Self-preservation is another reason they hold hands while they sleep. Sleeping on land means they are vulnerable to hunters and predators. So, these animals sleep in the water to avoid the attention of the hunters.
Males and females sometimes hold hands with one of their cubs or puppies so that they do not swim away while they rest. Puppies are small and extremely vulnerable to predators. The puppy’s mother must protect him even while sleeping.
Do all otters hold hands?
No. Some hold hands while others do not exhibit this behavior. Sea otters spend most of their time in the water and hold hands while they sleep. In addition, river otters live on land most of the time. They sleep on land, so they don’t need to hold hands to stick together. Instead, they huddle together on the beach, taking a nap and basking in the sun.
What is the difference between sea otters and river otters?
Hand behavior is just one of the features of sea otters that distinguish sea otters from river otters. Another difference concerns the size of these creatures. A male sea otter weighs up to 90 pounds! On the other hand, an adult male river otter weighs no more than 30 pounds.
Of course, both otters love to swim. But river otters swim on their right side, and most of their bodies are underwater. You can only see the nose and head of a river otter peeking out from under the surface of the water. This type of otter uses its four webbed feet to move quickly through the water.
On the contrary, sea otters love to roll over on their backs and swim. They travel through water using webbed hind legs and tail. Since the sea otter has only two webbed feet instead of four, the sea otter does not swim as efficiently as the river otter.
Both of these animals are experienced divers. But which one dives deeper? The answer is a sea otter. These otters can dive hundreds of feet into water. Their ears and nostrils automatically close when they dive to avoid filling with water. In addition, they can stay underwater for up to five minutes and sometimes longer. River otters dive to a depth of about 60 feet and can stay underwater for 8 minutes without catching their breath.
The ability to remain below the surface of the water for several minutes gives these animals the ability to find food. They are both carnivores. The sea otter feeds on snails, fish, sea urchins and squid. The river otter feeds on fish, crayfish, crabs and frogs.
Although both animals have thick fur to protect them from the cold, the fur of the sea otter is much thicker than that of the river sea otter. The coat color of these two animals is slightly different. The sea otter’s coat is dark brown, while the river otter’s fur is usually brown or gray.
The main difference to keep in mind about the two otters is that the sea otter spends most of its time in the water, while the river otter is on land most of the time.
What are otter predators?
Sea otter predators include coyotes, bald eagles, great white sharks, killer whales, and California sea lions. River otter predators include alligators, lynxes, eagles, and coyotes. As you can see, these otters have several different types of predators due to their habitat.
Baby or juvenile otters are more vulnerable to predators than adults. Interestingly, the puppies have such thick fur that they cannot dive under the surface of the water. They will be able to do this only when they grow back their adult coat. Diving is another way to escape predators.
Do otters have protection from predators?
Yes. Otters have sharp teeth that they can use to fight predators. Some otters snort to warn those around them so they can take cover from the threat.
Sea otters sometimes hide from predators such as sharks and whales in large areas of algae. River otters defend themselves by going ashore and hiding. River otters can run at 15 miles per hour.
What are other unique behaviors of otters?
Otters are known to glide along the hilly coastline into the water. Adult otters can do this to escape predators on land, while young otters glide as a form of play.
Otters have a different behavior known to biologists as sprains. This is when the otter scatters feces to mark its territory. Their feces, known as sprains, have a scent that lets other otters know there is a claim on the territory.
These animals devote a lot of time to caring for their fur. They comb it with their fingers to remove dirt and waterlogged debris from it. Otters can also blow into their fur to cleanse it. If you see an otter rolling over the leaves, rubbing against the ground or the bark of a tree, it is trying to dry out its thick fur.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are the otters lonely?
Despite their hand-holding behavior, these animals are considered mostly solitary. Males and females get together during the mating season. In addition, baby otters stay with their mother for the first six months of life. So, there are circumstances when these animals live together for a while.
Endangered sea otters and river otters?
One is endangered and the other is not. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reports that the sea otter is threatened with extinction due to population decline.
The North American River Otter is listed as Least Dangerous with a stable population.
Why are sea otters endangered?
Sea otters are endangered due to oil spills. When these otters encounter an oil spill, the oil erodes the insulating layer of their shell. This makes them vulnerable to cold and leads to the death of many. These creatures also become trapped in commercial fishing nets and die as a result.
Why are sea otters endangered?
Sea otters are endangered due to oil spills. When these otters encounter an oil spill, the oil erodes the insulating layer of their shell. This makes them vulnerable to cold and leads to the death of many. These creatures also become trapped in commercial fishing nets and die as a result.
Are sea otters still hunted for their fur?
In the late 18th and early 20th centuries, sea otters were hunted for their fur. These animals were hunted to sew coats, hats and other clothing. Unfortunately, it was at that time that this type of fashion was especially popular. These hunting and trapping activities have led to a decline in their population to near extinction. It was once believed that there were from one to two thousand of them.
Today, otter hunting is prohibited in many places. The combination of these laws and knowledge about this animal made it possible to slowly restore its population.
How do otters communicate with each other?
While you may think of these animals as quiet, they have many ways to talk to each other. They sometimes whistle or bark to alert other otters of danger nearby. Adult otters can also make a screaming sound when in grave danger.
Otter puppies chat and whine to get their mother’s attention.
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