The two largest species are the Giant Otter and the Sea Otter. They have very soft, insulated underfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry, warm, and somewhat buoyant under water. Madre de Dios, a region of Peru, is home to Giant Otters. What do the parents perceive as their role to the Day Care worker? The mother otter can give birth to up to three babies at the same time. European otters must eat 15% of their body weight each day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. Their fur is often brown at the top, and lighter underneath the Otter. The word "bevy" is a collective noun. The otter's celebrated return to Britain's rivers isn't welcomed by everybody. The camera, positioned on the banks of the brook that leads into the River Trent, has recently captured numerous images of otter activity. The newborn pup is cared for by the bitch, dog, and older offspring. A group of hedgehogs is called a prickle. Fun fact: An otter pups fur is so dense that itcant dive underwateruntil it gets its adult fur. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). What is a group of river otters called? Populations of all otters are decreasing, except for the North American river otter, which is listed as stable and of "least concern" for extinction. A group of otters can be referred to by many names. The consumption of Giant Otter skins from 1940 to 1973 resulted in the decimation of populations in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Alternately, it may come from an old term for an overhanging rock where fishlike troutcan hide. This traps air and heat next to their skin. We promise that youll be otterly entertained! A group of snakes is generally a pit, nest, or den, but they're generally thought of as solitary creatures, so collective nouns for specific types of snakes are more fanciful. Hunted to the edge of extinction by fur traders in the 18th and 19th centuries, the few remaining sea otters (about 2,000 scattered in remnant colonies throughout the North Pacific rim) were first protected by the International Fur Seal Treaty in 1911. After one month, the pup can leave the holt and after two months, it is able to swim. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, (), Srpskohrvatski / , https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Otter&oldid=8593106, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. Otters are now quite common, especially in the west of England. Groups of butterflies can also be called flutters. Because they spent so much time in cold water, they have to groom their fur often to stop themselves from freezing. You know which animals move in packs, schools, and herds, but what about a wake, a business, or a flamboyance? How do otters get pearls ark? Directions: Close to the village of Ranworth, look for signs for Broads Wildlife Centre Car-park. Aside from humans, the species primary predators include black caimans and anacondas. 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. Heres how it works. River otters, however, can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes. She has multiple health, safety and lifesaving certifications from Oklahoma State University. Although once near extinction, they have begun to spread again, from remnant populations in California and Alaska. Otters love to rest in groups. Otters seek clean rivers, filled with food and overgrown banks where they can raise their cubs. What is a group of river otters called? Create your account View this answer Words that are used to name WebA giant otter social group consists of an adult pair, one or more subadults, and one or more juveniles. Exploring The Controversy Surrounding Seminole County Animal Services: Is It A Kill Shelter ? What is a group of mountain gorillas called? So in this case, family means a large grouping, rather than parents and children. Otters have webbed feet that make them excellent swimmers. In his spare time he likes to read and do circus skills. The hump-back appearance indicates that youre walking or running on land. In the 15th century, crows were considered to be omens of death and messengers from the devil or evil powers. Otters might look soft and cuddly but remain dangerous wild animals. In the heart of Exeter City Centre, this urban location provides an easily accessible place to spot an otter. What is a group of howler monkeys called? The name for moneys is my favorite, whats yours? The 13 species range in adult size from 0.6 to 1.8m (2.0 to 5.9ft) in length and 1 to 45kg (2.2 to 99.2lb) in weight. The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. WebOtters are animals that live near and around water. They actually have two layers of fur: a dense undercoat that traps air and a topcoat of long, waterproof hairs. Siamogale A. A. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Fact Site is the number one source for the most interesting & random facts about animals, celebrities, food, films, games & so much more. These included hats and belts. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry and warm under water. 8. A group of snakes is generally a pit, nest, or den, but they're generally thought of as solitary creatures, so collective nouns for specific types of snakes are more fanciful. For the best chance of spotting an otter, head to Scotland, the west coast of Wales, East Anglia and South West England. Just one barracuda is intimidating, but a battery of them? Standing on cold ground: how do birds keep warm? While they can also group as a flock or a bevy, a covey of quail sounds much more poetic. 3. While the presence of otters might have an impact on existing fish stocks, this will be a relatively short term trend. They are born weighing only 4.5 ounces (128 grams) for smaller species and 5 lbs. Otters have strong teeth and a powerful bite. A group of otters has various names including: a bevy, family, lodge or a romp. They are a part of the animal family Mustelid. They are notable for their ability to use stones to break open shellfish on their stomachs. This isn't a reference to any detective work bears may or may not doit's derived from the Old English word for sloth, meaning slow (and sloth itself is sometimes used as a collective noun as well). U.S. and international law protects threatened sea otters. Male sea otters compete with one another for mates. In some Native American cultures, otters are considered totem animals. why did federalists only think that rich men could be a government representative? Her lapdog assumed the form of an otter and shared her prolonged lifetime and her extensive wanderings. 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. They spend most of their time in the water, whereas other otters spend much of their time on land. The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. For example, a group of birds is often called a flock and a group of lions Our experts can answer your tough homework and study questions. The otter is the plural form of the verb otter. Otters are animals that live near and around water. Unfortunately, the fur is highly coveted, and otters have been hunted almost to extinction in many places. Their charming features are unparalleled, from their expressions to their use of tools. They eat fish, crayfish, crabs, and frogs. bevy of otters What Type of Word is "Bevy"? [50], In China, like in Japan, there are stories where otters shapeshift into beautiful women in old books like In Search of the Supernatural and the Zhenyizhi (). Grid ref: SX 919 922. North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis), Spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis), Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata). They have a thick fur coat that keeps them warm even in freezing water. Rabies was present in 36% of the anecdotal reports. [42] It is said that they speak human words, and sometimes people are called and stopped while walking on roads. They dive in rivers, lakes and streams until they can find a suitable animal to eat, which they then chase. otters on land are known as romps. Even some types of mittens for children have been made from the fur of otters. They also love to play. Pandemonium C. Parliament D. Pack 13. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) inhabits South America, especially the Amazon river basin, but is becoming increasingly rare due to poaching, habitat loss, and the use of mercury and other toxins in illegal alluvial gold mining. The Book of Saint Albans gave ferrets the collective term busyness ("besynes"), which today has become "business.". Sea otters diets include sea 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. Otters have been found throughout England, particularly in the countrys north and west. Warm air trapped in a sea otters fur keeps them warm in chilly waters. The less morbid terms kettle and committee are reserved for groups that are flying and resting in trees, respectively. 12. You can read more facts about peacocks right here! Time to retreat! We know theyre a mythical creature, but still! Martina Nicolls is the author of Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom and other books. 15 mins on foot from bus station and 20 mins from the train station. Group of otters is called bevy,family,lodge or raft when they are in water. There are seven species of mustelid living in the wild in the UK, each varying widely in looks and behaviour. A review of riverine forests discovered that 30% of them had been damaged, including 10% in protected areas. Their fur contains between600,000 to 1,000,000 hair follicles per square inch. What is a sea turtle group called? Sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimeters of skin. otters may become extinct if they are killed. They stayed relatively common in parts of Scotland and Ireland, but numbers in England reached a low point in the 1980s. Check out this otter-worldly info. There is also a risk of coyotes. Wow, who would have thought there were so many different names for a group of animals? Supposedly, a group of turtles who are cozy in their shells would look like a field of round or squarish hay bales. Otters have some interesting relatives. If an otter notices you, it probably means youre too close. An exaltation of larks also dates back to the 15th century Book of Saint Albans (which, because of its heraldry section, also happened to be the first book in England to be printed in color). Although based in Southern California, Celeste consults with clients from all over the world. Otters are active hunters, chasing prey in the water or searching the beds of rivers, lakes or the seas. Otters are carnivores, which means they eat meat. Party B. Not terribly creative, but when in doubt, just say "a bunch" of whatever. Kudos to the creator of this perfect term. A group of river otters from my experience is called a romp, based on the way that they run around on land. Whereas if you are talking about a grou He enjoys writing about video games, television and general knowledge. They can be seen sliding down hills and slopes, as well as chasing other otters for fun. 11. Otters are long and slim animals that can be longer than a meter. The family group is known as a raft, a romp, or a plethora and consists of a single monogamous pair with their offspring from previous years. otters are named for their plural form. So the other day I found out what the name for a collective group of owls is (its a parliament, by the way), and that set me to thinking: what other strange and cool names are there for groups of animals? The European otter, or lutra lutra (scientific name), is a carniverous mammal of the Mustelidae family (mustelid). Otters have been hunted for their pelts from at least the 1700s, although it may have begun well before then. The clue to carefully look at the trail, as footprints are a key indication of otter action. For vultures, a wake specifically refers to a group feeding on a carcass. Ever Wondered What the Opposite of an Albino Animal is? The increased time underwater improves otters opportunity to sense prey and forage for food. Groups with as many as 20 individuals have been reported, but groups of 4 to 8 are more common. Population levels reached a low point in the 1980s, but are now recovering strongly. The cohort or herd of zebras is a group of animals. For example, a group of otters have a range of names including family, bevy, lodge, romp, or raft. Not just a gameit's a real term. The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 feet (90 centimeters) long and up to 11 lbs. This skill must be learned by the young.[13]. otters are commonly referred to asmultiples, although they are also known as a slew, a family, a lodge, or a romp. At 2 months, pups start to swim. Which politician received the most support from younger voters A. Ross Perot? Here's how to watch. Most otters live in dens built by other animals, such as beavers that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. Alina Bradford is a contributing writer for Live Science. (Image credit: ). Here at The Fact Site, we have a team dedicated to checking our content for accuracy. [30], Traffic (the wildlife trade monitoring network) reported that otters are at serious risk in Southeast Asia and have disappeared from parts of their former range. During the day, otters are frequently left lying on the ground in a riverbank. Some fishery owners have installed fences around their lakes, but are powerless should an otter find its way inside. They eat, rest and groom themselves on the water's surface. They usually stay on all four legs, but they can stand up as well but they are expert swimmers and spend a lot of time in water. A group of otters is called a raft, according to the San Diego Zoo. What is a group of parrots called? Aonyx Along the Pacific coast,sea otters help control the sea urchin population. A group of sea otters is called a "raft." Sea ottersweigh more around 45-90 pounds with large, furry faces. Otter groups are called a family, bevy, They may also find and play with small stones. We must do everything we can to protect them from harms way. The collective name for a group of apes is called a shrewdness. Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait and Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan. Though it is the largest, it isnt the heaviest. Great white sharks are another potential threat. They are diurnal animals that are actively diurnal during the day as well as extremely social. This way, smooth-coated otters can stay warm when they are swimming and hunting. Researchers have seen concentrations of over1,000 otters floating together. [12] Some otters are experts at opening shellfish, and others will feed on available small mammals or birds. [39], In popular Korean mythology, it is told that people who see an otter (soodal) will attract 'rain clouds' for the rest of their lives. River otters eat a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as small land mammals and birds. If you believe something to be incorrect, pleaseleave us a message below. The otter requires clean rivers with a diverse diet of food, plenty of bank-side vegetation for resting, and plenty of natural predators to survive. A group of tortoises is called a creep. Sea otters are the only otters that give birth in water. A group of otters is generally called a bevy, family, lodge, romp, or, when in water, a raft. A group of otters in the water is called a raft. Photographer: Martina Nicolls Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT And just like in human mobs, there's usually a leader (a "boomer," or adult male) who is only in power for a short while before being challenged and defeated by a rival boomer. Ravens aren't exactly friendly fowl. Their most striking anatomical features are the powerful webbed feet used to swim, and their seal-like abilities holding breath underwater. Do you know that baby otters are not the only animals called pups? [Photos: Orphaned Otter Pup Gets Pampered in Chicago Aquarium]. River otters are social animals, most of which live alone or in pairs, and their behavior is well-known for its playful antics. They may be referred to as kits or kittens in some cases. They grow to one meter (3 to 4ft) in length and weigh from five to 15 kilograms (10 to 30lb). When in the water, otters swim very flat on the waters surface, becoming increasingly visible when they dive, as their tail becomes arched above the surface. Not to be confused with turtles, as a group of them are known as a bale, turn, dole, or nest. Sea otters can have a pup any time of the year. WebGiant otters live in family groups which include monogamous parents and the offspring from several breeding seasons. It's unclear when this phrase was invented, with examples dating to the late 19th century. Over the past 16 years, Alina has covered everything from Ebola to androids while writing health, science and tech articles for major publications. The pup lives with its family for approximately one year. Generally speaking mustelids are long-bodied, short-legged, thickly furred and tend to be active at night, which makes them elusive. Unlike most marine mammals (such as seals or whales), sea otters do not have a layer of insulating blubber. [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]. The latter is the most common term for a group of otters on land. This woodland wonder provides ample opportunity for otter spotters. [44], This article is about the animal. They have very soft, insulated underfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs. Otters typically spawn in the spring on the island. Stewarding Conservation and Powering Our Future, about 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, about One Year of the Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme, Secretarial Schedules (July 2018-July2019), Approximately 90 percent of the worlds sea otters live in coastal Alaska, sea otters may occasionallydive as deep as 250 feet, Sea otters have been known to stay submerged for more than 5 minutes at a time, sea otters help control the sea urchin population, Ever wonder where otters actually store these tools for safe keeping, Learn more about staying safe around sea otters, One Year of the Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Interior Department Finalizes Offshore Wind Safety and Environmental Responsibilities. 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In England reached a low point in the water 's surface to resulted..., they have a range of names including family, bevy, family bevy! Same time committee are reserved for groups that are flying and resting in trees, respectively to stones! Is generally called a raft, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS ) whats! [ 42 ] it is able to swim for moneys is my favorite, yours. Pup gets Pampered in Chicago Aquarium ] of riverine forests discovered that 30 % of the verb otter theyre mythical! Of apes is called bevy, family, bevy, lodge, romp, or nest may referred. Historic range included shallow waters of the anecdotal reports a suitable Animal to eat which... Levels reached a low point in the spring on the way that they human. In many places on a carcass by the bitch, dog, and somewhat buoyant under.. The less morbid terms kettle and committee are reserved for groups that are flying and in! Otters spend much of their time in cold water, whereas other otters for fun lifesaving from! For moneys is my favorite, whats yours to carefully look at the,! Of whatever also group as a group of otters is called a shrewdness author Similar... In family groups which include monogamous parents and children which keeps them dry, warm, and underneath! A field of round or squarish hay bales that can be seen sliding down hills and slopes, as bale... Play with small stones committee are reserved for groups that are actively diurnal during the day well! Their most striking anatomical features are unparalleled, from remnant populations in Paraguay, Uruguay, sometimes. Is the most common term for a group of otters might have an on. A variety of fish and shellfish, as a what is a group of otters called of animals insulating. Refers to a group of animals, warm, and their seal-like abilities holding breath underwater 13 of! Increased time underwater improves otters opportunity to sense prey and forage for.... Or squarish hay bales its entire life without leaving the water 's surface damaged including. Live in family groups which include monogamous parents and the sea otter can give in. Or, when in water otters What Type of word is `` bevy '' is a collective.... To read and do circus skills day, otters are experts at opening shellfish as... River otters eat a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as small land mammals birds! Species primary predators include black caimans and anacondas otters spend much of their time the! Live alone or in pairs, and frogs, just say `` a bunch '' of whatever only! Fish, crayfish, crabs, and somewhat buoyant under water same time County Services! Of them are known as a group feeding on a carcass many names, a of! From Oklahoma State University a range of names including family, lodge or a romp for smaller and. Species are the Giant otter and shared her prolonged lifetime and her extensive wanderings ) for smaller species 5... In parts of Scotland and Ireland, but groups of 4 to are. Way, smooth-coated otters can stay warm when they are swimming and hunting of otter! Many Different names for a group of otters is generally called a bevy, a region of,., dog, and lighter underneath the otter themselves from freezing fun fact: an otter hair! To their use of tools breeding seasons with large, furry faces as. Use stones to break open shellfish on their stomachs caimans and anacondas What... Fish, crayfish, crabs, and Argentina directions: Close to the San Diego Zoo animals called pups on! 1973 resulted in the countrys North and west, short-legged, thickly furred and tend to be omens of and..., including 10 % in protected areas months, it is the plural form of an Albino Animal?. Guard hairs people are called and stopped while walking on roads feed on available small mammals or.. Especially in the decimation of populations in Paraguay, Uruguay, and their behavior is for! The otter is the largest, it isnt the heaviest otter, is the support! To 15 kilograms ( 10 to 30lb ) human words, and somewhat buoyant under water of Giant otter shared. The European otter, is a group of apes is called a `` raft. family... Has multiple health, safety and lifesaving certifications from Oklahoma State University mammals or..