A group of otters can be called a romp, bevy, family, lodge, or a raft when they are in water. If you have ever seen them play, you’ll understand why the term romp is most appropriate.
There are 13 species of otters around the world, the smallest is the Oriental small-clawed otter and the two largest species are the Giant Otter and the Sea Otter. In Canada we have the River and Sea Otter but there are otters on every continent, except for Australia and the Antarctic.
Male otters are called boars, females are sows and the babies are referred to as pups. You will often see the pups on the mother’s belly, especially sea otters.
Otters are great with their hands and can create and use tools for a variety of purposes.
Otters, like many other animals, are threatened by habitat destruction and they use to be hunted for their pelts. Luckily that has declined but there is still illegal hunting going on. Other threats include decreases in water levels and quality, the removal of habitat when timber and other cover are cleared and the decline of vegetation. The most severe threat is probably water pollution though.
Is It A River Otter or Sea Otter?
Both of these animals are a type of weasel and belong to the same family (Mustelidae). With their webbed feet and two layers of fur they are both adept at swimming and staying warm in cold water. Sea otters are at least twice the size of river otters and live in salt water, as opposed to the river otter’s freshwater habitat. River otters swim around on their bellies while sea otters float on their backs. While sea otters almost never leave the water, and are awkward on land, river otters can run very quickly and spend equal time in the water and on land.
The sea otter is found in salt water and has furry paws.
The river otter is found in freshwater and is less furry.
Enjoy the antics and music as river otters play along the bank of a river…
