Otters have a specific mating season, which varies by the species as well as the location of their habitat. Their face is small, with black eyes set on the sides of it, with thin whiskers all over their face. Otters have a long and pointed tail, while the tail of a Beaver is flat, broad, and oval-shaped. A pet dog and a rescued otter have become best friends after being adopted on a farm. These terms find their root in the Proto-Indo-European language term “wodr”, a word that is also believed to have given birth to what we call “water” today. What do you think does it mean about their habitat? However, in reality, Otters and Beavers are two very different animals belonging to different orders. In the winter season, the barks of trees make up about half of their diets. One of these otters is the Sea Otter, which is found in the Pacific Coast of North America. • Beaver has a powerful flipper-like tail, which is useful for swimming and alarming other beavers. Inside the dark world of captive wildlife tourism. They have small, black eyes, and the hair around their nose is lighter in shade than the rest of their body. Other plants Beavers are fond of are pondweeds, rhizomes, water lilies, ferns, grass, leaves, bulrush, cattails, etc. They can swim along with just their heads showing, they can dive and roll and they often stay underwater for up to 15 or 20 seconds. In some species, weaning takes only 8 months. Since both have the potential to cause issues, homeowners are encouraged to try habitat modification to reduce the possibility of finding either on their property. A beaver’s face, on the other hand, very much like the other rodents. Muskrat vs. Beaver happens a lot. Newly-Unveiled Dinosaur Fossil Is Best Preserved of Its Kind. This webbing is unique to this piscivorous swimming mustelid. However, in summers, when there is an abundance of plants to feed on, only 10% of their diet include barks. However, otter has a long and tapered tail. Mother Otters act as a dedicated caregiver for their offspring. The body of a Beaver is rounded like the other rodents and has a thick, brown fur all over it. Beaver, Muskrat and Nutria Identification. The Beavers, on the other hand, practice monogamy strictly. Factors t… Studies on otters preying on beavers are varied, Kathie. Otters don’t focus on masculinity as a behaviour type or “masc for masc.” There are loads of femme otters, and some non-binary otters too. However, that’s where all the similarities between the two end. Please complete the form below and a technician will contact you within 24 hours. Beaver has sharp teeth and more mass that helps him to attack its opponent easily. In about 2 weeks, they are fully weaned. Unlike the Otter pups, the kits are born fully matured, with their eyes open and functioning, and their bodies are covered in thick fur. Although they live in similar habitats, there are basic differences in their habits and appearance and knowing these basic differences will help in identifying the signs of mink present. Watch sea otters crack open mussels on stone anvils. On the other hand, a muskrat is smaller than a beaver so that, the beaver will overpower it. The body of a Beaver is rounded like the other rodents and has a thick, brown fur all over it. Otters are covered from head to toe with a brown, glossy fur. The main difference between beavers and otters is the sort of destruction they are responsible for. All four feet of the Otter are webbed to help them swim. An otter doesn’t dig its own den, preferring instead to use burrows abandoned by other wildlife. All otters have webbed feet to help propel them through the water, and most species have sharp claws. It is true that both Otters and Beavers live in similar habitats. They’re all brown, furry and they swim well so the confusion isn’t too surprising. For example, otters are longer and slimmer than heavier, stockier beavers and are known to be agile swimmers. Featured videos. Other than their similar habitats, Otters and Beavers have no similarities whatsoever. Otters leave prominently placed spraints on regular territory-marking spots, such as waterside logs and rocks. It can swim and maneuver better than many fish, and swims with only the top of its head out of the water. Otter’s offspring is called pup and is born without being fully-matured, while Kit, the Beaver’s younger one, is fully-matured when it is born. How do otters swim and move? This page has information aobut how to tell the … Since Otters are dependent on their prey for food, a depletion in the aquatic life is a serious threat to their survival. Otters have a long, slim body with limbs that are quite short in comparison. I have been fascinated by our natural world and am here to share that wonder with you. All fields are required. Mink are sometimes confused with otters. (13 to 35 kg) and are 29 to 53 in (73 to 135 cm) in length, accor… Minks are members of the weasel family and look very similar to weasels and otters. Only the hind limbs of a Beaver are webbed, while the forelimbs are shaped like claws. River otters sometimes get thrown in the mix, depending on what people hope they’re seeing. While the courting takes place on land, Otters return to the water to mate. In contrast, beavers are stocky with a distinctive broad, flat tail. What Does a Muskrat Look Like? We provide immediate assistance if you discover a living or dead animal in your home. How do emperor penguins survive the cruelest winters on earth? The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. Otters are large weasel-like animals that have long bodies, small ears, a broad snout, short legs with webbed feet, and a long hair-covered tail that is wide at the body and narrows toward the tip. Today, you can find about thirteen species of otters in the world, with the rest of their siblings extirpated. • Otter has webbed paws in both pairs of limbs, whereas webbing is only present in the hind feet in beaver. They usually weigh from 29 to 77 lbs. Both the male and female Otters part ways right after the mating season, whereas Beavers raise their kits together as a couple. Once they have mated, the gestation period can last between 2-9 months, after which a pup is born. Otters show their consent to mating by rolling around with the males. Some species of Otters can open shellfish and feed on them. The Old English terms find their way back to the Proto-Indo-European language term “bhebhrus”, which means “brown” or “bright”. She donated her body to science, and now she'll live forever. It's also a species of management concern for some landowners. Interestingly, their incisors have a high concentration of iron in them and, hence, has a dark orange color. Avoid setting near abandoned beaver lodges and bank dens. Otters historically existed throughout North America. Once they are a month old, mother Otter takes them out to teach them how to swim. While Otters are mammals, Beavers belong to the family of rodents. Sea Otter vs Beaver: Fight Comparison (Beaver vs Otter) If we compare a beaver with an otter, the beaver is largest and has sharp teeth and more mass that will help to attack its opponent. Since Beavers have brown skin, their names are quite justified. Summary of Groundhog vs. Beaver. While Otters are carnivorous mammals, the Beavers are herbivores and follow a strictly vegetarian diet throughout their life. Another noticeable difference is the tail. If you look at Otters and Beavers closely, you will find that the two are indeed very different animals in every aspect. The males and females usually live in different circles, but with the onset of the mating season, the former approach the latter. Otters are carnivores and hunt whatever they can find in the water. Otters spend most of their lives in the water. So, what are the differences between otters and beavers? Their ears are more prominent than the Otters, round and black, placed at the side of their eyes. Unlike otters, the beaver is a "vegetarian," as its food comes mainly from trees and grasses. The average weight of a Beaver is about 22 kgs, while Otters usually weigh between 7-11 kgs. Their ears are basically holes with little upper skin. All the Otter species, except the Sea Otter, have a tail that is long and muscular to help them in swimming. The name “otter” is derived from the Old English terms “otor” or “oter”. The name “beaver” can trace its root back to the Old English terms “befer” or “beofor”. The gestation period extends up to 120 days, after which the female Beaves can give birth to 3-4 kits at a time. While Otters are large, carnivorous mammals, Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents who strictly follow a vegetarian lifestyle. For the first 12 months, mother otters nurse its young ones. Otters have small, rounded ears, and long sensitive whiskers to help them feel the vibrations of their prey. When compared with a Beaver, an Otter looks almost hairless. However, the kits still stay with their parents until they are 2 years old, after which they lead their independent lives. Groundhogs may cause a tripping hazard through the holes they dig as it is difficult to sight them. It can defend itself against opponents without getting any wounds. It means that water is the central habitat of all Otter species. If you need immediate assistance, please call 800-842-7296. Only the hind limbs of a Beaver are webbed, while the forelimbs are shaped like claws. Otters are dark and sleek in the water. Beavers, Muskrats, and Otters are aquatic mammals whose ranges cover most or all of South Carolina, so there is potential for almost any pond in the state to harbor these fur-bearing animals. If you want to learn how to distinguish between an Otter and a Beaver, you’re at the right place. Beaver tails are wide, flat and paddle-shaped, while muskrats have long, skinny tails with flat sides. Take a look at the table given below to notice the differences between their lineage and other physical characteristics. The American beaver (Castor canadensis) typically weighs 60 lbs. National Park Service biologist Sarah Allen said the otter was probably a male, and likely stopping by on its way back to the southern sea otters’ “core area” between Half Moon Bay and Point Conception. Underwater With the Biggest Animal on Earth. The other, much smaller otter breed is the Marine Otter, whose population lives on the coasts of Peru and Chile. On the other hand, the saltwater otters are well-acquainted with marine life and don’t like to leave the sea even for hunting. Can you tell the difference and identify the following three animals? What can I look for on land? Despite their name and membership in the rodent family, muskrats aren't all that closely related to true rats. The American beaver is a native mammal that plays an important ecological role in our watersheds. They are usually born on a kelp bed in the water or a den and stay there until they can see. Range. For example, otters are longer and slimmer than heavier, stockier beavers and are known to be agile swimmers. The Sea Otters, which are the heaviest Otter species in the world, weigh somewhere around 20 kgs, which is the closest Otters have ever come to Beavers in weight. I've been working with the National Wildlife Federation for the past five years. In the water, river otters do not swim on their backs like sea otters. There were far too many Otters in the past than those that have survived. They can defend themselves from their opponents without getting any wounds. Since all the living species of Otters are either semiaquatic or aquatic, the name seems fitting for them. See more ideas about otters, animals wild, animals beautiful. The otter is a member of the order Carnivora. In terms of body weight as well, Otters are much lighter than the Beavers. In this article, we will tell you about the differences between these two animals on grounds of their diet, appearance, reproductive cycle, and so on. Both the male and the female Otters mature sexually when they are about 2-3 years of age.

There is no need to resubmit your comment. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If beavers or otters are spotted, contact the trained specialists at Trutech to deal with these invading pests. It takes a fearless and patient mother to keep curious cubs safe. While they can mate right after their young ones are born, they choose to wait a year to nurse them. While beaver remnants have been found in otters a few times, the vast majority of studies show no sign of beaver ingestion by otters. An otter is peaceful, and thus even though it is of the same size of a beaver, it can’t win the battle. Thank you for your interest in Trutech® services. Beavers, on the other hand, have access to an abundance of vegetation. Female Otters can give birth to up to 6 pups at a time, but a single pup is most commonly born to them. (27 kilograms) and are 23 to 39 inches (60 to 100 centimeters) long. Problems Caused by Otters Just because otters don't build dams, it doesn't mean they are harmless to property. Have you ever been confused between an Otter and a Beaver before? An otter's den is called a holt. If you look at Otters, you’re bound to find them extremely cute. In case the birth takes place on land, the mother Otter moves it into the den. First, sea otters are two to three times the size of river otters — and, when at the water’s surface, they float on their backs, while river otters swim … Otters can also eat small mammals or birds if they are easily available in their surroundings. Though they share similar habitats, distinguishing between beavers vs. otters is easy because they differ in appearance and behavior. Beavers are well-known for their large, paddle-like tails that can be heard slapping the water from time to time. Though they share similar habitats, distinguishing between beavers vs. otters is easy because they differ in appearance and behavior. 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