Written by Lenard
Modified & Updated: 23 Sep 2024
Reviewed by Jessica Corbett
When you think of sea creatures, you’d most likely picture scales and slimy fins. However, otters stand out as the warm and furry creatures of the rivers and oceans. With their short, stubby legs and long, fluffy bodies, it’s hard not to notice them. While you may know about them through cute pictures on the internet, there’s still a lot to discover about otters. Find out more about this animal with these otter facts.
- 01There are 12 species of otter alive today.
- 02Mother otters give birth after about 60–86 days of gestation.
- 03Depending on the species, otters can live up to 16 years.
- 04Around 90% of sea otters live near the Alaskan coast.
- 05Thousands of otters fell victim to human hunting during the California fur rush in the early 1800s.
- 01Otters fall under the subfamily Lutrinae.
- 02Otters are carnivorous mammals.
- 03They mostly live near water.
- 04Otters have long, slender bodies.
- 05Otter dens are referred to as couches or holts.
- 06Otters live in the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
- 07Baby otters are called pups.
- 08Male otters are called boars or dogs, while female otters are referred to as sows or bitches.
- 09The smallest otter species is the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus).
- 10Male otters tend to reach maturity slower than females.
- 01Otter dung has a distinct odor and has its own special name, which is spraint.
- 02Due to the taxing nature of raising cubs, sea otter mothers can’t raise twins.
- 03Otter mothers can adopt pups.
- 04They often use the dens of other animals, such as beavers.
- 05The name “otter” originates from the Old English word otor or oter, derived from the same root word as the word “water”.
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.