What is some cool stuff about river otters?

Answer 1

The River Otter has many vital adaptations that help them survive in some extreme environments. One of the major differences in the River Otter, and other land mammals of a similar size and weight, is the River Otter has a metabolic rate that is 50% higher, which helps them produce extra body heat, this helps them maintain their body temperature in the worst of the cold water, and weather they face on a regular basis. Also their coat is a combination of two different types of fur, an outer layer of "guard hairs", designed to protect the short dense second layer of fur, called the "under, or inner" coat. This double layer system insulates the River Otter from the cold weather, and helps them to float, and shed water. The nostrils are on the top of the nose, making it possible to breathe, while the body of the otter remains completely under water, another way to stay warm in an inhospitable environment. But they are also wonderfully adapted to diving, and the River Otter automatically closes his nostrils when he dives. The whiskers are highly sensitive, picking up vibrations in the water, aiding hunting under water. The four webbed feet help with forward thrust during swimming. While the River Otter uses two styles of swimming, a dog paddle style for slower cruising, or floating on the surface of the water, and especially when they are coming up for air. But when they are sprinting, or in a high speed chase or dive, their whole body is used in an undulating motion, and the rear webbed feet are used more for steering the sharp twists and turns, they are so well known for. Also the River Otter is physically designed, to accommodate more land travel than other Otters. They can even run at surprising speeds, around 29 miles per hour over land, due to the considerable distances they may have to travel to find new territories. Plus the River Otter has scent glands used to mark the territory they patrol, and it's been adapted into a defensive weapon of sorts. They will use these "permeable scent glands" much as skunks do. For more details, please see the sites listed below.

Answer 2

River otters ar important for many reasons 1, They keep down many species and keep those species from over growing and destroying plants and materials humans use today.

They also are important indicator of water pollition because their skin is so sensitive to water pollotion

Answer 3

they eat a lot of sea urchins which eat seaweed. so few otters more urchins. when there are a lot of urchins they can easy destroy the underwater kelp forest: also known as seaweed. by protecting the otters we are also helping the countless other species who call the the area home. you can help the otters to by keeping cats indoors if you have one or more and use litter boxes and dispose of them properly by wrapping them securely and putting them in the trash. there is a parasite known to kill otters in the cats dropping. the eggs of one deadly parasite are found only in cat droppings. when cats are allowed to do their business outside, they do it outside. rain washes their droppings from yards and fields to storm drains and creeks leading to the ocean. other types of pollution and litter end up in the ocean the same way. they get into waterways that eventually empty into the sea. there, they can infect the otters and cause harm to other sea creatures. do your part in saving the beautiful life and environment of earth, our home, our dying planet.

Answer 4

they hold hands so they don't drift apart, how lovely! :)

Answer 5

smart enough to open a jelly jar