Otters

River otters have much longer tails and a longer head than the sea otter. Sea otters have have large webbed hind flippers. When at the surface, river otters tend to swim on their bellies. Sea otters float on their back. River otters would be more likely to climb on a log or onshore to eat. Sea otters tend to eat their food in the water while floating on their backs, with the food on their stomach. River otters are on land frequently. Sea otters almost never leave the water. River otters tend to be all brown. Adult sea otters' heads lighten throughout their lifetime, becoming quite blond.

In addition to the above, Sea Otters often gather in large numbers called "rafts" while river otters are more solitary and are usually only seen in groups of 4 or less (mom and pups). River otters can be found in streams, rivers and coastal salt water areas.

This is in response to the answer below which is not correct.

sea otters live in the sea otters live in rivers

http://site1.wikianswers.com/templates/icons/qr.gif)" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px">http://site1.wikianswers.com/templates/icons/qr.gif%29; background-position: right bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat; height: 22px">

They are a vital part of the ocean's ecosystem. Without otters, sea urchins would have no predators and would overpopulate and likely destroy kelp forests, which are a food source for urchins.

Freshwater otters get their water from freshwater sources. Thus, species like the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), the Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra), and the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) drink from the same rivers and lakes in which they swim. The sea otter, on the other hand, is specially adapted to its saltwater habitat. The sea otter's large kidneys process the saltwater that the otter drinks from the ocean, allowing the otter to live without need of freshwater.

Otters can have up to 192 babies in their whole lifetime which is between 11 - 16 years but not necessary all the babies survive. They can have up to 2 litters a year.

Baby otters are born with eyes closed but open them at about 40 days old and are able to swim properly at about 80 days.

so 192 babies divided by 365 days in year

= 0.5260273973 a day C:

One of the most important things polar bear cubs have to learn is how to hunt seals, by sniffing for their dens and then pouncing on the ice until it breaks, so that they can get to the seal pup inside. They learn this by watching their mother. Then, they imitate it.

It has a marine biome or ecosystem.

Wetlands and marshes.

they can be found is caves that are empty or they can come out to the open for food (fish) by Shannon Holmes

Well yeh, the lion/tiger is slightly bigger than the jaguar, there has been records of fights between the jaguar and a lion and jaguar has been the winner, so maybe a tiger, but other than that not really any, as also lions have been recorded to win tigers soo, depends on male/female size/age.

Sharp teeth make a seal better able to hold onto its catch of fish (which can be very slippery when they wish).

A sea otter lives mainly in coldwater environments. They have no blubber (a layer of fat) which other mammals use to keep themselves warm. Therefore the sea otter has the most dense fur of any mammal. The close placement of the hairs helps to keep the sea otters warm.

The giant otter eats piranas. I learned on the animal plantet. The giant otter is also indangered!

you can not buy an otter. but you can adopt one from partcipating zoos. also we should not purchase otters because they are an indangered species.

Yes it is! Mammals are warm-blooded animals, usually with fur or hair that produce milk to suckle their young, which are usually born live. One or two mammals lay eggs.
Yes an Otter is a mammal.

Sea otters are the only species in their genus, Enhydra. However, there are thirteen species of otter in the subfamily Lutrinae; these include the Marine otter, the North-American river otter, the Neotropical river otter, the Southern river otter, the Eurasian otter, the Hairy-nosed otter, the Asian small-clawed otter, the African clawless otter, the Congo clawless otter, the Giant otter, the Smooth-coated otter, the Spotted-necked otter, and (of course) the Sea otter.

It is impossible to prove that absolutely NOBODY eats otters, but in a majority of areas otters aren't used as food. It's actually illegal to even disturb them in nature preserves.

I think the otter is very cool animal people who are reading this don't go on wiki answers it is full of big fat liars well i am not a liar because I am the one telling u !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOODNIGHTSANDIAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Usually Wales

Sea otters face a number of dangers in the wild including disease from land animals (specifically encephalitis caused by waste from cats and opossums), chemicals threat from runoff (PCBs and tributylin), fishing nets and traps, natural predators like sharks, overactive kelp (red tide), and most of all oil. Oil is the number one threat to the survival of the sea otter.

Sea otters can live up to 25 years of age, although the average life span is 10 to 12 years.

Otters are approximately as smart as leopards.

Karana named the otter Mon-an-ee at first, then realised it was a female, and named it Won-an-ee.

All mammals are chordates. Mammals include such animals as humans, dogs, monkeys, etc.

It is 40 - 65 in. (100 - 160 cm) long and weighs 35 - 90 lbs (16 - 40 kg). For the source and more detailed information concerning this request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated below this answer box.