Three varieties of river otters are among the twelve species of otters found worldwide, along with numerous subspecies. They belong to the Lutrinae subfamily and the Mustelidae family.
The majority of otters are small creatures with smooth brown fur that occasionally has white or light gray areas on the underside. They are protected from the elements when swimming by a covering of unique hairs.
The biggest otters can reach amazing heights of five and a half feet and weights of more than fifty pounds. Most are smaller, though, weighing between 6 and 28 pounds (3 and 13 kg) and measuring between 14 and 38 inches (35 and 96.5 cm) in length.
Their tails frequently account for a significant amount of their overall size.
Since they spend time both on land and in the water, almost all otters are semiaquatic. Their most common environment is water, including rivers and oceans. Nearly all sea otters and marine otters are marine mammals.
They give birth to live offspring, known as puppies or kittens, and typically have one or two in each litter. Being clever creatures, otters can use objects like boulders to aid in their food acquisition.
Occasionally, otters will “juggle” these rocks, giving the impression that they are playing. They are often very active creatures that use the webs between their toes to assist them swim swiftly through the water.
Depending on the species, they are also highly gregarious creatures. Their colonies, which may have as many as 20 otters apiece, may be organized in particular hierarchies.
One of the best examples of the Mustelidae family is the otter. They have long tails, short legs, and long, tube-like bodies. Most of their mustelid cousins have all of these characteristics. Because of their watery lifestyle, otters share characteristics with seals and even polar bears outside of the Mustelidae family.
1. Black-footed Ferret
Scientific name: Mustela nigripes
Quick summary: The habitat and body shape of black-footed ferrets are identical to those of northern river otters.
Ferrets and otters share a common ancestor, and both belong to the Mustelidae family. Both possess the typical mustelid traits of long bodies and short legs.
Black-footed ferrets weigh roughly two and a half pounds (1125 grams) and measure 15 to 24 inches (38 to 60 cm) in length. Their sizes are comparable as well.
In addition, black-footed ferrets are the only ferrets that are indigenous to North America. Similarly, northern river otters are found only in North America.
2. European Polecat
Scientific name: Mustela putorius
Quick summary: The anatomy, carnivorous food, and lifespan of polecats and otters are identical.
Similar to otters, European polecats are mustelids with long, tube-like bodies. They are similar in color as well, typically having a paler underside and brown fur on top.
Polecats and otters, like many other mustelids, are carnivores. The typical lifespan of a polecat in the wild is ten years.
In general, otter lifespans range from 8 to 14 years, depending on the species.
3. Sables
Scientific name: Martes zibellina
Quick summary: Similar in color, otter and sable fur is highly sought after.
The Mustelidae family includes sables, which have silky, opulent fur. They have a light patch on their throat and are otherwise light to dark brown in color.
Due to the softness of their fur, sables are frequently raised or hunted for their pelts. The marine fur trade used to include otter pelts, specifically those of sea otters.
4. Ermines
Scientific name: Mustela erminea
Quick summary: Otter and ermine children need the same kind of intimate female care.
The roles that ermines and otters play as young and parents are quite similar. Their young are unable of taking care of themselves and are born with their eyes closed.
For two to three months, the infants are dependent on their moms. Ermines and ferrets do not assist in raising their offspring
5. American Beaver
Scientific name: Castor canadensis
Quick summary: Male beavers and clawless otters are monogamous and assist females in raising their young.
Despite belonging to distinct families, otters and beavers have a number of characteristics in common.
They are both at least semi-aquatic, to start. Although they are common on land, they spend a lot of time in the water.
Like the Asian clawless, or small-clawed, otter and the smooth-coated otter, the American beaver is also monogamous. These species’ males and females are involved in childrearing as well.
After birth, male beavers assist in feeding and protecting their young. In addition to providing food, some male otters assist in constructing the nest prior to the birth of the young.
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6. Polar Bears
Scientific name: Ursus maritimus
Quick summary: Sea otters have similar insulating coats and resemble miniature polar bears.
A polar bear is not likely to be mistaken for an otter. Just the difference in size is astounding. While the tiniest polar bears weigh over 300 pounds, the largest otter may reach over 50 pounds.
In spite of this, there are surprisingly many similarities between sea otters and polar bears. Sea otters, for example, have faces that are far more rounded and fluffy than those of their riverine counterparts.
Actually, they resemble little bears much more. Additionally, they typically have faces that are lighter and more polar bear-white.
Alaska is home to both sea otters and polar bears, both of which favor maritime environments.
A layer of “guard hairs” keeps them warm in cold water. They keep air near their skin to protect themselves from the water.
7. American Mink
Scientific name: Neovison vison
Quick summary: It might be difficult to distinguish semi-aquatic minks from river otters due to their similar appearance.
Minks resemble otters more than any other mustelid. The Mustelidae family’s characteristic long body and short legs are shared by both of them. They also have quite comparable wide, broad tails that taper to a point.
Like many river otters, minks usually have dark brown coats and feet that are somewhat webbed. Their preference for locations close to water stems from their semi-aquatic nature.
Since otters spend so much time in the water, guard hairs are a necessary feature. Minks also have a coating of guard hairs. This fur coating provides insulation and waterproofing.
8. Long-tailed Weasels
Scientific name: Mustela frenata
Quick summary: These otters and weasels communicate by sharing smell glands and a tapering tale.
Both weasels and otters have tiny legs and tube-like bodies, which are common for creatures of the Mustela genus. Like otters, long-tailed weasels have long tails that taper to a point, as their name implies.
Highly developed anal smell glands are used for defense and communication by all mustelids, including otters and weasels. The reproductive status of female otters and weasels is indicated by their unique scent.
Weasels and otters similarly mark their territory by rubbing their glands on different surfaces. This keeps rival animals and males of the same species from leaving their homes.
9. American Martens
Scientific name: Martes americana
Quick summary: Newborn martens and otters are blind and temporarily dependent on their mothers.
Martens have short legs with sharp claws on each toe, and their bodies are long. Despite having a greater variety of fur colors, they resemble river otters in appearance.
Martens raise their young similarly to certain river otters. The females are in charge of constructing their den, providing food, and watching for their young.
It barely takes a month or so for river otters and martens to open their eyes after they are born with them closed.
10. Northern Fur Seal
Scientific name: Callorhinus ursinus
Quick summary: The hue and texture of these seals’ fur is similar to that of sea otters.
Despite belonging to separate taxonomic groups, all seals are similar to otters. Both animals are marine mammals and predators.
Sea otters and seals are polygynous, which means that their males have several partners. The females give birth to live puppies.
Additionally, there is a group of seals that are even more similar to sea otters due to a unique characteristic.
Animals are covered in coarse hair and have a dense underfur. It frequently comes in a variety of browns that resemble otter fur in color.
One family, the Otariidae, has nine species of “fur seals.” The Otariidae are members of the suborder Caniformia, just like the Mustelidae family of otters.
11. Marsh Mongoose
Scientific name: Atilax paludinosus
Quick summary: In appearance and sound, mongooses resemble otters, despite belonging to distinct families.
Rather of being mustelids, mongooses belong to the Herpestidae family. They do have some similarities, though, as they are both members of the group Carnivora.
For example, the marsh mongoose resembles an otter in that it has a large body and short legs. Additionally, they typically have dark fur and the same tapering tail.
Their hands and feet have fur as smooth as an otter’s, despite the fact that their fur is primarily shaggy.
They also employ a variety of unique vocalizations to express their excitement and communicate. As a means of communication and protection, otters also sing and chatter a lot.
12. Lesser Grison
Scientific name: Galictis cuja
Quick summary: A social nature that is uncommon in other mustelids is shared by otters and lesser grison.
The smaller grison shares the same body structure as otters, although having colors more akin to that of a badger. They have long, tapering tails and sturdy legs to support their short, lengthy bodies.
Gryphons are polygynous, like many otters. Additionally, they have a sociable nature that is uncommon among mustelids, much like otters.
In the wild and in captivity, they travel in groups, typically consisting of females and young.
13. Tayra
Scientific name: Eira barbara
Quick summary: A mustelid with long legs that can play just as much as otters.
Like otters, tayras have long bodies and tails, but they have significantly longer legs. Additionally, animals spend far more time on land and in trees than otters do. They balance in the treetops with the aid of their long tails.
They are friendly, which is one feature they have in common with otters. Tayras are occasionally kept as household pets, and otters are known for their lively nature.
They are primarily carnivorous, like otters, and are also adept at capturing rodents.
14. Wolverines
Scientific name: Gulo gulo
Quick summary: In the past, wolverines and otters were both involved in the fur trade.
One of the biggest mustelids, wolverines differ greatly from otters in the majority of ways. Like certain otters, they are polygamous and possess the typical smell glands found in other mustelids.
Because of their fur, wolverines are most resemble otters. In the past, these animals played a significant role in the fur trade in North America. Thankfully, they are both legally protected in many places these days.
15. Eurasian Badger
Scientific name: Meles meles
Quick summary: These badgers are more sociable than other badgers, much like otters.
These badgers range in length from 22 to 35 inches (55 to 88 cm), which is comparable to that of otters. Additionally, their tails can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm).
They have a unique stripe pattern that otters lack, and their coloring is gray instead of brown.
Nonetheless, they share social groups with otters that other badgers do not. Packs of up to 20 animals will travel with both species.
Conclusion
Otters are recognizable animals that can be found everywhere in the world. They also divide their time between land and water, making them part of a relatively small group of marine mammals.
They share many characteristics with the other creatures on this list because of their semi-aquatic nature and certain morphological characteristics.
The majority of mustelids, including otters, have short legs and a distinctly tube-like shape. This implies that creatures that inhabit entirely different habitats, such as weasels, can nonetheless resemble otters in appearance.
Some can also reproduce similarly to otters, such as ermines and martens. Otters-like traits are also seen in other species that are not even related to one another. It includes other marine mammals such as beavers, seals, and mongooses.
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