It is shared with many of the hybrids’ semi-aquatic species the beaver and the otters to name but a few.
In fact, the two can sometimes be very problematic to tell apart especially when they are viewed from a distance. Nevertheless, these differences matter or should matter.
Beavers are semi-aquatic herbivores that construct dams and water dens while chomping down trees. They resemble groundhogs in appearance and are a gregarious, non-aggressive species. Otters tend to be lighter-colored and have rounder faces. They are a solitary, violent species that eats small mammals and fish. Although they can live in abandoned beaver burrows, otters do not construct dams.
A brief summary of the differences and similarities between otters vs beavers can be found in the table below:
| Characteristics | Otters | Beavers |
|---|---|---|
| Classification (family) | Mustelidae | Castoridae |
| Appearance | different tones of brown, with a lighter underside and a darker back. | Fur that ranges from gray to reddish-brown, more consistent in color than otters but lighter on the underbelly. |
| Skull & teeth | Short noses and round, hairy faces. Canine teeth are long and sharp. | The muzzle is significantly less wide, while the skull is relatively big, and a really large pair of incisors. |
| Length | 2 to 6 feet long | 2 to 3.25 feet long |
| Shoulder height | Approx. 12 inches | 8 to 9 inches |
| Weight | 10 to 90 pounds | 35 to 65 pounds |
| Bite force | 615 PSI | 1,073 PSI |
| Speed (in water) | 6 mph | 4 mph |
| Diet | Carnivore | Vegetarian |
| Behavior | Solitary | Social |
| Reproduction | Polygamous | Monogamous |
| Habitat | Rivers and seas | Rivers and lakes |
| Geographic range | North & South America, Europe, Asia, Africa | North America, Europe, Asia |
Scientific journals, research papers, and other official sources referenced throughout the text provided the data of otters vs beavers in the above table. The data presented pertains to averages for beavers and otters in general. The truth may differ depending on the subspecies.
Otters Vs Beavers: 12 Major Differences And Cross Similarities
1. Classification
In many ways the two animals can seem similar to an inexperienced observer. The only other physical similarity that they share is that they are both mammals, occasionally giving birth to live young, as a rule, one offspring at a time.
In the same manner to badgers, ferrets, wolverines, and weasels, otters are carnivorous members of the Mustelidae Order.
Beavers are members of the castors family and are rodents. They have more in common with pocket mice, kangaroo rats, and gophers than with otters.
2. Appearance
The fact that both beavers and otters are semi-aquatic creatures is one commonality between them. To help in swimming, both species have flat tails, webbed feet, and stockier bodies. However, the resemblance ends here.
Otters often have a brownish-white chin and throat and range in hue from mild to darker brown. Their tails are thick, tapered, and covered with short hairs, and their bodies resemble those of other mustelids.
Beavers’ coats are more reddish-brown or yellowish. Although there is a slight color variation between the neck and chin fur and the back fur, the color difference is still noticeable. The color difference is significantly more noticeable in otters.
The length and form of a beaver’s tail can also differ, ranging from short and wide to long and narrow. Nonetheless, it typically has black scales and is hairless. Beavers appear to resemble groundhogs from afar.
3. Skull & Teeth
Beavers’ disproportionately large skulls in relation to the rest of their bodies are one of their most noticeable characteristics.
Similar to other rodents, these creatures have big heads with a narrower muzzle. Beavers are obviously rodents based on their dental formula and tooth morphology.
The two front incisors are the biggest and most noticeable of the 20 teeth that beavers have. They only have two premolar teeth and no canines. Actually, I.C.PM.M – 1.0.1.3 is the dental formula for hemimaxilla.
The appearance and composition of their teeth indicate that otters are carnivores. Like other predators, otters have a similar dental formula. For the hemimaxilla, their I.C.PM.M. is 3.1.4.1.
On the lower jaw, they have an additional pair of molars, just like other carnivores like coyotes (3.1.4.2).
Additionally, otter skulls are rounder, with wide eyes, rounder, flatter noses, and eye sockets higher on the skull.
4. Size
Adult otters can grow to a height of around 12 inches at the shoulder and often range in length from two to six feet.
Beavers are normally between two and slightly over three feet long, with shoulder heights of eight to nine inches.
That is not to argue that otters are inherently larger than beavers, though.
Giant otters are unquestionably larger, although the majority of river otters, which share habitats with beavers, can seem smaller. The reason for this is that beavers usually have bent backs that are at least 12 inches in height.
Beavers appear larger overall due to their stockier bodies compared to otters.
Sea also: 15 Best Animals Like Otters (With Photos)
5. Weight
Beavers may have an advantage in terms of body mass because to their stockier bodies.
Males tend to be larger and heavier than females, with an average weight of 35 to 65 pounds.
These creatures can weigh anything between 10 and 90 pounds when taking into account all otter species. On the other hand, river otters are often lighter, weighing between 11 and 30 pounds.
6. Bite Force
River otters and beavers often share a territory, even though the majority of otter species do not share the same habitat.
Usually, the two species don’t interact, however in a battle, who might hurt the other more? The beavers, it would seem.
According to a study on American beaver eating efficiency, the incisor biting power of these animals can reach 1,073 PSI.
It should come as no surprise that beavers can chop down trees with their powerful jaws and teeth.
Otters are about twice as weak as beavers, with a biting force of just 615 PSI, yet they may have a bite force that is far stronger than that of humans and other predators.
7. Speed (In Water)
The pace at which they swim is another distinction between otters vs beavers.
In the water, otters may travel up to six miles per hour. Beavers are rather slow swimmers, with the exception of swimming up to four miles per hour.
It also could be because beavers are mostly either swimming or dozing in the water most of the time which they are misunderstood as lazy. They feed on the floor for most of their diet.
Fish are otters’ primary food source. They must therefore move quickly in order to pursue and capture their prey.
8. Diet
The diets of otters vs beavers is one of their main distinctions.
Because they are carnivores, otters primarily eat water species. As apex predators in their environment, these small animals eat a wide range of fish, amphibians, and crustaceans, including carps, trout, salmon, mussels, snails, crabs, crayfish, turtles, and frogs.
In addition, they occasionally eat aquatic vegetation and birds and eggs.
Beavers mostly eat the cambium and bark of trees because they are lignivores. In addition, they consume aquatic plants as well as leaves and other plant matter.
They also have a strong predilection for fruits like apples, and they occasionally consume mushrooms.
9. Behavior
It might be difficult to describe otter behavior because each subspecies has unique characteristics.
In reference to river otters, they are isolated and hostile. They are more active at dawn and dusk because they are diurnal animals with crepuscular peaks.
However, river otters sleep at night and can be spotted catching fish, swimming, or feeding throughout the day.
River otters are very protective of their territory, which extends up to 48 miles along a canal.
Although they are gregarious creatures that live in colonies of up to eight related individuals, beavers are also territorial. Each of the members of the family employs branches and tree trunks which have been chewed off with the teeth to make their own nest on water body.
Beavers also build dams to regulate water flow, and make the environment less turbulent.
Otters’ activity patterns resemble those of beavers, such that the latter are crepuscular.
They are nocturnal, though, and are active all night long. People go long distances to find food at sunset and during the night.
Beavers do not hibernate like otters do, but they do construct food caches in the fall and spend the winter months within their dens, where they eat the food they have stored.
Otters must always catch fish and do not construct food caches.
10. Reproduction
The reproductive system part shows the major difference between river otters vs beavers.
Male and female beavers tend to have one partner for their lifetime that is, they can be said to be polygamous. The other partner might look for a new partner, though, if one passes away.
Beavers in North America breed once a year, with January and February being the height of the mating season. After an average gestation period of 128 days, the female gives birth to up to four kits.
Males and females only associate during the breeding season, which is often in late spring, because river otters are polygamous.
After a gestation period of roughly 60 days, females postpone implantation and give birth only between November and May.
11. Habitat
Otters vs beavers both inhabit areas close to sources of water, hence their habitats are comparable.
Regardless of their geographic range, beavers typically reside close to ponds, lakes, or rivers. Depending on their geographic area and subspecies, otters can be found next to lakes, ponds, rivers, seas, or oceans.
12. Geographic Range
Otters vs beavers are both found around the world, but otters’ range is wider. It is worth to know that except two regions they can be met in every country of the world – Antarctica and Australia.
Today beavers can be met in Asia, Europe and North America.
Who Would Win A Fight?
Although they don’t typically annoy one another, otters vs beavers may clash. Beavers wouldn’t necessarily have the advantage despite their larger bite and slight size discrepancies.
Otters are violent and used to killing because they are carnivores. Given that beavers are easily frightened away, their actions alone would provide them an edge. But if the beaver retaliates, it could repel the otter.