Marine Otter

Lontra felina


Population on Decline 800-2,000

Endangered Species

The charismatic marine mammal Lontra felina resides along the rocky coasts of Chile, Argentina, and Peru. Also, known as Chungungo. They are known to be the smallest marine mammals and feast on small crustaceans and fish. These little creatures have unfortunately made their way to the endangered list and the population numbers are continually declining.

Every organism on the amazing planet we call home has something unique that sets them apart from other species. The marine otter drew my interest because this particular species of otter is hyper-localized to only this area in the world. They are not as popular or known as other sea otters. [1]

(Lopes & Valqui, 2020)

POPULATION DECLINING[1]

Population Declining

(Lopes & Valqui, 2020)

What is the difference between the Marine otter and the Sea Otter?

Marine Otter (Lontra felina)

Reside on rocky shorelines. Specifically in Chile, Peru, and Argentina. As you can see in this image this otter has legs that are used for climbing rocks and can move faster on land. [4]

(River Otters vs Sea Otters: What’s the Difference? - American Oceans, 2021)

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

Live in the North Pacific ocean shores. Stretching from Alaska to Russia. Notably, their "feet" are more webbed and better at swimming than walking on land. [4]

(River Otters vs Sea Otters: What’s the Difference? - American Oceans, 2021)

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Key Terms:

Resources

  1. Lopes, M., & Valqui, J. (2020, January 20). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lontra felina. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; Name. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12303/95970132

  2. OctoberCMS. (2022). Sea Otters | The Marine Mammal Center. Marinemammalcenter.org. https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/animal-care/learn-about-marine-mammals/sea-otters

  3. Lontra felina (marine otter). (2022). Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lontra_felina/

  4. River Otters Vs Sea Otters: What’s the Difference? - American Oceans. (2021, August 19). American Oceans. https://www.americanoceans.org/facts/river-otters-vs-sea-otters/

  5. Marine Otter (Lontra felina) | IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group. (2017). IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group. https://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/osg-newsite/otr_species/marine-otter-lontra-felina/

  6. Marine Otter. (2022, July 14). Oceana. https://oceana.org/marine-life/marine-otter/

  7. Marine Otter - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. (2022). Animalia.bio. https://animalia.bio/marine-otter

  8. Sea Otter - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. (2012). Animalia.bio. https://animalia.bio/sea-otter

  9. Otter Facts, Types, Diet, Reproduction, Classification, Pictures. (2022, June). Animal Spot. https://www.animalspot.net/otter

  10. International Otter Awareness Day | River Otter Ecology Project. (2021). Riverotterecology.org. https://riverotterecology.org/international-otter-awareness-day/

  11. Marine Conservation Institute. (2021, June 17). Green Light for Chilean Conservation: The President of Chile Makes Piedra del Viento an Official Coastal Marine Sanctuary» Marine Conservation Institute. Marine Conservation Institute. https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/piedra-del-viento-an-official-coastal-sanctuary/

  12. Marine Otter. (2015, October 30). “OCEAN TREASURES” Memorial Library. https://otlibrary.com/marine-otter/

  13. Photos of Marine Otter (Lontra felina) · iNaturalist NZ. (2018). INaturalist NZ. https://inaturalist.nz/taxa/41776-Lontra-felina/browse_photos

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