North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Dimensions & Drawings

What are mustelids?

Mustelids is the mammal family that encompasses 55 species of ferrets, polecats, badgers, martens, otters, wolverines, as well as weasels. Mustelids are carnivores that live in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats around the world, except for Australia, Antarctica, and oceanic islands.

What do mustelids eat?

Most mustelids consume a carnivorous diet, but some species sometimes eat plants as well. Many mustelids feed when the opportunity arises while some prey small mammals. For example, weasels prey rodents, while otters capture fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. Some species of mustelids prey on animals that are larger than them.

Do mustelids make good pets?

Some mustelids can make good pets if they have the right owner. For example, ferrets as a pet are easy to exercise, can be litter trained, easy to feed, sociable, and affectionate. While weasels as pets are not suitable for everyone as they can be a risk to other pets and can bite in self-defense if not treated properly.

What are mustelids?

Mustelids is the mammal family that encompasses 55 species of ferrets, polecats, badgers, martens, otters, wolverines, as well as weasels. Mustelids are carnivores that live in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats around the world, except for Australia, Antarctica, and oceanic islands.

What do mustelids eat?

Most mustelids consume a carnivorous diet, but some species sometimes eat plants as well. Many mustelids feed when the opportunity arises while some prey small mammals. For example, weasels prey rodents, while otters capture fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. Some species of mustelids prey on animals that are larger than them.

Do mustelids make good pets?

Some mustelids can make good pets if they have the right owner. For example, ferrets as a pet are easy to exercise, can be litter trained, easy to feed, sociable, and affectionate. While weasels as pets are not suitable for everyone as they can be a risk to other pets and can bite in self-defense if not treated properly.

What do species in the order of Carnivora have in common?

Species in the order Carnivora, whether cats or dogs, eat only flesh. That means they have to venture out and hunt for food unless domesticated. Among the most common physical features possessed by members of this species are powerful jaws, limbs, and agility. Besides, their digestive system is less complicated compared to herbivores.

What is the largest land animal in the Carnivora order?

Bears are the largest among land carnivores. You can find them in the inhospitable environments in the Northern Hemisphere. Male polar bears can weigh up to 700 kgs and can hunt both on land and at sea. This is made possible by a body covered in thick fur and fat reserves that help them to easily swim and dive in cold waters.

Are all animals in the Carnivora order carnivores?

Carnivores eat a wide range of meat dishes but not all of them depend only on meat and fish. For example, pandas are carnivores but feed on plant materials. Their digestive system is suited to digest bamboo shoots and leaves. There are also cases of domesticated dogs and cats eating corn.

What do species in the order of Carnivora have in common?

Species in the order Carnivora, whether cats or dogs, eat only flesh. That means they have to venture out and hunt for food unless domesticated. Among the most common physical features possessed by members of this species are powerful jaws, limbs, and agility. Besides, their digestive system is less complicated compared to herbivores.

What is the largest land animal in the Carnivora order?

Bears are the largest among land carnivores. You can find them in the inhospitable environments in the Northern Hemisphere. Male polar bears can weigh up to 700 kgs and can hunt both on land and at sea. This is made possible by a body covered in thick fur and fat reserves that help them to easily swim and dive in cold waters.

Are all animals in the Carnivora order carnivores?

Carnivores eat a wide range of meat dishes but not all of them depend only on meat and fish. For example, pandas are carnivores but feed on plant materials. Their digestive system is suited to digest bamboo shoots and leaves. There are also cases of domesticated dogs and cats eating corn.

What are common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps?

The most common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps include having webbed feet to help them move quickly through water environments as well as camouflage to protect themselves. Camouflage also helps them hide within their surroundings and hunt. Animals that live in swamps also can remain in the water for an extended time.

What do swamp animals eat?

Swamp animals typically eat insects, spiders, earthworms, as well as slugs. Swamp animals usually eat the animals that fall below them in the food chain and are native to the swamp habitats. Swamp Animals often eat small fish, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Herbivore swamp animals eat algae, water lilies, cattails, and algae.

How do wetlands help endangered species?

Wetlands help endangered species because they improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Wetlands are also important as they maintain ecosystem productivity, reduce coastal storm damage, and provide recreational opportunities. Wetlands are significant in the preservation of endangered species by improving water supply and providing possibilities for education.

What are common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps?

The most common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps include having webbed feet to help them move quickly through water environments as well as camouflage to protect themselves. Camouflage also helps them hide within their surroundings and hunt. Animals that live in swamps also can remain in the water for an extended time.

What do swamp animals eat?

Swamp animals typically eat insects, spiders, earthworms, as well as slugs. Swamp animals usually eat the animals that fall below them in the food chain and are native to the swamp habitats. Swamp Animals often eat small fish, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Herbivore swamp animals eat algae, water lilies, cattails, and algae.

How do wetlands help endangered species?

Wetlands help endangered species because they improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Wetlands are also important as they maintain ecosystem productivity, reduce coastal storm damage, and provide recreational opportunities. Wetlands are significant in the preservation of endangered species by improving water supply and providing possibilities for education.

How are freshwater animals adapted to their environment?

Freshwater animals adapt to their environment through gills that obtain oxygen and allow them to live in rivers and streams in which the water is cooler and has a higher oxygen level. Freshwater animals also need to swim fast to catch food and utilize their environment to create their home.

Why are freshwater animals going extinct?

Freshwater animals are going extinct due to the creation of man-made elements that block migration routes for fish and disrupt habitats. The water withdrawal for human use also shrinks and degrades habitats as well as the draining of wetlands for development depletes habitats. Other reasons include overexploitation, pollution, and global warming.

How can we protect freshwater fish?

We can protect freshwater fish by establishing multiple solutions. These solutions include restricting the construction of dams and establishing protected wetlands. Other solutions to protect freshwater fish are regulating water withdrawal for human use and incentive for farming businesses to reduce the use of pesticides.

How are freshwater animals adapted to their environment?

Freshwater animals adapt to their environment through gills that obtain oxygen and allow them to live in rivers and streams in which the water is cooler and has a higher oxygen level. Freshwater animals also need to swim fast to catch food and utilize their environment to create their home.

Why are freshwater animals going extinct?

Freshwater animals are going extinct due to the creation of man-made elements that block migration routes for fish and disrupt habitats. The water withdrawal for human use also shrinks and degrades habitats as well as the draining of wetlands for development depletes habitats. Other reasons include overexploitation, pollution, and global warming.

How can we protect freshwater fish?

We can protect freshwater fish by establishing multiple solutions. These solutions include restricting the construction of dams and establishing protected wetlands. Other solutions to protect freshwater fish are regulating water withdrawal for human use and incentive for farming businesses to reduce the use of pesticides.

How do animals adapt to the coast?

Animals adapt to the coast by adjusting to living in salty water as well as being able to withstand being covered or uncovered by the tide. Further coastal adaptations also include being able to hide or escape quickly from predators, finding food, and staying in a safe place as the tides move.

Why are coasts important for wildlife?

Coasts are important for wildlife because they serve as nesting grounds for species of sea turtles as well as are habitats for animals like beach mice. Coasts are also important foraging areas for migratory shorebirds. Coasts are important as they are used in cohesion by all species of animals.