Otters as Specific Mammals - Research Paper Example

The Mammal Research: Otters Introduction Mammals are a kind of animals that are recognized as vertebrates, and share a number of common characteristics. Generally, all mammals are warm-blooded animals. This means that the body temperature of mammals is constant, thus the animals do not have to adjust their body temperature depending on the kind of environment they are in. In addition, the body of all mammals is covered with fur or hair, and finally, most mammals give birth to their young ones, and when young mammals are born, during the early days of their life, they feed on the milk that their mother produces. Different mammals live in different habitats, depending on the kind of food they consume. Therefore, mammals can be found in deserts, near wetlands, forests, and near water bodies. This paper presents a study research that focuses on specific mammals referred to as “Otters,” and the research is about how otters socialize. There is presentation of data, and conclusions are made from the data. Otters are mammals that live or found in water, hence referred to as marine or aquatic mammals. These are considered to be the smallest kind of mammals that live in water. In order to keep warm, otters have thick fur on their body. There are different types of otters, including sea otters, giant otters, and river otters. One of the differentiating factors of these otters is their area of habitation. Nonetheless, otters can be found in Europe, Asia, North America, parts of North Africa, and South America. A common characteristic of all otters is that they exhibit a high level of social behaviour. These marine mammals for instance hang out in groups, based on their sexes. While female otters spend time together, their male counterparts also do spend their time together in groups. The otters that are mothers to young ones spend a great deal of their time nursing the young ones, as well as grooming them. These also carry their young ones on their chests (Dickerson 2-3). For this research on otters, it was important to locate a safe, convenient and accessible place, where otters could be found easily. This is mainly because, this is a primary research study, and hence first-hand experience was essential. It was deemed appropriate to conduct the research study in the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. This aquarium is located in Chicago, and is an indoor aquarium. In the aquarium, there are more than 30,000 marine animals, together with those that inhabit aerial and terrestrial environments (Shedd Aquarium Web). After scheduling and buying tickets, the study proceeded, as this was a convenient place to find the otters and study them. The study took a maximum of three days. In each day, the researcher dedicated a maximum of two hours to study the otters. These therefore, were 6 hours of study. The data was collected through the data collection method of observation, as the researcher only observed the otters. Observations were recorded on paper, while some were recorded on the camera as still photos and videos of the otters. Hypothesis This research study aimed at proving the following hypothesis: Otters exhibit a great level of social behaviour, which is essential to them for survival. This research was important to undertake, in order to learn about the nature of otters, especially their behaviour and how they interact with one another. Human beings are the widely known to be social animals. However, some other animals have also exhibited the aspect of being social. In this research therefore, it was important to note whether or not otters are solitary animals or independent of each other, or whether they are depend on each other. Therefore, in order to collect data that pertains to this hypothesis, it was important to focus on various traits of the otters in their interactions with each other that relate to being social. These include fighting one another, older otters taking care of the young otters, and sharing food among the otters, among others. Materials and Method In order to ensure an effective research study, it was necessary to include or use various material in the data collection process. As noted, the main method of data collection used in this study was observation. In this case therefore, for the purpose of recording, a video recorder was necessary. In addition, for the purposes of timing the observation time, it was necessary to have a stop watch. Due to failure of owning a stop watch, the research used their mobile phone as a stop watch. On the other hand, a pen and notebook were important for note taking, which the researcher utilized. Finally, the aquarium was also available, as this was the major source of otters to be observed. Results On the first day of the research study, the main focus of the researcher was drawn to the physical aspect of the otters. Being not so acquainted with otters, it was important to understand the physical capacity of the otters before studying them, as the physical aspect influences the behavioural aspect of different organisms. The researcher based on the method of observation with naked eye in order to learn about the physical aspect of otters. In addition, the researcher took photos of the otters, as well as videos showing how they move around. Results from observing the otters on this day showed that otters have a highly thick layer of fur. The colour of most otters was dark brown. In addition, with regard to their size, otters are small animals, as compared to other mammals such as cats and dogs. With regard to the food they eat and their feeding habits, it was noted that otters mainly consume sea food. This includes different types of fish, frogs, crayfish, earthworms, and shellfish, among others. On the second day, different observations were made about otters. On this day, the researcher focused on the aspect of behaviour of the otters. Studying the behaviour of otters was key in determining how social these animals are. Being the major study aspect and as broad as it is, the researcher broke this aspect into different parts. Therefore, on the second day, focus was on feeding behaviours of otters and their movement With regard to movement, it was noted that the otters moved together in pairs. No single otter was solitarily moving alone. No matter the distance covered during the movement, the otters went together and came back together without leaving any of them behind. These mainly swam through the water from one point to another. On the other hand, with regard to feeding, it was noted that otters first had to look for the food that they would feed on. If it were in the sea or water body, this would be called foraging. However, in the aquarium, it was quite easy for the otters to find food. The researcher observed that the otters undertook collective efforts to find their food. This means that they went together to look for food, and no otter was left behind. They coordinated in catching their prey. At some point, an observation was made of two otters pursuing one fish. This therefore, showed combined effort. When it came to eating, it was also observed that the otters, although ate individually, at some point, some shared their food with those that had no food. Furthermore, it was noted that some otters shared a shell to use when eating their food. This therefore, is a sign of tool using that manifested in the otters. After catching their prey, depending on the size of the prey, it was observed that one otter helped another to put the prey in their armpit. The armpit of an otter can hold food, as it has folds of loose skin. Overall, the observations show combined effort in food searching and eating habits of otters, as they do this collectively. On the third day, focus of the researcher was on grooming. It was observed that the otters spent a lot of time on grooming. After feeding, the otters swam in the water, probably to remove any food scraps they had gained during feeding time. In addition, the researcher identified the only mother among the otters cleaning the fur of the young one, untangling any knots that were in the young one’s fur, and squeezing water out of the young one’s fur. The same happened among the other otters, which took time to groom one another. During the time of grooming, the otters also took that time to bond with one another. The mother otter was observed rubbing the fur of the young otter. On the other hand, the other otters were observed equally brushing each other’s fur. The otters were also observed holding one another. No otter was seen grooming itself alone. Nonetheless, the otters can therefore, be considered to practise mutual grooming. Just as in the feeding behaviour, the grooming behaviour of the otters involved collective efforts, as the otters groomed one another in turns. In addition, the researcher had expected to observe any situations, where the otters resented one another, or fought each other. However, the researcher did not observe any form of fighting among the otters, as they tended to coexist in a peaceful manner. Discussion From the observations that the researcher made, it is possible to reach different conclusions. This is important in order to prove whether the hypothesis of this research study is true or false. The results of this research study are therefore, capable of pointing out how social or not the otters are. Overall, in this research study, the aspects that have been observed in the nature of otters include physical capacity and behaviour, including movements, feeding, and grooming. An analysis of the results of these aspects will help to determine whether otters are social or not social. With regard to the physical appearance of the otters, the most notable aspect was the dense fur that the otters spotted. From interactions with animals that have fur, it is clear that most animals like to have their fur straightened and not rugged. For instance, the cat licks its fur in order to straighten it and have it pushed back. Therefore, for animals with less dense fur, it is easier for them to straighten their fur by themselves without necessarily being helped out by others. However, since the otters have quite heavy fur, it can be presumed that having them straighten their fur by themselves would be challenging, hence the need for combined effort. Therefore, this major physical characteristic of otters contributes to them being social animals. In addition, in this case, it becomes necessary that the otters are social, failure to which they would not experience the benefit of helping one another to straighten their fur. On the other hand, the observation showed that the otters moved together in a group, and it was rare to find one otter moving on its own. According to Tinbergen, social has to do with more than one individual (1). Moving in groups might imply the need for protection and security. In the water there are other different types of animals that could pose as a danger to the otters. In addition, the young otters require protection from their mother otters and other older otters. Therefore, the fact that the otters move together means that they care for one another, and want to ensure the protection of each one of them. Caring for one another is an aspect that is found in humanity, as people are always concerned of one another. Caring for one another is therefore, a representation of an animal being social. This therefore, depicts otters as social animals. It is necessary that otters are social and care for one another through moving in groups in order for the protection of each one of them, including the young, thus ensuring that they survive through time. On the other hand, the observation on the feeding behaviour of otters also can be used to prove whether otters are social or not. It was observed that otters use combined effort and coordination to search for food and collect food. It was also seen that otters share their food. Most animals tend to fight for food and not share amongst themselves. However, human beings are known to share their food, as they are social animals. In this case therefore, the otters share a similar characteristic with human beings with regard to their feeding habits. This therefore, makes otters just like human beings, social animals. It is essential for otters to be social with regards to foraging and feeding habits for various reasons. First, when otters search for food together, it is easier for them to catch their prey, as they combine their efforts. This is as opposed for one otter foraging alone. On the other hand, eating together shows that otters enjoy the company of each other. These also share this characteristic with humans, who feed together. This therefore, proves that otters are social animals, and this is to their advantage. With respect to grooming, it was observed that otters take care of each other by grooming one another. For instance, a mother otter will groom its young one, and be groomed by another otter, which she will also groom in return. Grooming is an aspect of behaviour that is practised mostly by human beings. Mothers groom their children, and people take care of each other by ensuring that one is well groomed. In this case, otters share this aspect of behaviour with human beings, and this makes them to be recognized among the social animals. Apart from showing concern for one another during the process of grooming, this also serves different functions. As seen, the otters, after feeding plunged themselves in the water and washed off scraps of food off their bodies. This therefore, shows that otters are concerned about their state of cleanliness. This characteristic is also found in human beings, who are social animals. Minding one’s cleanliness is important, especially when interacting with other people. Therefore, since otters interact and socialize with one another at a greater level, they seem to understand the importance of staying clean. In addition, when grooming, the otters seem to use this as a time of bonding between each one of them. Bonding happens at different levels, and this is important in order to maintain ties between a group of people, as well as different individuals. In the case of the otters, it was observed that the mother otter groomed her young one, while other otters groomed one another. For the case of the mother otter and her young one, grooming reflects maternal instincts. During the grooming process, the mother otter also played with the young otter. This therefore, shows that the mother otter identifies the young otter as its own, hence the love and bonding between the two of them through grooming. Finally, grooming among other older otters also served as an opportunity for them to bond and strengthen ties between and among them. From the way the otters performed the grooming, it could be seen to mean something beyond just physical neatness, as the otters also were playful with one another in the process. Therefore, grooming can be seen to play different roles, which reflect how social otters are. Overall, otters display great level of cooperation in their dealings, and Tinbergen (2) notes that cooperation among animals is a sign that they are social in nature. Conclusion This paper has presented a study research that was conducted to determine whether otters are social and its essence to them. This was a primary research, where first hand data was collected. The main data collection method was observation. Nonetheless, results showed that otters depict behavioural aspects such as mutual foraging, mutual grooming, and moving in groups. These findings when analysed prove that otters are social animals. This is because these behavioural aspects are linked to being social. The essence of being social is to ensure protection and survival, considering the kind of environment the otters live in. Works Cited Dickerson Jack. “Sea Otter.” New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Shedd Aquarium. 2014. Web. Tinbergen, T. “Social Behaviour in Animals (Psychology Revivals): With Special Reference to Vertebrates.” New York: Psychology Press, 2013. . Read More