Otter vs. Seal: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on February 20, 2024
Otters are semi-aquatic mammals known for their slender bodies and playful behavior, while seals are aquatic mammals with fin-like limbs adapted for marine life.
Key Differences
Otters are semi-aquatic mammals, living both on land and in water, often in rivers or along coastlines. Seals are primarily aquatic and spend most of their life in the ocean, coming ashore mainly for breeding.
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Otters have elongated, slender bodies with webbed feet and a long tail, aiding in swimming. Seals possess a more streamlined, rounder body with flippers, making them excellent swimmers but less agile on land.
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Otters are carnivorous, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and small mammals. They are known for their playful behavior while hunting. Seals consume a diet of fish and squid and are adapted for deep and prolonged diving to hunt.
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Otters are often social and playful, sometimes seen in groups. They use tools, like rocks, to open shells. Seals are generally more solitary except during breeding seasons, and they do not use tools.
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Many otter species are considered endangered or threatened due to habitat loss and pollution. Seals face similar challenges, with some species at risk due to climate change and hunting.
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Comparison Chart
Body Shape
Elongated, slender with a long tail
Streamlined, rounder with flippers
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Social Behavior
Social, playful, uses tools
More solitary, congregates for breeding
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Otter and Seal Definitions
Otter
A playful, semi-aquatic mammal with a slender body.
The river otter slid playfully into the water.
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Seal
An aquatic mammal with streamlined body and flippers.
The seal glided effortlessly through the icy waters.
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Otter
Known for their dexterity and use of tools.
An otter was seen cracking open a shellfish with a rock.
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Seal
Primarily lives in oceanic environments.
Seals are commonly found lounging on coastal shores.
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Otter
Has webbed feet and a long tail for swimming.
The otter's webbed feet make it an excellent swimmer.
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Seal
Possesses fin-like limbs for efficient swimming.
The seal's flippers are well-adapted for marine life.
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Otter
A carnivorous mammal living near water bodies.
Otters are often spotted along the banks of streams and rivers.
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Seal
Part of the pinniped family.
Seals, as pinnipeds, are closely related to walruses and sea lions.
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Otter
Belongs to the family Mustelidae.
Otters, being part of the Mustelidae family, are related to weasels and badgers.
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Seal
A device or material that is used to close off or fasten an opening or connection, especially to prevent the escape of a liquid or gas
Used caulk as a seal around the window.
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Otter
Any of various aquatic or semiaquatic carnivorous mammals of the mustelid subfamily Lutrinae, having webbed feet and dense, dark brown fur.
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Seal
Something, such as a piece of tape, that is placed on a product or package to show that the contents have not been tampered with.
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Otter
An aquatic or marine carnivorous mammal in the subfamily Lutrinae of the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, polecats, badgers, and others.
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Seal
The water in the trap of a drain that prevents sewer gas from escaping into a room.
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Otter
(gay slang) A hairy man with a slender physique, in contrast with a bear, who is more thickset.
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Seal
A design used to identify a person or thing or to show that something is authentic, accurate, or of good quality
The title page is marked with the publisher's seal. Does the scale have the inspector's seal?.
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Otter
Any carnivorous animal of the genera Lutra, Enhydra, and related genera of the family Mustelidae. Several species are described. They have large, flattish heads, short ears, and webbed toes. They are aquatic, and feed on fish. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) also eats clams, crabs, starfish, abalone, and other marine animals; they may come to the surface, and lying on their backs using the stomach as a table, may be seen cracking open the shell of its prey with a rock. The common otter of Europe is Lutra vulgaris; the North American otter (or American otter) is Lutra Canadensis, which inhabits marshes, streams and rivers; other species inhabit South America and Asia. The North American otter adult is about three to four feet long (including the tail) and weighs from 10 to 30 pounds; the sea otter is commonly four feet long and 45 pounds (female) or 60 pounds (male). Their fur is soft and valuable, and in the nineteenth century they were hunted extensively. The sea otter was hunted to near extinction by 1900, and is now protected. Fewer than 3,000 sea otters are believed to live along the central California coast.
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Seal
A die or signet having a raised or incised emblem used to stamp an impression on a receptive substance such as wax or lead.
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Seal
The design or emblem itself, belonging exclusively to the user
A monarch's seal.
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Seal
A small disk or wafer of wax, lead, or paper bearing such an imprint and affixed to a document to prove authenticity or to secure it.
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Otter
Freshwater carnivorous mammal having webbed and clawed feet and dark brown fur
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Seal
An indication or symbol regarded as guaranteeing or authenticating something
The choral director gave the program his seal of approval.
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Seal
Any of various aquatic carnivorous mammals of the families Phocidae and Otariidae, found chiefly in cold regions and having a sleek torpedo-shaped body and limbs that are modified into paddlelike flippers.
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Seal
To prevent (a liquid or gas) from escaping
Charring a piece of meat seals in the juices.
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Seal
To cover, secure, or fill up (an opening)
Sealed the hole in the pipe with epoxy.
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Seal
To secure or prevent passage into and out of (an area). Often used with off
The police sealed off the crime scene.
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Seal
To affix a seal to (something) in order to prove authenticity, accuracy, or quality.
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Seal
Mormon Church To make (a marriage, for example) eternally binding; solemnize forever.
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Seal
A pinniped (Pinnipedia), particularly an earless seal (true seal) or eared seal.
The seals in the harbor looked better than they smelled.
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Seal
An impression of such stamp on wax, paper or other material used for sealing.
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Seal
A design or insignia usually associated with an organization or an official role.
The front of the podium bore the presidential seal.
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Seal
Something which will be visibly damaged if a covering or container is opened, and which may or may not bear an official design.
The result was declared invalid, as the seal on the meter had been broken.
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Seal
(figurative) Confirmation or approval, or an indication of this.
Her clothes always had her mom's seal of approval.
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Seal
Something designed to prevent liquids or gases from leaking through a joint.
The canister is leaking. I think the main seal needs to be replaced.
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Seal
A tight closure, secure against leakage.
Close the lid tightly to get a good seal.
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Seal
(intransitive) To hunt seals.
They're organizing a protest against sealing.
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Seal
To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality.
To seal weights and measures
To seal silverware
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Seal
(transitive) To fasten (something) so that it cannot be opened without visible damage.
The cover is sealed. If anyone tries to open it, we'll know about it.
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Seal
(transitive) To prevent people or vehicles from crossing (something).
The border has been sealed until the fugitives are found.
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Seal
(transitive) To close securely to prevent leakage.
I've sealed the bottle to keep the contents fresh.
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Seal
(transitive) To place in a sealed container.
I've sealed the documents in this envelope.
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Seal
To place a notation of one's next move in a sealed envelope to be opened after an adjournment.
After thinking for half an hour, the champion sealed his move.
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Seal
An engraved or inscribed stamp, used for marking an impression in wax or other soft substance, to be attached to a document, or otherwise used by way of authentication or security.
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Seal
Wax, wafer, or other tenacious substance, set to an instrument, and impressed or stamped with a seal; as, to give a deed under hand and seal.
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bondThou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud.
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Seal
That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.
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Seal
That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which authenticates; that which secures; assurance.
Like a red seal is the setting sunOn the good and the evil men have done.
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Seal
An arrangement for preventing the entrance or return of gas or air into a pipe, by which the open end of the pipe dips beneath the surface of water or other liquid, or a deep bend or sag in the pipe is filled with the liquid; a draintrap.
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Seal
To set or affix a seal to; hence, to authenticate; to confirm; to ratify; to establish; as, to seal a deed.
And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.
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Seal
To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.
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Seal
To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter.
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Seal
Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep secure or secret.
Seal up your lips, and give no words but "mum".
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Seal
To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like.
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Seal
To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5.
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Seal
Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife.
If a man once married desires a second helpmate . . . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church.
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Seal
Fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
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Seal
A device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
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Seal
A member of a Naval Special Warfare unit who is trained for unconventional warfare;
SEAL is an acronym for Sea Air and Land
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Seal
A stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it);
The warrant bore the sheriff's seal
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Seal
Any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions
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Seal
Known for their ability to dive deep for hunting.
A seal dove deep into the ocean in search of fish.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a seal?
An aquatic mammal adapted for life in the ocean, with fin-like limbs.
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Do seals live in groups?
Seals are generally solitary but come together during breeding seasons.
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Can otters use tools?
Yes, some otter species use rocks and other objects to open shells.
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What are the conservation concerns for seals?
Climate change, hunting, and habitat disturbances are key concerns.
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What do otters eat?
They primarily eat fish, crustaceans, and sometimes small mammals.
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What is the typical habitat of seals?
Seals primarily live in oceanic environments and come ashore for breeding.
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Are otters social animals?
Yes, otters are often social and seen interacting playfully with each other.
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What is an otter?
A semi-aquatic mammal known for its playful nature and agility in water.
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Where do otters live?
In various aquatic environments, including rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
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How do otters hunt?
Otters hunt by chasing prey in the water or using tools to open shells.
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Do otters have natural predators?
Yes, including larger fish, birds of prey, and humans.
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What predators do seals have?
Predators of seals include sharks, orcas, and humans.
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Can otters live in saltwater?
Some otter species, like the sea otter, are adapted to saltwater environments.
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How do seals hunt for food?
Seals dive deep and use their speed and agility in the water to catch prey.
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Do seals ever live in freshwater?
Seals are primarily found in saltwater, though some species visit freshwater.
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What are the main threats to otters?
Habitat loss, pollution, and hunting are major threats to otters.
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What adaptations do seals have for swimming?
Their streamlined bodies and fin-like limbs make them strong swimmers.
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Are otters good swimmers?
Yes, otters are excellent swimmers thanks to their webbed feet and agile bodies.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.