The extralimital sea otter files kept by brian hatfield of usgs contain 8 sea otter sightings north of cape mendocino. Californias southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the endangered species act since 1977. The final southern sea otter recovery plan, a blueprint to guide, assist with, and implement sea otter recovery, was issued in 2005. Otters in alaska are both listed as threatened under the endangered species act. Sea otter enhydra lutris species at risk public registry.
A kids picture book about sea otters fun facts for kids about sea otters habitat and ecology amazing nature kindle edition by wilder, catherine. Otters predation can define the health of the marine environment. Cosewic status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. Marine otters are the smallest species of otter in the genus lontra. It is an amphibious member of this family as are the mink and sea otter. Early in the 20th century only 1,000 to 2,000 animals remained. For those interested in nature and wildlife, especially those in the san francisco bay and. Through body contact, nosing one another, headjerking and. Sea otter facts for kids sea otter habitat dk find out. The california sea otter recovery plan instituto franklinuah. The sea otter is the only marine mammal to catch fish using its paws not its mouth. Sea otters play a vital role in the health and stability of the nearshore marine ecosystem as a keystone species. There are only a handful of nonprimate species known to use tools, including dolphins and octopuses. It can swim at an average speed of 67 miles per hour and run up to 1518 miles per hour.
Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. Sea otters live in coastal areas with shallow water. The about sea otters link includes not just information about otters themselves, but also about the otters role in the ecosystem and its relationship with humans. The extent of sea otter habitat is defined by water depth and the availability of food on the sea floor. These mammals spent most of their time in the water, and can swim fast in it. Sea otters spend most of their day grooming, foraging, eating, and sleeping. The southern sea otter is far of reaching its habitat carrying capacity since this. They use small rocks or other objects to pry shellfish. They look extremely graceful in the water, whereas, on land, they appear slow and clumsy. Floating behavior sea otters often float at the waters surface, lying on.
They have a body length between 50 and 79 cms 20 31 inches, a tail length between 30 and 36 cms 12 14 inches and they weigh between 3 and 5 kgs 6. Main characteristics sea otters are a large species of otter. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A sea otters time and attention on any given day is preoccupied with the capture and consumption of food. Sea otters have the thickest fur in the animal kingdom, ranging from 250,000 to a million hairs per square inch, which insulates them and maintains warmth. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. The main threats to the southern sea otter are habitat degradation including oil spills and other environmental. Management plan for the sea otter species at risk public registry.
Sea otters are amazing little creatures that spend much of their lives floating in the water. Playful california sea otters inhabit a place of overlapping worlds. The sea otters teeth are ideal for crushing and grinding, but for prey that are more difficult to crack open, sea otters have been observed to use rocks as tools. The river otter lutra canadensis is a member of the mustelidae or weasel family.
Sea otters have webbed feet, waterrepellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Otter information, habitat, feeding, anatomy, reproduction, predators facts about sea otter, giant otter, european otter, african otter and river otter. Sea otters are carnivores in the family mustelidaea group of animals that also includes terrestrial and semiaquatic forms such as weasels, badgers, skunks, fishers, minks, and river otters. A kids picture book about sea otters fun facts for kids about sea otters.
Find highquality sea otter stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. The sea otter is the only species of otter that spends almost its whole life at sea, even though it rarely travels further than 1km 0. The cwhr system was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading sea otters. Most live on shorelines of freshwater rivers and lakes, but a few hunt along seaside coasts. They can sleep, eat, play, and take care of their babies in the ocean. Attracted by the varied and voluminous dietary offerings in glacier bay, the otter population has been increasing steadily since 1995. Please consider the details below to be approximate. Conservation sea otters are a keystone species for kelp forests, meaning they have a disproportionate effect on this habitat. The hind feet of the otter are webbed and the ears and nose have valves that close when the otter submerges to make the otter watertight. Currently the southern sea otter population is estimated at just above 3,000 animals. However, based on researchers observations, they believe that, as otters continue to colonize the bay, they will have a deep impact on the clam communities. River otter fact sheet wildlife resources division. Eightynine sea otters were slowly reintroduced to b.
The recovery of otters in the uk is impacting inland fisheries through predation. Highschool science students should follow the research link for dozens of articles, most in pdf format. This, plus its softness and lustre, makes sea otter pelts the most valuable of any mammal. Growth patterns for washingtons sea otter population between 1989 and 2017. This prevents an individual from drifting off whilst they doze. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. River otters frequent rivers and lakes, but are also common in saltwater along the entire british columbia coast. Reported in 2016, the california sea otter population reach 3,272 otters, the highest number since 1982 and an 11% increase since 20.
They are the only mammals other than primates, and a few other animals, including birds, known to use tools. Descriptive nonfiction, 162 words, lexile 430l level 1 grades k1. Sea otters metabolic rate is 23x greater than other mammals their size they must eat 25% of their body weight a day. So far, sea otters have not exploited glacier bays large crab population. Otters are funny and lovely animals with great intelligence. Enhydra lutris kenyoni northern sea otter sw alaska. Vector datasets of cwhr range maps are one component of california wildlife habitat relationships cwhr, a comprehensive information system and predictive model for californias wildlife. The otter is a secretive semiaquatic species which was once widespread in britain. Yet, the survival of the california sea otter is threatened mainly due to human activities. By the 1970s, otters were restricted mainly to scotland, especially the islands and the northwest coast, western wales, parts of east anglia and the west country though they remained. See the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter. Researchers surveyed sea otter populations along the mainland coast, from pigeon point in the north to gaviota state park in the south, and also the distinct population at san nicolas island in the southern california bight. In fact, america purchased alaska from the russians in 1867 hoping to gain a greater share of the sea otter fur trade. Their home is the coastal ocean, a zone where the land meets the sea.
Unlike other marine mammals, the sea otter does not have a layer of blubber fat to help keep it warm. Conservation sea otters are a keystone species for kelp forests, meaning they have a disproportionateeffect on this habitat. They typically use rocks and empty shells to feed on marine snails, crabs, sea urchins and mussels. Recovery plan for the southern sea otter us fish and wildlife. If the animals hair becomes soiled, such as by oil, the insulating properties are destroyed. Sea otters are the only fully aquatic form of otters, but they share features with. What america did not realize was that russia was willing to sell the territory because the otter. Sea otters occupy coastal areas from the intertidal to at least 50m depths. Dow sea otter fact sheet 2011 defenders of wildlife. Please see previous post 10 amazing facts about sea otters most facts from.
Like weasels, otters have short legs and long flexible bodies. Fun facts average hairs per square inch on a human head. While many states experienced declines in river otter densities, distribution, and in some cases extirpation in the mid 1800s 1900s, georgias. The situation is complex, and it is not clear why some waters have not been affected, even though otters are present. Solid food is gradually worked into the pups diet as they mature. The sea otter enhydra lutris is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern north pacific ocean. The sea otter is only found in salt water, where it prefers to eat invertebrates such as shellfish. Usually, a single baby called a pup is produced following 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. There are several different subspecies of the north american river otter. An otters daily business of eating, resting, and more eating can bring it close to shore, much to the delight of coastal sightseers. After preparation, sea otters eat their food on the surface of the water, typically on their backs. As well as using their dexterity to hunt, forage and use tools sea otters also use their paws to hold hands whilst asleep. Its hind feet are webbed and flat so they work more like flippers.
Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg 31 and 99 lb, making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. On an upswing, however, is the california sea otter. They find their food on the ocean floor, and carry out all other. Here are some interesting sea otter related facts for you. Columbia the sea otter and the more widespread river otter. But instead, i held back and listened to the conversation, thinking back to ten years ago or so when i first saw river otters in. It was then that the explainer in me wanted to jump in and say, actually, no. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otters primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the. Mothers will continue to float on their backs, nurse their young and teach them to swim and hunt. Sea otters were hunted for their fur to the point of near extinction. Scientists have long designated the california sea otter a keystone predator, meaning what the animal eats has a large impact on its environment. The sea otters diet includes fish, crabs, molluscs, and sea urchins, and it has very strong teeth for crushing their. Sea otters were hunted nearly to extinction over the next 100 years.