DOCSLIB.ORG

Sea Otters Spend Almost All Their and Store More Oxygen for Their Itself

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sea Otters Spend Almost All Their and Store More Oxygen for Their Itself ! ! location" program was tried by environmental changes. This fact One of the most complex study of dead otters found along may contribute to their slow growth The Southern moving 130 otters to one of the threats is the question of the Central Coast implicated such resting offshore in their favorite lungs are 2.5 times larger than in numbers since the 1930s. Channel Islands. Recently, a "no- man-made water pollution. infectious diseases in more than kelp beds, either singly or in most mammals of equivalent size Other natural threats include otter zone" was tried below Santa Evidence shows that land runoff 40% of those deaths. groups called "rafts." to help them regulate buoyancy the hazards of living in the sea Barbara. Neither effort has proven and sewage spills may be Everyone should do their Sea otters spend almost all their and store more oxygen for their itself. The Big Sur coast can to be very successful. harming the otters. Some of the part to ensure the continued growth SEA OTTER time in the ocean--they eat, sleep, dives, which average 1 minute but experience severe winter storms. Otters play an important role in chemicals thereby introduced are of the sea otter population. mate, give birth and feed their can be as long as 4 minutes. the Monterey Bay area. Biologists A young pup can easily get young at sea. They .are the only Sea otters are the only marine consider them a "sentinel” separated from its mother in marine mammal with paws, and mammals that routinely swim and species. They tend to indicate to rough waves. The ocean also use their dexterous and powerful rest on their backs. An otter us the general health of our overall periodically serves up a deadly forelegs to capture the invertebrates floating on its back moves its tail algal bloom containing that cling to the rocky bottom. in a sculling motion to shift or the toxic domoic acid In its underwater search for maintain its position. that can kill birds food, an otter may use a rock The life span of sea otters and sea lions. as a tool to dislodge abalone averages about 10-12 years with and sea urchins from their a maximum of probably 15-20 ! "Where are the sea otters?" rolling around having tight grasp of the seafloor. This years. Females live slightly longer R. W. Cooke III Without a doubt, these marine fun... this is the Southern Sea rock may be brought to the than males. Overall length is ! mammals are the most interesting Otter, Enhydra lutris nereis. surface, along with the food, to be approximately four feet. Males. R. W. Cooke III known to suppress the immune How sad it would be to lose and beloved of all the inhabitants in At times it can be difficult used as an anvil to crack open average 65 pounds; females local environment. In addition, These algae also systems of fish and marine these fascinating creatures. To the Reserve. to find an otter because to the hard shells. This noisy pounding about 45 pounds. otters are considered a "keystone" contaminate the otter's food. mammals. A recent study found learn more, join a docent-led nature Imagine a small playful untrained eye, bobbing bull-head may alert you to the presence of a Otters live their entire lives in species that plays a vital role in Natural predators include the great several types of bacteria and walk and look at the otter displays animal with webbed hind feet, a kelp resembles a floating sea sea otter. Pouches of loose skin the ocean, rarely coming ashore. balancing the local ecosystem. white shark and the killer whale parasites in otters that are similar to at the Information Station. You will slightly flattened tail, and beautiful otter. During storms, when the under the arms can be used to They seldom venture more than a They eat sea urchins that feast on (Orca). those found in humans and wild be glad you did! soft brown fur. Now picture this wind comes out of the south, the hold food or tools during dives or mile from shore or into water the kelp beds. In this way the Man still represents the greatest and domestic cats. A further same animal with a lovable otters may be found in the more while on the surface. Otters much deeper than 100 feet. otters help the kelp beds to threat to the continued survival of whiskered face sleeping peacefully protected coves. On calmer days, consume large quantities of many Sea otters live in waters flourish. The kelp then offers a the sea otter. A major oil spill, on its back in a kelp bed or just you are apt to discover them different marine invertebrates, from ranging from 35° to 60° F., yet haven and a very productive especially from a large tanker, Printed with funds from the Point Lobos Foundation sea urchins to octopus to abalone. they must maintain a constant habitat for many small fish and could endanger the entire otter www.pointlobos.org Sea otters can see clearly in body temperature close to 100° F. invertebrates. population. Oil on the fur will in cooperation with California State Parks California State Parks supports equal access. both water and air. An adult otter Unlike other marine mammals like Marine biologists point out that destroy the insulating properties Printed on recycled paper Prior to arrival visitors with disabilities has a strong jaw with 32 teeth, seals or sea lions, they do not otters have a "low genetic and cause death by chilling. 2014 California State Parks who need assistance should contact including long canines to help grab have blubber to keep them warm. variability" that may make them Ingestion of oil-contaminated Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, food and broad flat molars for Instead, they depend on their We gratefully acknowledge the educational material supplied by the Monterey Bay 831-624-9423 (TTY relay service, 711). more susceptible to. diseases and shellfish can also cause death. Aquarium, Friends of the Sea Otter and the Ocean Conservancy crushing hard-shelled prey. Their remarkably dense, water-resistant This brochure is available in alternate formats at pointlobos.org. Hall Warren (most recent revision, 2014) 5 2 ! ! fur to insulate them against the heat production. To keep this is absent as a care-giver. Look researchers to suspect that the The Southern resting offshore in their favorite lungs are 2.5 times larger than cold ocean. Their fur has two “furnace" going they need to eat carefully for a mother otter lying on recovery may be at a plateau. kelp beds, either singly or in most mammals of equivalent size layers. The long outer guard hairs approximately 25% of their body her back in the kelp with a small Although fully protected under groups called "rafts." to help them regulate buoyancy give it that soft appearance. Under weight each day. For a 160 pound "woolly pup" upon her chest. California law, the southern sea Sea otters spend almost all their and store more oxygen for their the guard hair layer, the otter has human, this would mean eating The sea otter once ranged from otter remains a threatened pop- SEA OTTER time in the ocean--they eat, sleep, dives, which average 1 minute but a shorter, extremely fine and about 40 pounds of food per day. Baja California in Mexico up the ulation. If their numbers were to mate, give birth and feed their can be as long as 4 minutes. dense underfur. One square inch Since an otter's forepaws and young at sea. They .are the only Sea otters are the only marine of otter fur contains between webbed fins have little or no fur, marine mammal with paws, and mammals that routinely swim and 600,000 and 1,000,000 fibers, the they often float on their backs with use their dexterous and powerful rest on their backs. An otter most dense of any animal on their "feet” in the air to warm them forelegs to capture the invertebrates floating on its back moves its tail earth. By comparison, a human and to conserve body heat. that cling to the rocky bottom. in a sculling motion to shift or head contains about 100,000 Otters mate and give birth any In its underwater search for maintain its position. hairs. time of the year, but there is a peak food, an otter may use a rock The life span of sea otters In order to maintain this in pupping from January through luxurious coat of fur, sea otters ! as a tool to dislodge abalone averages about 10-12 years with March, followed by a second, less R. W. Cooke III must spend a lot of time grooming productive period from August to and sea urchins from their a maximum of probably 15-20 West Coast to the Pacific decline to fewer than 1,850, they "Where are the sea otters?" rolling around having and cleaning their fur to retain its October. Males mate with as many tight grasp of the seafloor. This years. Females live slightly longer Northwest. In California alone, would be uplisted to the "en- Without a doubt, these marine fun... this is the Southern Sea special insulating qualities. This females as possible. Females rock may be brought to the than males. Overall length is there may have been as many as dangered" category. mammals are the most interesting Otter, Enhydra lutris nereis. activity also traps air between the usually mate with only one male surface, along with the food, to be approximately four feet.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MINNESOTA MUSTELIDS Young
    By Blane Klemek MINNESOTA MUSTELIDS Young Naturalists the Slinky,Stinky Weasel family ave you ever heard anyone call somebody a weasel? If you have, then you might think Hthat being called a weasel is bad. But weasels are good hunters, and they are cunning, curious, strong, and fierce. Weasels and their relatives are mammals. They belong to the order Carnivora (meat eaters) and the family Mustelidae, also known as the weasel family or mustelids. Mustela means weasel in Latin. With 65 species, mustelids are the largest family of carnivores in the world. Eight mustelid species currently make their homes in Minnesota: short-tailed weasel, long-tailed weasel, least weasel, mink, American marten, OTTERS BY DANIEL J. COX fisher, river otter, and American badger. Minnesota Conservation Volunteer May–June 2003 n e MARY CLAY, DEMBINSKY t PHOTO ASSOCIATES r mammals a WEASELS flexible m Here are two TOM AND PAT LEESON specialized mustelid feet. b One is for climb- ou can recognize a ing and the other for hort-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea), long- The long-tailed weasel d most mustelids g digging. Can you tell tailed weasels (M. frenata), and least weasels eats the most varied e food of all weasels. It by their tubelike r which is which? (M. nivalis) live throughout Minnesota. In also lives in the widest Ybodies and their short Stheir northern range, including Minnesota, weasels variety of habitats and legs. Some, such as badgers, hunting. Otters and minks turn white in winter. In autumn, white hairs begin climates across North are heavy and chunky. Some, are excellent swimmers that hunt to replace their brown summer coat.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Fur Harvester Digest 3 SEASON DATES and BAG LIMITS
    2021 Michigan Fur Harvester Digest RAP (Report All Poaching): Call or Text (800) 292-7800 Michigan.gov/Trapping Table of Contents Furbearer Management ...................................................................3 Season Dates and Bag Limits ..........................................................4 License Types and Fees ....................................................................6 License Types and Fees by Age .......................................................6 Purchasing a License .......................................................................6 Apprentice & Youth Hunting .............................................................9 Fur Harvester License .....................................................................10 Kill Tags, Registration, and Incidental Catch .................................11 When and Where to Hunt/Trap ...................................................... 14 Hunting Hours and Zone Boundaries .............................................14 Hunting and Trapping on Public Land ............................................18 Safety Zones, Right-of-Ways, Waterways .......................................20 Hunting and Trapping on Private Land ...........................................20 Equipment and Fur Harvester Rules ............................................. 21 Use of Bait When Hunting and Trapping ........................................21 Hunting with Dogs ...........................................................................21 Equipment Regulations ...................................................................22
    [Show full text]
  • Gay Subculture Identification: Training Counselors to Work with Gay Men
    Article 22 Gay Subculture Identification: Training Counselors to Work With Gay Men Justin L. Maki Maki, Justin L., is a counselor education doctoral student at Auburn University. His research interests include counselor preparation and issues related to social justice and advocacy. Abstract Providing counseling services to gay men is considered an ethical practice in professional counseling. With the recent changes in the Defense of Marriage Act and legalization of gay marriage nationwide, it is safe to say that many Americans are more accepting of same-sex relationships than in the past. However, although societal attitudes are shifting towards affirmation of gay rights, division and discrimination, masculinity shaming, and within-group labeling between gay men has become more prevalent. To this point, gay men have been viewed as a homogeneous population, when the reality is that there are a variety of gay subcultures and significant differences between them. Knowledge of these subcultures benefits those in and out-of-group when they are recognized and understood. With an increase in gay men identifying with a subculture within the gay community, counselors need to be cognizant of these subcultures in their efforts to help gay men self-identify. An explanation of various gay male subcultures is provided for counselors, counseling supervisors, and counselor educators. Keywords: gay men, subculture, within-group discrimination, masculinity, labeling Providing professional counseling services and educating counselors-in-training to work with gay men is a fundamental responsibility of the counseling profession (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014). Although not all gay men utilizing counseling services are seeking services for problems relating to their sexual orientation identification (Liszcz & Yarhouse, 2005), it is important that counselors are educated on the ways in which gay men identify themselves and other gay men within their own community.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Otters Look but Don't Touch
    SEA OTTERS LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH It is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to touch a marine mammal without proper authorization*. This protects both you and the animal. Contact with a sea otter, even in an attempt to help it, may place both the rescuer and the animal at greater risk than non-contact would have. Sea otters: ● are powerful animals that can inflict serious injuries if they become alarmed or are incorrectly handled. ● may carry diseases that are harmful to people and domestic animals ● are susceptible to diseases carried by humans and domestic animals, including pets ● are highly adapted to their environment and can generally survive better there than in captivity. Many veterinarians will not accept sea otters into their clinics because of the potential for transmittal of diseases to their domestic patients. Most attempts to rescue sea otters by untrained personnel end in death or injury to the animal and often result in injury to the would-be rescuer. You and the animal will usually both be better off if you seek help from a trained wildlife professional. If you have concerns about marine mammals not under the authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service such as whales, seals, and sea lions, please contact National Marine Fisheries Service (1-206-526-6733). The following guide provides information on how to respond to the stranding of a dead or live sea otter in Washington. What to do if you find a LIVE sea otter in distress? DO NOT APPROACH OR PICK UP THE ANIMAL.
    [Show full text]
  • Powerpoint: Furbearer Regulations
    2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Furbearer Trapping & Hunting Regulations Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission June 9, 2016 Derek Broman 1 ODFW Carnivore-Furbearer Coordinator Presentation Overview License and Pelt Price Trends Species and Season Information Regulation Proposals • Sale of Unprotected Mammal Pelts • ODOT Crossing Structures 2 K.Kohl Furtaker License Sales Trends 1980-2015 6,000 Furtakers Furbearer Hunters 5,000 4,000 3,000 # Licenses 2,000 1,000 0 Year 3 New Furtaker License Trends 1996-2015 3,000 Returning Furtakers New Furtakers 2,500 2,000 1,500 # Licenses 1,000 500 0 Year 4 Furtaker Reporting Trend 2004-2014 100 Furtaker Furbearer Hunter 80 60 40 % Reporting % 20 0 Year 5 Average Pelt Prices 2014-2015 & 2015-2016 ─ Beaver ($14 $11) ─ Bobcat ($195 $211) ─ Coyote ($48 $25) AFWA 2015 Report ─ Marten ($28 $20) Average Trapping Expenses ─ Mink ($11 $6) US $1,694 ─ Muskrat ($5 $2) Oregon $1,761 ─ River Otter ($66 $60) ─ Raccoon ($6 $4) Based on Average Harvest ─ Gray Fox ($18 $11) and Prices for All Species: Western Oregon Furtaker: $1,564 ─ Red Fox ($26 $19) Eastern Oregon Furtaker: $2,006 Prices obtained from the Oregon 6 Territorial Council on Furs Species and Seasons 77 D. Budeau Season Recommendations Unprotected Mammals Open Entire Year for: Badger, Coyote, Nutria, Opossum, Porcupine, Skunks, Weasels Included in Harvest Report Protected Mammals No Open Season for: Fisher, Ringtail Cat, Wolverine, Kit Fox, Sea Otter 8 K.Kohl Furbearer Harvest Season Recommendations • No Changes Proposed to Season Dates for Trapping and Hunting Furbearers ─ Beaver Nov. 15 – Mar. 15 ─ Bobcat Dec.
    [Show full text]
  • Small Carnivores of Karnataka: Distribution and Sight Records1
    Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 104 (2), May-Aug 2007 155-162 SMALL CARNIVORES OF KARNATAKA SMALL CARNIVORES OF KARNATAKA: DISTRIBUTION AND SIGHT RECORDS1 H.N. KUMARA2,3 AND MEWA SINGH2,4 1Accepted November 2006 2 Biopsychology Laboratory, University of Mysore, Mysore 570 006, Karnataka, India. 3Email: [email protected] 4Email: [email protected] During a study from November 2001 to July 2004 on ecology and status of wild mammals in Karnataka, we sighted 143 animals belonging to 11 species of small carnivores of about 17 species that are expected to occur in the state of Karnataka. The sighted species included Leopard Cat, Rustyspotted Cat, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Asian Palm Civet, Brown Palm Civet, Common Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Stripe-necked Mongoose and unidentified species of Otters. Malabar Civet, Fishing Cat, Brown Mongoose, Nilgiri Marten, and Ratel were not sighted during this study. The Western Ghats alone account for thirteen species of small carnivores of which six are endemic. The sighting of Rustyspotted Cat is the first report from Karnataka. Habitat loss and hunting are the major threats for the small carnivore survival in nature. The Small Indian Civet is exploited for commercial purpose. Hunting technique varies from guns to specially devised traps, and hunting of all the small carnivore species is common in the State. Key words: Felidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Karnataka, threats INTRODUCTION (Mukherjee 1989; Mudappa 2001; Rajamani et al. 2003; Mukherjee et al. 2004). Other than these studies, most of the Mammals of the families Felidae, Viverridae, information on these animals comes from anecdotes or sight Herpestidae, Mustelidae and Procyonidae are generally records, which no doubt, have significantly contributed in called small carnivores.
    [Show full text]
  • Identifying Tracks on Mink Rafts
    Identifying tracks on mink rafts 19-Feb-16 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 1 The tracks on the following pages have all been made by animals whose identity was known. If printed on A4 without scaling, or fitting to printer margins, the tracks will appear at 77% of actual size. To help you judge size, a scaled centimetre ruler is shown at the left of each page. 19-Feb-16 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 2 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust mink mink 19-Feb-16 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 3 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust stoat (male) stoat (female) 19-Feb-16 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 4 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust weasel female stoat 19-Feb-16 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 5 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust weasel female stoat 19-Feb-16 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 6 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust pine marten pine marten 19-Feb-16 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 7 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game &
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Mammal Protection Act Complaint
    1 Miyoko Sakashita (Cal. Bar # 239639) CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2 1212 Broadway, Suite 800 Oakland, CA 94612 3 Tel: (510) 844-7108 Fax: (510) 844-7150 4 Email: [email protected] 5 Lalli Venkatakrishnan (Cal. Bar # 323747) 6 CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 1212 Broadway, Suite 800 7 Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: (510) 676-0348 8 Fax: (510) 844-7150 Email: [email protected] 9 10 Attorneys for Plaintiffs 11 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 12 13 CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, Civ. No. 14 a non-profit organization, and TURTLE ISLAND RESTORATION NETWORK, a COMPLAINT 15 non-profit organization; (Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 Plaintiffs, 16 U.S.C. § 1361 et seq) 17 v. 18 SCOTT DE LA VEGA1 Acting Secretary, 19 United States Department of Interior; UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE 20 SERVICE; 21 Defendants. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d), David Bernhardt’s successor is automatically substituted as a party when Mr. Bernhardt ceases to hold office as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior, and any misnomer not affecting the parties’ substantial rights must be disregarded. 1 INTRODUCTION 2 1. This is an action challenging the failure of Defendants Scott de la Vega, Acting 3 Secretary of the Interior, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (collectively “the 4 Service”) to comply with their non-discretionary obligations under the Marine Mammal 5 Protection Act (“MMPA”). 16 U.S.C. § 1361, et seq. Specifically, the Service has failed to issue 6 updated stock assessment reports for marine mammals under its jurisdiction—sea otters, polar 7 bears, walruses, and manatees—within the timeframes mandated by the statute.
    [Show full text]
  • Modern Status of Sea Otter Population on the Commander Islands
    Modern status of Sea otter population on the Commander Islands Alexander Burdin, Kamchatka branch of Pacific Institute of Geography, RAS, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, ASLC, Sergey Zagrebelny, Commander preserve Commander Population declines Islands (population growing) Background Only 200 nm strait between Commander Island and western Aleutian islands. Dramatic decline of sea otter populations (up to 90% and more reduction), and some other marine mammal species (harbor seal, SSL) across the Aleutian Archipelago and Alaska Peninsula during past several decades. Increasing (13%/year) sea otter population on the Commander Islands. Research Objectives Commander-Aleutian islands c comparisonsomparisons ¾ to better understand ultimate reasons for the decline ¾ to characterize physiology, behavior, and demography of sea otter population near K. ¾ to expand studies of sea otter-kelp forest interactions 2004-2005 winter field work Sea otter mortality, disease, physical conditions monitoring: Carcasses collection / capture : Age/sex composition Necropsy: disease, causes of death, virology, female reproductive tracts, parasites, stomach contents Biosampling 2006 summer work on the Bering Island Totally 33 sea otters were caught using nets and release. 2006 summer work on the Bering Island 27 sea otters (22 females and 5 males) were instrumented with TDR and radio tag Ongoing investigation and future research Goal 1. Ecosystem research: long-term changes in near shore communities under sea otter predation. availability and abundance of sea otter food recourses. analysis of TDR’s data. direct observation on feeding sea otters. scat analysis. Retrospective analysis of sea otter feeding habits on the Commanders. Ongoing investigation and future research Goal II. Monitoring of sea otter population: annual survey (skiff and shore based).
    [Show full text]
  • OREGON FURBEARER TRAPPING and HUNTING REGULATIONS
    OREGON FURBEARER TRAPPING and HUNTING REGULATIONS July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022 Please Note: Major changes are underlined throughout this synopsis. License Requirements Trapper Education Requirement By action of the 1985 Oregon Legislature, all trappers born after June 30, Juveniles younger than 12 years of age are not required to purchase a 1968, and all first-time Oregon trappers of any age are required to license, except to hunt or trap bobcat and river otter. However, they must complete an approved trapper education course. register to receive a brand number through the Salem ODFW office. To trap bobcat or river otter, juveniles must complete the trapper education The study guide may be completed at home. Testing will take place at course. Juveniles 17 and younger must have completed hunter education Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) offices throughout the to obtain a furtaker’s license. state. A furtaker’s license will be issued by the Salem ODFW Headquarters office after the test has been successfully completed and Landowners must obtain either a furtaker’s license, a hunting license for mailed to Salem headquarters, and the license application with payment furbearers, or a free license to take furbearers on land they own and on has been received. Course materials are available by writing or which they reside. To receive the free license and brand number, the telephoning Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, I&E Division, 4034 landowner must obtain from the Salem ODFW Headquarters office, a Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, OR 97302, (800) 720-6339 x76002. receipt of registration for the location of such land prior to hunting or trapping furbearing mammals on that land.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Otter Savvy Portfolio 2018
    Sea Otter Savvy Portfolio 2015-2018 https://www.seaottersavvy.org/ @SeaOtterSavvy 1 Mission Statement The Sea Otter Savvy program strives to foster responsible behavior by users of the marine environment while they are viewing and recreating near sea otters. 2 Table of contents Introduction to Sea Otter Savvy Page Number Personnel and Mission 5 to 9 Guidelines 10 to 11 Kayaking Sticker Partners 12 to 13 Sharing Space with Otters: Kayaking Guidelines Video 14 Music Video 15 Sea Otter Education Natural History Guide 18 to 27 Reseach: Citizen Scientists 28 to 30 School Visits 31 to 33 Outreach Events 34 to 39 Actions Sea Otter Crossing Program 43 to 47 Moss Landing Jetty Beach Closure 48 Sea Otter Awareness Week 2017 49 to 51 Wildlife Distrubance Symposium(s) 52 to 53 Moss Landing Limerick Sign Installation 54 to 57 Photography Workshops 58 Morro Bay SCUMA Awareness Panels 59 3 4 Introduction to Sea Otter Savvy Who, What, Where and Why? 5 “Together we can create a ‘sea otter savvy’ community promoting responsible wildlife viewing, awareness of the effect our behavior can have on sea otters and other wildlife, and a safer, healthier coastal environment for all of us, otter and human alike.” -Gena Bentall, Founder, Sea Otter Savvy 6 Who is Sea Otter Savvy? Sea Otter Savvy was founded in 2014 by Gena Bentall, who has worked as a sea otter biologist since 2001. She has studied sea otters in the wild throughout the extent of the sea otter’s range from Russia’s Commander Islands, the Aleutian Islands, throughout the Central California coast and San Nicolas Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural History of the Southern Sea Otter
    Natural History of the Southern Sea Otter C Compiled by Gena Bentall 2017 Description Sea otters are members of the weasel or mustelid family. Like other members of this family, they have very thick fur. In fact, at 850,000 to one million hairs per square inch, they have the thickest fur of any mammal. Their fur consists of two types of hairs, interlocking underfur (which provides insulation) and longer guard hairs (that help water run off the coat). This system traps a layer of air next to their skin so, when fur is well groomed, their skin does not come in contact with sea water. Sea otters are usually dark brown, and some individuals may be progressively lighter colored (grizzled) on the head, neck, chest and forearms due to loss of pigmentation in the guard hairs. Extent of grizzle can be related to age and individual variation. Sea otters are the smallest marine mammal, and with their flipper-shaped hind feet are well adapted to a marine environment. In California adult females weigh 35-60 pounds (16-27 kg); males reach up to 90 pounds (40 kg). Alaskan sea otters are bigger with males weighing as much as 100 pounds (45 kg). Range/Habitat Sea otters once ranged around the North Pacific Rim from Mexico through Alaska, Russia, and Japan. The maritime fur trade of the 1700-1800s brought sea otters to the brink of extinction and fragmented the once continuous population. There are currently 3 subspecies of sea otter, the Northern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni), the Asian, or Russian, Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris lutris) and our Southern, or California, Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis).
    [Show full text]