Sea Otter
Classification
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Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Carnivora
Family - mustelidae
Genus - Enhydra
Species - lutris
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Carnivora
Family - mustelidae
Genus - Enhydra
Species - lutris
Common Name
Sea Otter
MorphologyThe sea otter displays numerous adaptations to its marine environment. The nostrils and small ears can close. The hind feet, which provide most of its propulsion in swimming, are long, broadly flattened, and fully webbed. The fifth digit on each hind foot is longest, facilitating swimming while on its back, but making walking difficult. The tail is fairly short, thick, slightly flattened, and muscular. The front paws are short with retractable claws, with tough pads on the palms that enable gripping of slippery prey.
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BiologyThe sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammal species, but it is the heaviest mustelid. Male sea otters usually weigh 49 to 99 lbs and are 3' 10" to 4' 10" in length, though specimens to 120 lbs have been recorded. Females are smaller, weighing 31 to 73 lbs, and measuring 3' 3" to 4' 7" in length. The sea otter propels itself underwater by moving the rear end of its body, including its tail and hind feet, up and down, and is capable of speeds of up to 5.6 mph.
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Distribution Map
Importance: Economical and Ecological
Sea otters consume over 100 different prey species. In most of its range, the sea otter's diet consists almost exclusively of marine invertebrates, including sea urchins, a variety of bivalves such as clams and mussels, abalone, other mollusks, crustaceans, and snails. Its prey ranges in size from tiny limpets and crabs to giant octopuses. Where prey such as sea urchins, clams, and abalone are present in a range of sizes, sea otters tend to select larger items over smaller ones of similar type. In California, they have been noted to ignore Pismo clams smaller than 3 inches across. Sea otters are a classic example of a keystone species; their presence affects the ecosystem more profoundly than their size and numbers would suggest. They keep the population of certain sea floor herbivores, particularly sea urchins, in check.
Interesting Facts
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- Sea Otters hold hands while they sleep so they don't drift away from each other.
- Sea otters are social animals who may float together in groups of less than 10 to more than 100, called rafts.
- It is common for sea otters to wrap themselves in kelp beds when resting or sleeping.
- A sea otter becomes sexually mature at 3 to 6 years. A female’s pregnancy usually lasts 5 to 8 months and can have one pup per year.
- Predators of the Sea Otter include humans, sharks, bears, eagles (on pups), and killer whales.
Vocabulary
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Rafts- Groups of Sea Otters together
Predators- An animal that naturally hunts or feeds on others.
Kelp Forest- Kelp forests are underwater areas with a high density of kelp. They are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems.
Smorgasbord- A wide range of something; a variety.
Endangered- Seriously at risk of extinction.
Predators- An animal that naturally hunts or feeds on others.
Kelp Forest- Kelp forests are underwater areas with a high density of kelp. They are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems.
Smorgasbord- A wide range of something; a variety.
Endangered- Seriously at risk of extinction.