Endangered Sea Otter - March 2017

Historically, Sea Otters inhabited the North Pacific Ocean from Japan to Russia, Alaska and the California Coast. Prior to the 18th century, world wide sea otter populations were estimated at more than 300,000 animals. In the early 1700’s, Russian explorers hunted sea otters in Alaska to the brink of extinction as their luxurious pelts could not satisfy human demand for their fur. Throughout their territory, sea otter populations plummeted until only 2000 individuals were known to exist. In 1911, the “International Fur Seal Treaty” finally afforded protection for these unique marine mammals. Due to conservation efforts, sea otter populations began to recover; presently 3000 otters inhabit the California coast and approximately 100,000 otters are thriving along the Northern Pacific Rim. The sea otter is listed as an endangered species by the ICUN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) because their populations remain low, and they are extremely sensitive to oil spills, pollution and habitat loss. Sea otters are protected under the endangered species act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

https://www.fws.gov/international/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/marine-mammal-protection-act.html,

https://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/

Sea Otter and Pup, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
Sea Otters constantly groom and observing them is sometimes comical as they nibble, bite and lick every inch of their furry exteriors. They must keep their coats very clean in order to maximize it's ability to trap air and insulate them from frigid water. They are extremely vulnerable to oil pollution because crude oil destroys their fur's insulating properties. Otters that have been exposed to crude oil will die of hypothermia.
sea otter pup enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae
Sea Otter, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
Sea Otters are the only marine mammals that do not have a layer of insulating fat or blubber. They stay warm as a result of trapping air within their fur and maintaining their metabolism; Sea Otters consume 40% of their body weight every day.
sea otter enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae
Mating Injury Female Sea Otter, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
Male Sea Otters can be violent and during mating females are sometimes mortally wounded. Male Sea Otters commonly subdue a female by biting her face and nose. The wounds observed on this otter female were almost certainly inflicted by an aggressive mating male.
sea otter enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae
Sea Otter and Pup, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
Sea Otters have the most dense fur of any mammal; their pelts may have as many as 1 million hairs per square inch.
sea otter pup enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae
Sea Otter Pup, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
Their dense pelt and light weight prevent otter pups from sinking; they are born in the water and will spend the entirety of their lives without ever leaving the water.
sea otter pup enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae
Sea Otter and Pup, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
Sea Otters are one a few mammals that use tools; they often use stones to crack open sea urchins and shellfish and they have been observed using stones to pry muscles from ocean rocks. Otter diet consists of more than 100 species; their most important means of sustenance includes abalone, mussels, clams, crabs, urchins, snails, squid and octopus.
sea otter pup enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae
Sea Otter and Pup, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
sea otter pup enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae
Sea Otter and Pup, Morro Bay, California March 2017.
Female Sea Otters float on their backs with offspring aboard. Otter moms use their bodies to cradle and protect their offspring until the pups are several months old. I observed the otters for several days; the pups rarely vacated the warm bed of their mother's body and when they did take a swim, the pups would remain very close to their parent.
sea otter pup enhydris lutris morro bay california wildlife mammal marine mustelidae