[24] For its size, the male otter's baculum is very large, massive and bent upwards, measuring 150 mm (5.9 in) in length and 15 mm (0.59 in) at the base. 542) by Japan, Russia, Great Britain (on behalf of Canada), and the US. [116] Historical records revealed the Russian-American Company sneaked Aleuts into San Francisco Bay multiple times, despite the Spanish capturing or shooting them while hunting sea otters in the estuaries of San Jose, San Mateo, San Bruno and around Angel Island. The forelimbs are specialized in movements requiring great dexterity: prey manipulation, grooming, and caring for young (Howard, 1973). [131] Recently, a toxin called microcystin, produced by a type of cyanobacteria (Microcystis), seems to be concentrated in the shellfish the otters eat, poisoning them. It must eat an estimated 25 to 38% of its own body weight in food each day to burn the calories necessary to counteract the loss of heat due to the cold water environment. The giant extinct sea otter Enhydritherium was propelled by its forelimbs, but modern sea otters are pelvic paddlers with enlarged hindlimbs. [129][130] As of spring 2010, the northern boundary had moved from about Tunitas Creek to a point 2 km southeast of Pigeon Point, and the southern boundary has moved from approximately Coal Oil Point to Gaviota State Park. In most of its range, it is a keystone species, controlling sea urchin populations which would otherwise inflict extensive damage to kelp forest ecosystems. [33] The tail is fairly short, thick, slightly flattened, and muscular. [188] These links have been associated with the many human-like behavioral features of the sea otter, including apparent playfulness, strong mother-pup bonds and tool use, yielding to ready anthropomorphism. So, a 50-pound otter would need to eat about 10-15 pounds of food per day. [69] In California, sea otters usually breed every year, about twice as often as those in Alaska. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Versions of a widespread Aleut legend tell of lovers or despairing women who plunge into the sea and become otters. [156] They returned to Siberia, having killed nearly 1,000 sea otters, and were able to command high prices for the pelts. [71] Twins occur in 2% of births; however, usually only one pup survives. With incredibly high energy requirements, sea otters must consume approximately 25% of their bodyweight in prey each day just to stay alive. The population originally extended southward into mainland Baja California and Isla Guadalupe, Mexico, and was contiguous with other otter populations ranging through the North Pacific Rim to northern Japan. [120], Sea otters are a classic example of a keystone species; their presence affects the ecosystem more profoundly than their size and numbers would suggest. [121] By 2005, only 30 sea otters remained at San Nicolas,[122] although they were slowly increasing as they thrived on the abundant prey around the island. [57], The sea otter's use of rocks when hunting and feeding makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools. BrownellJr., in Encyclopedia of Biodiversity (Second Edition), 2013. The long-term survival of the sea otter population in California will likely require ongoing research to more effectively characterize current risk factors, and the development of strategies to minimize associated mortalities. Because air is compressible, sea otters likely lose insulation while diving, and may undergo unregulated heat loss during deep dives, however the heat loss may be offset to some extent by the elevated metabolic heat produced during diving. [13], The first scientific description of the sea otter is contained in the field notes of Georg Steller from 1751, and the species was described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. Increased occurrence of exotic intestinal parasites from unknown sources, particularly a species of acanthocephalan not previously known in sea otters, has been associated with significant rates of fatal peritonitis in the population. Leading mammalian predators of this species include orcas and sea lions, and bald eagles may grab pups from the surface of the water. [175] The Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which is often fatal to sea otters, is carried by wild and domestic cats and may be transmitted by domestic cat droppings flushed into the ocean via sewage systems. There is a perception that sea otters in California are more susceptible to disease impacts as compared with other sea otter populations. Kathleen M. Dudzinski, ... Justin D. Gregg, in Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Second Edition), 2009. [172], Many facets of the interaction between sea otters and the human economy are not as immediately felt. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes that Southern Sea Otter Translocation Program be Terminated", "Service Proposes to End Southern Sea Otter Translocation Program", "Rare sighting of sea otter off Laguna Beach", "U.S. will let otters roam along Southern California coastline", "California's Sea Otter Numbers Continue Slow Climb", "California Sea Otter Numbers Drop Again", "Spring 2010 Mainland California Sea Otter Survey Results", "Another deadly challenge for the sea otter", "Evidence for a Novel Marine Harmful Algal Bloom: Cyanotoxin (Microcystin) Transfer from Land to Sea Otters", Spring 2014 California Sea Otter Census Results, "Otters vs. [71] Pup mortality is high, particularly during an individual's first winter – by one estimate, only 25% of pups survive their first year. The sea otter walks with a clumsy, rolling gait on land, and can run in a bounding motion. Cyanobacteria are found in stagnant freshwater enriched with nitrogen and phosphorus from septic tank and agricultural fertilizer runoff, and may be flushed into the ocean when streamflows are high in the rainy season. The California sea otter population is listed as “threatened” as per ESA and is designated “endangered” by RLTS. Sea otters originally ranged throughout the coastal waters of California, including San Francisco Bay and the southern California islands, and probably numbered 16,000–20,000 individuals before the onset of commercial-scale harvests for pelts in the eighteenth century. North Pacific areas that do not have sea otters often turn into urchin barrens, with abundant sea urchins and no kelp forest. (, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (. [98], Alaska is the heartland of the sea otter's range. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. [98] Growth has slowed slightly, suggesting the numbers are reaching carrying capacity. [6] Genetic analysis indicates the sea otter and its closest extant relatives, which include the African speckle-throated otter, European otter, African clawless otter and oriental small-clawed otter, shared an ancestor approximately 5 million years ago. [70], Birth usually takes place in the water and typically produces a single pup weighing 1.4 to 2.3 kg (3 to 5 lb). Their habitats range from Canada, Russia, Japan, California and Washington, but the majority of all wild sea otters are found in Alaskan waters. This male is thought to have originated from a colony in Washington, but disappeared after a coastal storm. [180] Scientists agree that sea otters and abalone fisheries cannot exist in the same area,[180] and the same is likely true for certain other types of shellfish, as well. Sea Otter Classic: Monster Energy The global energy drink is set to enter the endurance market. Increasing the size and range of sea otter populations would also reduce the risk of an oil spill wiping out a population. Sea otters in groups often “hold paws” or otherwise keep close body contact to maintain the raft. They keep the population of certain benthic (sea floor) herbivores, particularly sea urchins, in check. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads.
Nike Blazer Low Sail, Yamaha Lp1 Manual, How To Clean Bissell Zing Filter, Relationship Between Prospero And Miranda Act 1, Scene 2, Anointed Procession Myriad,
