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Sea Otter
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[edit] Why should I be aware of this?
Sea otters were hunted to extinction for their rich fur which was used for making coats. Incidentally, sea otters have the thickest fur in the animal kingdom. They were listed as threatened species in the Endangered Species Act in 1977 and are now mostly found in the northern Pacific Ocean where the water is shallow and along the coasts of Japan.
Before sea otters were hunted to near extinction they could also be found in Mexico and Alaska. Some other places were
- Near Japan coast lines and Kuril Islands.
- The islands of Aleutian.
- Some parts of Russia
Some other threats to the sea otter are :
[edit] How does this affect me?
Disappearance of species can affect our biodiversity and our food chain. Like all of us, they have a right to live.
[edit] All about sea otters
Small sea otter populations inhabit kelp forests, bays and coastal waters near islands, reefs, and fjords in the North Pacific Ocean.
Sea otters eat
- Clams
- Mussels
- Chitons
- Snails
- Prawns
- Crabs
- Abalone
- Sea urchins
- Squid
- Sea star legs
- Several species of fishes.
[edit] The sea otter population[1]
- British Columbia: approximately 3,000 (2003).
- Russia: approximately 22,500
- Alaska: approximately 71,500
- California: approximately 2,500
- Washington: approximately 550
Since sea otters do not have a layer of blubber underneath their fur they can easily die from cold. The furs of sea otters are the only thing that protects them and keep them warm. If oil gets on their fur they will die. This is why they are threatened by oil spills. They can also be threatened by shellfish fishers as their body gets tangled up in fishing net.
[edit] What can I do?
- A good way to help save sea otters is to protect their habitats and their homes. Since they live in the ocean not causing as much oil spills. Also you should give them a place where they can live without humans bothering them. You could also try to make a good living environment for otters by removing garbage in the ocean to protect sea otters. Pollution in the water can be very dangerous for the sea otters.
- One other way is to encourage you family to walk or ride the bicycle and to save the water. When you go somewhere that is not so far try to travel by bicycles or walk instead of using the car. Also try to save the water by closing it when you are not using it instead of keeping it running, that way, there will be more water for the sea otters in the ocean.
- Another good way to help save the sea otters is to make your voice be heard! Talk to your friends, family members, and employees about saving sea otters. Write letters and articles to newspapers about sea otters and how we should protect them. You could also start groups that talk about saving sea otters or organizations that help keep a safe home for the sea otters. Letting more people know about the endangered sea otters and how to save them can be a big help.
[edit] 90 degrees
[edit] What are the differences between a sea otter and a river otter?
- Sea otters are found only in the ocean and are rarely seen on land. River otters swim in rivers, streams and the ocean.
- A sea otter’s tail appears much shorter than a river otter’s .
- Sea otters have paddle-shaped hind limbs, whereas the river otters have webbed paws.
- Sea otters are commonly seen in large groups, while river otters rarely occur in groups larger than a single family which may include 3-4 young.
- Sea otters usually have a single pup, born in the water. River otter pups (3-4 in number) are born on land.
[edit] CopperBytes
- Sea Otter has the densest fur coat amongst fur bearing mammal. Its coat consists of over 100,000 individual hairs per square inch.
- A sea otter’s skin never gets wet.
- River otters, weasels, and badgers are sea otter relatives.
- Large complex kidneys make it possible for sea otters to drink salt water.
- Sea otters use rocks to break open their food.
- When an otter's fur becomes coated with oil from a spill it prevents the layer of air from forming and thus insulates the otter from the cold water. In the majority of cases, oil covered otters actually die from hypothermia because their natural insulating system is compromised.
