Sea Otters

The animal in the spotlight in the month of September is the otter. The otter is a mammal that enjoys eating both meat and vegetables. Otters are members of the same category as weasels. As a member of the Mustelidae family of animals they are closely related to other familiar animals like skunks, weasels, wolverines and badgers. Perhaps you would be surprised that the Sea Otter is the largest member of the weasel family but the smallest animal in the North American marine animal category. 

Most sea otters call Alaska home. In fact only about 10% of sea otters live anywhere else besides the coastline of Alaska. While many otters call this area of land home there are others that live down along the coastline of California. The United States protects the sea otter under the 1970 Endangered Species Act. Before the protection that is now extended to the animal hunters had nearly extinguished the Sea Otter as its fur was highly tradeable. However, even in the early days the issue was noted by those that cared and the 1911 Fur Seal Treaty was created.

The Sea Otter can live comfortable in the cold water due to its thick fur. The otter was blessed with the thickest fur of all animals with over 600,000 hair follicles per square inch. While its fur is thick the otter unlike other marine mammals has no layer of blubber. Thus you will often find otters grooming and conditioning their fur to keep it conditions for well insulation.

Warm water sea otters differ from those that live in the cold water in their breeding season. Warm water sea otters breed and pup year round but those that live in the cold water often will keep the breeding season for spring. Whether in the cold or warm water the pup will stay with its mother for 6 months while it learns skills to survive. Life survival skills of the otter include holding its breath and staying submerged for several minutes at a time. While under water they are able to sense prey and search for food.

Sea Otters are important to the eco= system that is important to all of us. 

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