Sea Otter

Continuing with my alphabetical series on "5" Star Photos we come to the Sea Otter. Admittedly, I don't have many ocean going animals even though I grew up in Maryland and lived in Western Washington for 18 years. Much of that time was spent fishing and not photographing. Once I became more interesting in photographing wildlife I spent in the interiors of British Columbia and Alberta. Yet, living near the Puget Sound did afford me a few animal photos.

The Sea Otter is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 30 and 100 pounds, making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter lives mostly in the ocean.

The sea otter inhabits offshore environments, where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various mollusks and crustaceans, and some species of fish. Its foraging and eating habits are noteworthy in several respects. First, its use of rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools. In most of its range, it is a keystone species, controlling sea urchin populations which would otherwise inflict extensive damage to kelp forest ecosystems. Its diet includes prey species that are also valued by humans as food, leading to conflicts between sea otters and fisheries.

Sea otters, whose numbers were once estimated at 150,000–300,000, were hunted extensively for their fur between 1700 and 1900, and the world population fell to 1,000–2,000 individuals. A subsequent international ban on hunting, conservation efforts, and reintroduction programs into previously populated areas have contributed to numbers rebounding, and the species now occupies about two-thirds of its former range. The recovery of the sea otter is considered an important success in marine conservation, although populations in the Aleutian Islands and California have recently declined or have plateaued at depressed levels. For these reasons, the sea otter remains classified as an endangered species.

Sea Otter

Intermediate Mammals - Part III

My collection of water mammals is somewhat limited. I had both a mink and a couple of nutrias but, cannot find them, so ....  (Thank goodness for Digital and iPhoto now). 

Anyway, starting with the Otters.  The Sea Otter  is found along the northern coasts of the Pacific Ocean. Adult Sea Otters weigh between 30 and 100 pounds making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, although still one of the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the Sea Otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter lives mostly in the ocean. The Sea Otter inhabits nearshore environments where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly upon marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, molluscs, and crustaceans. Sea Otters were hunted extensively for their fur between 1741 and 1911, and the world population fell to 1,000–2,000 (from about 300,000). Oil spills in the North Pacific have also taken its toll. Consequently the Sea Otter is classified as an "endangered species" and there is an international ban on hunting them.

Sea Otter

photo taken in Puget Sound, Washington

The Northern River Otter is a semi-aquatic (equally versatile in the water and on land) member of the weasel family found in and along the waterways and coasts of North America.  An adult River Otter can weigh up to 30 pounds making it much smaller than the Sea Otter. Like the Sea Otter, the River Otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The River Ottter makes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. Their dens have many tunnel openings—one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Female otters give birth in these underground burrows, producing litters of one to six young. North American River Otters prey mostly upon fish, but also consume various amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. Also like the Sea Otter, the River Otter's population has declined significantly due to trapping and habitat loss. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help stabilize the reduction in the overall River Otter population. The River Otter is more social than the Sea Otter as evidence by this photo of three adult River Otters sharing what appears to be a 30 pound King Salmon:

Northern River Otter

photo taken on the Columbia River

in the Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge

in Southwest Washington / Northwest Oregon