Oceandwelling sea otters are less stocky than their riverine otter counterparts. Find out more about otters with fun facts for kids. Otter facts for kids otter information dk find out. Sea otters are the heaviest members of the weasel family, and have adapted to the marine environment in which they live.
When sea otter populations are healthy, urchin populations are kept in check, and kelp is abundant. Dense fur keeps the sea otter warm in the cold waters it lives in. The sea otter from north america have been tracked journeying as far as southern japan. The southern sea otter is far of reaching its habitat carrying capacity since this. Sea otters are carnivores in the family mustelidaea group of animals that also includes terrestrial and semiaquatic forms such as weasels, badgers, skunks, fishers, minks, and river otters. The international fur seal treaty of 1911ended the commercial fur trade and saved the sea otter population from further decline. Otter, any of 14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. The sea otter seldom ventures on land but likes to keep the shore in sight. Nature expert explains sea otters and kelp youtube. This helps them make tight turns underwater as they chase after prey. They might be one of the smallest marine mammals, but they also have a disproportionately large influence on one of the earths most productive ecosystems. The sea otter enhydra lutris is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and. They find their food on the ocean floor, and carry out all other. Welcome,you are looking at books for reading, the otter animal, you will able to read or download in pdf or epub books and notice some of author may have lock the live reading for some of country.
Sea otters are members of the weasel family mustelidae. Recovery plan for the southern sea otter us fish and wildlife. The about sea otters link includes not just information about otters themselves, but also about the otters role in the ecosystem and its relationship with humans. The asian small clawed otter is the smallest otter species and the giant otter and sea otter are the largest. Despite the fact that sea otters are the largest members of the weasel family, sea otters are among the smallest mammals in the marine world. A kids picture book about sea otters fun facts for kids about sea otters. The sea otters teeth are ideal for crushing and grinding, but for prey that are more difficult to crack open, sea otters have been observed to use rocks as tools. Sea otter photos and fun facts for sea otter awareness. This would play into the coloring of makeup i would choose when creating an otter rendering. By 2004, sea otters had repopulated all of their former habitat in these areas. Sometimes they hold hands so they dont drift away from each other.
Some otters, like the european and african clawless otter, hunt fish, octopus, frogs and other aquatic prey. You will find out the very interesting sea otter from their background to the diet and habitat of the sea otter. Otter animal download pdfepub ebook gets free book. The sea otter enhydra lutris is the smallest marine mammal in north america, and occupies the chilly coastal seas of the central and northern pacific ocean. Sea otter facts for kids sea otter habitat dk find out.
Mothers will continue to float on their backs, nurse their young and teach them to swim and hunt. Sea otters use rocks to crack open shellfish and clams to eat. The european otter lutra lutra was common as recently as the 1950s, but became rare because of ddt pesticides, habitat loss and water pollution. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. The main threats to the southern sea otter are habitat degradation including oil spills and other. California sea otters are listed as threatened under the endangered species act.
Todays students are in the enviable position of having the opportunity to learn about groundbreaking science happening simultaneous to them learning about it. Jan 01, 2017 sea otters may be the worlds most adorable apex predators. They can sleep, eat, play, and take care of their babies in the ocean. It is an amphibious member of this family as are the mink and sea otter.
Its hind feet are webbed and flat so they work more like flippers. See the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter. The fund pays for important scientific research, public education and law enforcement that benefits sea otters. In 2006, defenders of wildlife worked with california lawmakers on legislation that established the california sea otter fund, a voluntary contribution option on the state tax forms. Sea otters are the only fully aquatic form of otters, but they share features with the others such as thick fur and short ears. Provides insight into the world of the sea otter, their grooming habits, how they care for their young, how they live, and what they eat. This thick fur keeps the animals warm but unfortunately has led to overhunting by humans of many of these mustelid species. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The sea otter is possibly more interesting than it is adorable. This page contains sea otter facts and information, and is part of our arctic animals series. Archived from the original pdf on 16 february 2008.
They have webbed feet, waterrepellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Highschool science students should follow the research link for dozens of articles, most in pdf format. The river otter lutra canadensis is a member of the mustelidae or weasel family. Lets find out about the description, size, lifespan, habitat and much more in sea otter facts for kids. The sea otter has also been known to grow to more than 1 meter long. Sea otters are furry, playful mammals known for holding hands with one another. Sea otters are social animals, usually found in groups, called rafts. See more ideas about worksheets, otters and reading comprehension worksheets. Sea otters are the only marine mammal on the planet that has no blubber. These cute sea creatures are highly specialized predators with many interesting behaviors. Usually, a single baby called a pup is produced following 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. They live along the pacific coast of north america.
Otters talk to other animals and otters with whistles, growls, chuckles and screams, as well as chirps, squeals, and some kinds of otters might even purr. Sea otter is the heaviest and the second smallest aquatic member of weasel family. Youll need to know what helps an otter swim, how long it can hold its breath and what you call baby otters. To manage the competition between sea otters and fisheries, it declared an otterfree zone. You can also get involved by becoming a member of friends of the sea otter, donating money towards conservation work, or volunteering your time. River otter fact sheet wildlife resources division. Sea otters have an amazing background here you will find out a thing or two about sea. They are the only mammals other than primates, and a few other animals, including birds, known to use tools. Male sea otters usually weigh 22 to 45 kg 49 to 99 lb and are 1. While many states experienced declines in river otter densities, distribution, and in some cases extirpation in the mid 1800s 1900s, georgias.
They are about four feet long and can weigh up to 65 pounds. They will come on shore if there is a bad storm or to deliver a pup. Despite the fact that sea otters are the largest members of the weasel family, sea otters are among the smallest mammals in the marine world the sea otter is known to have one of the thickest, warmest coats of fur in the animal kingdom which helps to keep the sea otter warm in the. The sea otter population declined to approximately 2,000 individuals by 1911. Most have sharp claws on their feet except for the sea otter that have long, muscular tails.
This publication assesses the issues influencing prospects for continued conservation and. Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily lutrinae. It also included kamchatka, and as far south as japan. Sea otters are amazing little creatures that spend much of their lives floating in the water. Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs. The sea otter enhydra lutris is the largest member ofthe family mustelidae. Sea otters live in coastal areas with shallow water. They have very thick fur near about 250,000 to one million hair per square inch. Sea otters eat clams, crabs, mussels, and shellfish. To shake up playtime, the cheerble threeinone board game looks to provide your feline housemate with hours of hands free.
Sea otters are born swimmers with long, sleek, streamlined bodies with webbed feet. Find highquality sea otter stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. It has short tail and webbedfeet with retractable front claws. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The sea otters diet includes fish, crabs, mollusks, and sea urchins, and it has very strong teeth for crushing their.
See the fact file below for more information on the otters or alternatively, you can download our 18page otter worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. Otters in alaska are both listed as threatened under the endangered species act. Sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimeters of skin. The sea otter is a small marine mammal native to the north and eastern coasts of the pacific ocean. Whether on its back or its front, the endangered sea otter is a proficient swimmer, and a classic family attraction in aquariums and in the wild alike. Marshes may also be very important habitat, for raising young and as a source of frogs. Conservation of the asian smallclawed otter aonyx cinereus in humanmodified landscapes, western ghats, india article pdf available in tropical conservation science 51.
Sea otters are streamlined marine mammals, which look like a larger. They have a rich fur for which humans hunted them almost to extinction. Sea otter conservation brings together the vast knowledge of wellrespected leaders in the field, offering insight into the more than 100 years of conservation and research that have resulted in recovery from near extinction. These aquatic members of the weasel family are often seen floating on their backs.
Descriptive nonfiction, 162 words, lexile 430l level 1 grades k1. The fur is responsible for insulating them and keeping them warm because they do not have a layer of blubber to keep them warm and protect them from the outside environment. The extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Sea otter animal profile, pictures, facts, range map. For those interested in nature and wildlife, especially those in the san francisco bay and monterey bay regions of california and those in the.
They use small rocks or other objects to pry shellfish. They stayed relatively common in parts of scotland and ireland, but numbers in england reached a low point in the 1980s. Tune into our live sea otter cam for your daily dose of sea otter cuteness. Sea otter simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. While otters completely disappeared from the rivers of most of central and southern england in just 50. Her legacy lives on through the 12 sea otters she reared and in the hearts of millions of aquarium visitors who were touched by her selflessness and charm. May 02, 2019 the big blue ocean s1 e1 inside an adorable sea otter adoption program. The predators that saved an ecosystem tells their story in a way built to please kids and adults alike. Sea otter pictures download free images on unsplash. Like weasels, otters have short legs and long flexible bodies. Ever wondered where a sea otter keeps its favourite rock. See more ideas about sea otter, otters and embroidery. See the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter see the sea otter.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading sea otters. The hind feet of the sea otter are long, broad, and flipperlike, while the forefeet are small. Without blubber for insulation against the freezing waters they inhabit sea otters rely on incredibly dense fur to keep themselves warm. The sea otter s brown to black fur is the finest and densest of any animal fur. Get information about different types of otters and discover interesting facts for kids with dk find out. Otters are funny and lovely animals with great intelligence. See the fact file below for more information on the sea otters or alternatively, you can download our 25page sea otter worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. Background of sea otters all the facts about the sea otter. Dow sea otter fact sheet 2011 defenders of wildlife. Sea otter facts for kids sea otter fun facts and information.
An adult sea otters coat can have more than 800 million hairs. Apr, 2014 the differences in the otter s fur depending on if it is a sea or river otter. Sea otters have webbed feet, waterrepellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils. They also leave their scent on plants to mark their territory. Its sea otter awareness week and were celebrating this amazing marine mammal species and its important role in the kelp forest ecosystem with this collection of cute photos and fun facts. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg 31 and 99 lb, making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. The hind feet of the otter are webbed and the ears and nose have valves that close when the otter submerges to make the otter watertight. Two separate populations of sea otters live in north america.
Pdf conservation of the asian smallclawed otter aonyx. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the northern river otter among others. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The movie sea otter 501 was made in memory of toola, who died of natural causes at the ripe old age of 16 years old in 2012. Most have sharp claws on their feet and all except the sea otter have long, muscular tails. Therefore it need a free signup process to obtain the book. The otter is lithe and slender with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flat tail that helps propel it gracefully through water. Sea otter enhydra lutris care manual assets service.
The sea otter has long whiskers and waterrepellent coat that insulates the animal from freezing water. Learns to read and learn about real animals while enjoying a soft miniature stuffy of one. Sea otter habitat is typically defined by the 40 m 1 ft depth contour. The asian smallclawed otter is the smallest otter species and the giant otter and sea otter are the largest. It also included kamchatka, and as far south as japan sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimeters of skin. Sea otters are very social animals that can live in groups made up of hundreds of individuals. The sea otter is only found in salt water, where it prefers to eat invertebrates such as shellfish. Their historic range included shallow waters of the bering strait. A sea otter is an animal that has very thick, brownishblack fur and lives mostly in the water. This site uses cookies and by continuing to browse it you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Sea otters are the heaviest of the otter species giant otters are the.
Feeding, habitat, anatomy, reproduction, distribution, communication, predators and all the information about otters. Otters are thirteen species of semiaquatic or aquatic mammals. This quiz will test you on important river otter facts. The sea otter enhydra lutris is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern north pacific ocean. Fun facts sea o tters consume from 25%30% of their body weight in food each day. Jun 26, 2019 sea otters are a keystone species and play a critical role in the food web of the kelp forest, so much so that even terrestrial species are influenced by sea otter activity. Report a stranded otter if you come across a sea otter you think is sick, injured or abandoned, please give it space and call the marine mammal centers stranding hotline at 415 2897325. Lutrinae is a branch of the mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers.