[97] Population estimates made between 2004 and 2007 give a worldwide total of approximately 107,000 sea otters.[16][98][99][100][101]. These are the first documented sightings of otters this far south in 30 years. Its cousin, the southern sea otter, is found off the coasts of California. The sea otter, however, rarely comes ashore, according to the San Diego Zoo. [43], An adult's 32 teeth, particularly the molars, are flattened and rounded for crushing rather than cutting food. Northern Sea Otter (ã¢ã©ã¹ã«ã©ãã³, Arasuka Rakko) is a Friends that appeared in the Kemono Friends game. [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. [179][180], Some of the sea otter's preferred prey species, particularly abalone, clams, and crabs, are also food sources for humans. Article continued below. [188] The sea otter is a recurring figure in Ainu folklore. Adele Ogden wrote in "The California Sea Otter Trade" that sea otter were hunted "from Yezo northeastward past the Kuril Group and Kamchatka to the Aleutian Chain". As word spread, people from all over Europe and North America began to arrive in the Pacific Northwest to trade for sea otter furs. Fandom Apps Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. [104] The sea otter population in Prince William Sound was also hit hard by the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which killed thousands of sea otters in 1989. [59] The Exxon Valdez oil spill of 24 March 1989 killed thousands of sea otters in Prince William Sound, and as of 2006, the lingering oil in the area continues to affect the population. The northern Sea Otters. The Southeast stock can be found in the coastal waters of Southeast Alaska. [161] By the 1760s, the Russians had reached Alaska. The ones moved to Oregon disappeared. The northern sea otter subspecies (E. lutris kenyoni), is found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. The pattern of disappearances is consistent with a rise in predation, but there has been no direct evidence of orcas preying on sea otters to any significant extent. [173] The most widely accepted, but still controversial, hypothesis is that killer whales have been eating the otters. [127] However, after engaging in a period of public commentary in 2005, the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to release a formal decision on the issue. [140] However, male and female otters have been confirmed by scientists off shores of the Baja Peninsula in a 2014 study, who hypothesize that otter dispersed there beginning in 2005. [40] Researchers have noted when they approach in plain view, sea otters react more rapidly when the wind is blowing towards the animals, indicating the sense of smell is more important than sight as a warning sense. [72] Mothers have been observed to lick and fluff a newborn for hours; after grooming, the pup's fur retains so much air, the pup floats like a cork and cannot dive. The Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) is the smallest marine mammal, and quite arguably the cutest, with its gentle expression and playful nature endearing it to many . Historically, southern sea otters were present in coastal marine habitats from northern California to Baja California in Mexico. [183], Left: Aleut sea otter amulet in the form of a mother with pup. Climate Change – KQED/QUEST (2014)", "Aquatic Species at Risk – Species Profile – Sea Otter", "Parasite Shed in Cat Feces Kills Sea Otters – California Sea Grant", "Aleutian Sea Otter population falls 70% in eight years", National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "National Marine Sanctuaries Regulations", "Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary History", "Historical Ecology of Late Holocene Sea Otters (, "Seattle Aquarium's Youngest Sea Otter Lootas Becomes a Mom", "Vancouver Aquarium's oldest sea otter, Nyac, passes", De Bestiis Marinis, or, The Beasts of the Sea (1751), Precipice of Survival: The Southern Sea Otter, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sea_otter&oldid=998917440, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Articles containing potentially dated statements from January 2015, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 January 2021, at 16:59. [54] When eating, sea otters roll in the water frequently, apparently to wash food scraps from their fur. [11] In some respects, though, the sea otter is more fully adapted to water than pinnipeds, which must haul out on land or ice to give birth. ⢠Adult males can grow up to five feet in length and weigh up to 90 pounds in Alaska and Northern sea otter exploitation impacted nearshore community structure through the increase of epibenthic invertebrates, which have since been exploited by fisheries. 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. Southern sea otters, also called California sea otters, live in waters along the California coastline, ranging from San Mateo County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. Previous studies had suggested that Oregon was a transitional zone where the physical and genetic traits of the Southern California and Northern Alaska sea otter populations may have come together. [92] Although they are most strongly associated with rocky substrates, sea otters can also live in areas where the sea floor consists primarily of mud, sand, or silt. (1963) "Museum materials on the Aleuts". 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. [9] The modern sea otter evolved initially in northern Hokkaidō and Russia, and then spread east to the Aleutian Islands, mainland Alaska, and down the North American coast. [112][113][114] Their principal range has gradually expanded and extends from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Santa Barbara County. Lifespan. and females 50â70 lbs. 6. This pouch also holds a rock, unique to the otter, that is used to break open shellfish and clams. [69] Gestation appears to vary from four to twelve months, as the species is capable of delayed implantation followed by four months of pregnancy. [91] They are found most often in areas with protection from the most severe ocean winds, such as rocky coastlines, thick kelp forests, and barrier reefs. These otters inhabit Alaska and the western Pacific coast, from the Aleutian Islands to British Columbia, northern Oregon and Washington. This allows space for competing species and increases species diversity.[153]. All about the sea otter . "Northern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)." [195] Filmed five years previously at the Vancouver Aquarium, it was YouTube's most popular animal video at the time, although it has since been surpassed. [16][146] Contrary to popular depictions, sea otters rarely eat starfish, and any kelp that is consumed apparently passes through the sea otter's system undigested. [98] By 2004, sea otters had repopulated all of their former habitat in these areas, with an estimated total population of about 27,000. [193] The Seattle Aquarium became the first institution to raise sea otters from conception to adulthood with the birth of Tichuk in 1979, followed by three more pups in the early 1980s. [65] Females coo when they are apparently content; males may grunt instead. A sea otter has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, and must consume large quantities of food. United States, otter origins, however one otter had a haplotype not previously reported, and could represent a remnant of the original native Mexican otter population. Threats Sea otters were hunted for their fur in the 18th and 19th century, nearly driving the species to extinction. [173], Many facets of the interaction between sea otters and the human economy are not as immediately felt. Making a (slow) comeback. Northern Sea Otter Enhydra lutris kenyoni Wilson 1991. collect. [2] Before the 1700's, an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 sea otters inhabited the area from northern Japan to the ⦠Among their food preferences are sea urchins, crabs, abalone, clams, mussels, octopus, and fishes. [16], The small geographic ranges of the sea otter populations in California, Washington, and British Columbia mean a single major spill could be catastrophic for that state or province. [31] The hind feet, which provide most of its propulsion in swimming, are long, broadly flattened, and fully webbed. Box 1329 , Seward, AK 99664, Phone: (907) 224-6300 • Toll Free: (800) 224-2525 • Fax: (907) 224-6320, Legal Name: Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science, 501 (c)(3) Tax ID: 92-0132479 Privacy Policy, Save the Center Organization & Corporate Donors. [121] Another group of twenty swam 74 miles (119 km) north to San Miguel Island, where they were captured and removed. [71] Pup mortality is high, particularly during an individual's first winter – by one estimate, only 25% of pups survive their first year. [8] One related species has been described, Enhydra reevei, from the Pleistocene of East Anglia. [133][134] A record number of sea otter carcasses were found on California's coastline in 2010, with increased shark attacks an increasing component of the mortality. Between 1803 and 1846, 72 American ships were involved in the otter hunt in California, harvesting an estimated 40,000 skins and tails, compared to only 13 ships of the Russian-American Company, which reported 5,696 otter skins taken between 1806 and 1846. Although they hunt on the sea floor, they return to the surface to eat. 1. ⦠Genetic analysis of most of these animals were consistent with California, i.e. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. [104], Another area of concern is California, where recovery began to fluctuate or decline in the late 1990s. In California, great white sharks are their primary predator[154] but there is no evidence that the sharks eat them. The final assembly provided 2.426 Gbp of ⦠", Archeological Research Issues for the Point Reyes National Seashore – Golden Gate National Recreation Area, "Sea Otter Show Striking Variability in Diets And Feeding Strategies", "U.S. The other three groups are the pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals and walruses), the sirenians (manatees and dugongs), and the cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins). The Service is beginning the process of implementing ⦠[184] The health of the kelp forest ecosystem is significant in nurturing populations of fish, including commercially important fish species. [81] When foraging, she leaves her pup floating on the water, sometimes wrapped in kelp to keep it from floating away;[82] if the pup is not sleeping, it cries loudly until she returns. [141], Sea otters consume over 100 prey species. The northern sea otter can be found off the coasts of Alaska and Washington state. [153], Sea otters affect rocky ecosystems that are dominated by mussel beds by removing mussels from rocks. The harvest of these otters is allowed to the native people only for personal uses, craftwork, trading or making ⦠Within Alaska, there are 3 stocks. Northern sea otters possess longer mandibles (lower jaws) while southern sea otters have longer rostrums and smaller teeth. [16][49][55] Prevention of oil spills and preparation to rescue otters if one happens is a major focus for conservation efforts. This range decreased significantly during the fur trade during the 18th and 19th centuries, with excessive hunting nearly driving the species into extinction by the early 1900s. [126], When the USFWS implemented the translocation program, it also attempted, in 1986, to implement "zonal management" of the Californian population. [52] Females with pups appear to be more inclined to feed at night. Northern Sea Otters are endemic to shore waters that range from Hokkaido, Japan up towards eastern Russia and the Pacific coastal areas of the United States, ranging from Alaska to southern California. [55] The sea otter may also pluck snails and other organisms from kelp and dig deep into underwater mud for clams. [3] At birth, the eyes are open, ten teeth are visible, and the pup has a thick coat of baby fur. Most Sea Otter "raft" in kelp beds with other otters. [41] Other observations indicate the sea otter's sense of sight is useful above and below the water, although not as good as that of seals. Some live on land, some in freshwater, others in ⦠When Ezo Red Fox, Serval and Reindeer are swimming at the beach, Serval is pulled ⦠Sea otters currently have stable populations in parts of the Russian east coast, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and California, with reports of recolonizations in Mexico and Japan. [96] By the early 1900s, Baja's sea otters were extirpated by hunting. 1993; von Biela et The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. In most of its range, it is a keystone species, controlling sea urchin populations which would otherwise inflict extensive damage to kelp forest ecosystems. Female otters give birth to one pup at a time. Breeding males are territorial and defend areas where females are concentrated. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Northern sea otters were once widely found all over the North Pacific Rim, from northern Japan to Russia, Canada and the U.S., but, by the start of the 20 th century, the maritime fur trade had reduced that number to a mere 2,000. However, temporary pair-bonding occurs for a few days between a female in estrus and her mate. Pups are 3–5 pounds at birth and light brown in color. Sea otters have been credited with contributing to the kelp harvesting industry via their well-known role in controlling sea urchin populations; kelp is used in the production of diverse food and pharmaceutical products. These sea otter may have dispersed from San Nicolas Island, which is 300 kilometres (190 mi) away, as individuals have been recorded traversing distances of over 800 kilometres (500 mi). Sea otters live in shallow coastal waters in the northern Pacific. [42] Its hearing is neither particularly acute nor poor. [183] Although human divers harvest red sea urchins both for food and to protect the kelp, sea otters hunt more sea urchin species and are more consistently effective in controlling these populations. The North Pacific Fur Seal Treaty of 1911 included sea otters and protected the species somewhat. 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. Whereas a female southern sea otter grows up to 50 pounds, a female northern sea otter can weigh up to 70 pounds. [52] Foraging resumes for a few hours in the afternoon and subsides before sunset, and a third foraging period may occur around midnight. DNA sequencing methods that utilize microfluidic partitioned and non-partitioned library construction were used to establish the sea otter genome. This population increased to over 5,600 in 2013 with an estimated annual growth rate of 7.2%, and their range on the island's west coast extended north to Cape Scott and across the Queen Charlotte Strait to the Broughton Archipelago and south to Clayoquot Sound and Tofino. Between 1741 and 1911, a period of extensive hunting for ⦠[176] 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. In the eastern Pacific Ocean, E. l. kenyoni, the northern sea otter, is found from Alaska's Aleutian Islands to Oregon and E. l. nereis, the southern sea otter, is native to central and southern California. The nostrils and small ears can close. READ MORE: Active marine oil slick near Nootka Sound tied to historic 1968 Bligh Island shipwreck. Population. Males can weigh up to 70 lbs. [157] The surviving crew members, which included naturalist Georg Steller, discovered sea otters on the beaches of the island and spent the winter hunting sea otters and gambling with otter pelts. [142] Where prey such as sea urchins, clams, and abalone are present in a range of sizes, sea otters tend to select larger items over smaller ones of similar type. [172], In the Aleutian Islands, a massive and unexpected disappearance of sea otters has occurred in recent decades. After the years of the Great Hunt, the population in these areas, currently part of Russia, was only 750. Northern sea otters are found along the coast of Alaska and Washington, and Russian otters are found in the Pacific Ocean off Russia and Japan. [85] Several captive individuals have lived past 20 years, and a female at the Seattle Aquarium died at the age of 28 years. âThat suggests that it would be the most appropriate to reintroduce sea otters from those locations to ⦠[47] [178] An estimated 1,200 sea otters live within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and more than 500 live within the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The Northern Sea Route (Russian: СеÌвеÑнÑй моÑÑкоÌй пÑÑÑ, Severnyy morskoy put, shortened to СевмоÑпÑÑÑ, Sevmorput) is a shipping route officially defined by Russian legislation as lying east of Novaya Zemlya and specifically running along the Russian Arctic coast from the Kara Sea, along Siberia, to the Bering Strait.The ⦠[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). [165] In 1812, the Russians founded an agricultural settlement at what is now Fort Ross in northern California, as their southern headquarters. [153] The role of sea otters in maintaining kelp forests has been observed to be more important in areas of open coast than in more protected bays and estuaries. [16] Sea otters can thoroughly remove abalone from an area except for specimens in deep rock crevices,[149] however, they never completely wipe out a prey species from an area. [190] The beginning of commercial exploitation had a great impact on the human, as well as animal, populations the Ainu and Aleuts have been displaced or their numbers are dwindling, while the coastal tribes of North America, where the otter is in any case greatly depleted, no longer rely as intimately on sea mammals for survival. Versions of a widespread Aleut legend tell of lovers or despairing women who plunge into the sea and become otters. [125] Sea otters were observed twice in Southern California in 2011, once near Laguna Beach and once at Zuniga Point Jetty, near San Diego. [59] To open hard shells, it may pound its prey with both paws against a rock on its chest. [129], Although the southern sea otter's range has continuously expanded from the remnant population of about 50 individuals in Big Sur since protection in 1911, from 2007 to 2010, the otter population and its range contracted and since 2010 has made little progress. The sea otter has a metabolic rate two or three times that of comparatively sized terrestrial mammals. Sea otters use rocks to crack open their prey as fast as 45 blows in 15 seconds. Urban runoff transporting cat feces into the ocean brings Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate parasite of felids, which has killed sea otters. Eventually, sea otter populations became so depleted, commercial hunting was no longer viable. [64], The species exhibits a variety of vocal behaviors. For one of the smallest marine mammals on Earth (yet the largest member of the weasel family), the sea otter has racked up quite a few superlatives: 10. Animals found covered in oil, response team looking at rehabilitation options Binny Paul, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter; Dec. 16, 2020 2:30 p.m. News Family: The Sea Otter is the largest member of the weasel family (the Mustelidae). Sea otters may help mitigate effects of climate change by their cascading trophic influence[151], Reintroduction of sea otters to British Columbia has led to a dramatic improvement in the health of coastal ecosystems,[152] and similar changes have been observed as sea otter populations recovered in the Aleutian and Commander Islands and the Big Sur coast of California[153] However, some kelp forest ecosystems in California have also thrived without sea otters, with sea urchin populations apparently controlled by other factors. [44] Seals and sea otters are the only carnivores with two pairs of lower incisor teeth rather than three;[45] the adult dental formula is 3.1.3.12.1.3.2. North Pacific areas that do not have sea otters often turn into urchin barrens, with abundant sea urchins and no kelp forest. [128] Although abalone fisherman blamed the incursions of sea otters for the decline of abalone, commercial abalone fishing in southern California came to an end from overfishing in 1997, years before significant otter moved south of Point Conception. Surprisingly, though, the diets of individuals were more specialized in these areas than in areas where food was plentiful. Archaeological evidence indicates that for thousands of years, indigenous peoples have hunted sea otters for food and fur. [60] The Aleuts carved sea otter bones for use as ornaments and in games, and used powdered sea otter baculum as a medicine for fever. [30], The sea otter displays numerous adaptations to its marine environment. The South central population spans from west of Glacier Bay to the eastern edge of Cook Inlet. Otter were also taken from San Benito Island, Cedros Island, and Isla Natividad in the Bay. Three subspecies of the sea otter are recognized with distinct geographical distributions. Sea otter pup can emit a strong high-pitched call when in distress or separated from its mother. Its relatively large kidneys enable it to derive fresh water from sea water and excrete concentrated urine. The South central population spans from west of Glacier Bay to the eastern edge of Cook Inlet. Non-breeding males may form their own groups in an area just outside the breeding territory. During the 1880s, a pelt brought $105 to $165 in the London market, but by 1903, a pelt could be worth as much as $1,125. [121], Sea otters are a classic example of a keystone species; their presence affects the ecosystem more profoundly than their size and numbers would suggest. In addition, white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni), a species never overlapping with sea otter, had declined in numbers 99% by 1996, and became the first marine invertebrate to be federally listed as endangered. But instead, I held back and listened to the conversation, thinking back to ten years ago or so when I first saw river otters in the ocean. Increasing sea otter abundance creates competition and conflict with fisheries and native Alaskans, with crabbing and sea urchin hunting the main concerns. The current range extends along the California coast from Half Moon Bay in the north to Santa Barbara in the south, though individuals are occasionally seen outside these limits. Northern sea otter, southwest Alaska DPS Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Conservation Status G Rank: G4T2T S Rank: S3 Agency: Final Rank Conservation category: IX. It is nursed by its mother for six months to a year, but can begin foraging in shallow water habitats as soon as six ⦠6-10 Otter Facts. A remnant population survived off Vancouver Island into the 20th century, but it died out despite the 1911 international protection treaty, with the last sea otter taken near Kyuquot in 1929. [57] It uses its lower incisor teeth to access the meat in shellfish. Learn all about the Northern Sea Otter. [16], The last native sea otter in Oregon was probably shot and killed in 1906. By the 1840s, the once plentiful sea otters had been driven to the brink of extinction. [139], Historian Adele Ogden described sea otters are particularly abundant in "Lower California", now the Baja California Peninsula, where "seven bays...were main centers". Many Aleuts were either murdered by the Russians or died from diseases the hunters had introduced. [124] The spring 2016 count at San Nicolas Island was 104 sea otters, continuing a 5-year positive trend of over 12% per year. [26] Most of its need for water is met through food, although, in contrast to most other marine mammals, it also drinks seawater. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson wrote: As a playful, photogenic, innocent bystander, the sea otter epitomized the role of victim ... cute and frolicsome sea otters suddenly in distress, oiled, frightened, and dying, in a losing battle with the oil. Sea otter, heron treated as team battles active oil slick off Vancouver Island. [145] However, south of Alaska on the North American coast, fish are a negligible or extremely minor part of the sea otter's diet. [16], Nursing lasts six to eight months in Californian populations and four to twelve months in Alaska, with the mother beginning to offer bits of prey at one to two months. [181], The debate is complicated because sea otters have sometimes been held responsible for declines of shellfish stocks that were more likely caused by overfishing, disease, pollution, and seismic activity. [175] Necropsies of dead sea otters indicate diseases, particularly Toxoplasma gondii and acanthocephalan parasite infections, are major causes of sea otter mortality in California. Tinker, M. T., et al. The Northern Sea Otter who appears in the manga has an odd fixation with collecting treasure, claiming to be a "Treasure King" in the likeness of Lupin the Third. [79] Much has been written about the level of devotion of sea otter mothers for their pups – a mother gives her infant almost constant attention, cradling it on her chest away from the cold water [80] and attentively grooming its fur. Today, southern sea otters are found in central California and northern sea otters are found in parts of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. [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. [137] However, the population increased markedly from 2015 to 2016, with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) California sea otter survey 3-year average reaching 3,272 in 2016, the first time it exceeded the threshold for delisting from the Endangered Species Act (ESA).