Dec. 2/2020

Feature:

Sea Otter

"Sea otters are a charismatic marine mammal found in the north east Pacific Ocean. As a keystone species, sea otters are a critical member of the kelp forest ecosystems they live in. They are foragers, mostly eating hard-shelled invertebrates such as sea urchins. By keeping the population of kelp-grazing sea urchins to a minimum, sea otters are vital to the health & stability of the kelp forest, & in turn, all the species that depend on kelp forests for survival. Sea otters are preyed upon by bald eagles, orcas, & sharks...

DISTRIBUTION- North east Pacific Ocean

ECOSYSTEM/HABITAT- Shallow, coastal waters; often found in kelp canopies

FEEDING HABITS- Carnivores & foragers

CONSERVATION STATUS- Endangered/Threatened/Special Concern...

TAXONOMY- Order Carnivora (carnivores); Family Mustelidae (weasels)

Lifecycle- Sea otters are mammals & reach sexual maturity around 3 years of age for females & around 5-6 years for males, living to 15-20 years of age. Sea otter pups are usually born from April to July, though it can occur any time of year, & they after often born in the water! Females typically only have a single pup at a time, nursing them while floating on their backs. With a light yellowish-brown fur, pups usually only weigh around 2kg at birth.

Fishing- Historically, sea otters ranged from Mexico, all the way through the north east Pacific to Japan, but they were driven to the brink of extinction by the fur trade that began in the 1700s. By 1929, they were locally extinct, or extirpated, from British Columbia. Recognized as an important species for the health of the ecosystem, 89 sea otters were successfully reintroduced to British Columbia’s Checleset Bay between 1969 & 1972. Since then, there have been ongoing protective measures, leading to a population of over 6500 – & still growing! Today, sea otters are protected by law & can be found all along the west coast of Vancouver Island & part of the central coast of British Columbia."

                      

https://oceana.ca/

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