Marine Mammals

Species 1:

Southern Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris nereis (2)

Habitat(2): Sea otters float on the surface of the ocean when they are eating and relaxing, and they dive in kelp forests to find food.

Niche(2): In the kelp forest, sea otters eat sea urchins which are the biggest threat to the kelp forest. If the sea otters did not eat the urchins, then kelp forests would be gone in just a few months.

Adaptations(2): Sea otters do not have blubber to keep them warm in colder water. To keep themselves warm, otters have two layers of very thick, dense fur. It is the densest fur of any animal in the world with more than a million of hairs in one square inch. When grooming, they also create air bubbles in their coat that help with insulation.

Life Cycle:(1)

• Reproduce sexually year round, more commonly are May and June
• Gestation is 4-12 months
• The mother delivers her pup very quickly
  • Usually only had one. If she has two, she has to give one up.
• Pup stays with mother from 2 months to about a year.
• Females reach sexual maturity around 4 years old, and males at around 5-6 years.