CALIFORNIA SEA OTTERS

Scientific Name:
Enhydra lutris kenyoni
1758

Common Name:
Sea otter

PREGNANCY

• No sign of pregnancy
• Typically only one pup
• Lasts from 4-12 months
• Only otters to birth in water
• Peaks of birth Jan-March

LIFE CYCLE

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• Weigh 1.5-2.5 kg
• Nursed for 6-8 months
• Taught how to swim and hunt
• Maturity: Females age 4, Males 5-6
• Lifespan of 20-23 years

HABITAT

California coastline
San Mateo County
Santa Barbara County
Half Moon Bay
Morro Bay

100,000-400,000 hairs sq/cm
Up to a million hairs sq/in



No insulating fat
Humans only have 20,000 hairs on their heads

ENDANGERMEMT

The Russian American Company killed 100,000 sea otters in 1800's

During Maritime Fur Trade over 1,000,000 sea otters were killed

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"Keystone species"
Responsible for structure of ecosystem around
Helps kelp forests thrive
Kelp forests sequester carbon by 4.4-8.7 megatons
Only 3 to 6 million cars equal that amount of CO2

FUN FACTS
Sea otter milk is 25% fat
(Whole cow milk is only 4%)
Nicknamed "Old man of the sea"
Holds breath for up to 5 min
Dives 330 feet
Slowest swimming marine animal
Pouches under legs
Hide rocks and food in these

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