ZooBlog

Precious Moments in Zoos and Aquariums

California sea otters

Enhydra lutris
Class: Mammalia
Habitat: Shallow coastal areas and kelp beds of the Pacific Ocean from northern to Baja California
Length: 4-5 ft
Weight: 45-65 lb
Gestation: 4-6 months, 1 pup
Diet: Up to 50 types of invertebrates (Photo © Matt L.)

Paw for this!
Sea otters have back flippers and front paws. They use their paws for many things, including catching and holding food. They use their rear flippers to swim and dive down to gather food on the ocean bottom, returning to the surface with full paws and an extra stash under each arm.

Dining on the Water
Sea otters never need to leave the water. They stay close to shore and even eat in the ocean, floating on their backs, and using rocks to smash open stubborn shellfish.

The Well-Groomed Otter
Using their paws, sea otters pull on their loose skin to reach and groom the fur on their backs. Otters groom constantly, rubbing their fur to clean it and blowing air into their pelts to keep them water resistant.

Warming Up
Sea otters have the densest fur of any animal which helps them keep warm even in the water. Another way sea otters warm up is to rest with their paws and flippers out of the water. These limbs have little fur, so they absorb the sun's heat and help regulate body temperature.

Safety in Numbers
Sea otters face threats from a number of predators, including killer whales, bald eagles, sea lions, and white sharks. For safety, they gather in groups and also float together as a "raft".

From the Wildlife Conservation Society:
"In the late 1800's, sea otters were hunted almost to extinction for their valuable fur. WCS's Dr. W. T. Hornaday championed the Alaskan Fur Seal Act of 1898, which also granted protection to sea otters."

Animal Info
California sea otters can be seen at the New York Aquarium.

Northern river otters

Lontra canadensis
Class: Mammalia
Habitat: Inland waterways throughout North America
Length: 3.5-4 ft
Weight: 30 lb
Gestation: 60 days, 1 pup
Diet: Fish, insect and frogs
Photo © Matt L.

Life in the Rivers
Northern river otters can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats including inland waterways, rivers, lakes, marshes, and even marine coastal shorelines. Though, they are distinct from sea otters in several ways and they can be easily recognized.

Playful Otters
Northern river otters have streamlined bodies and they are powerful swimmers. They are capable to stay underwater for up to eight minutes but they are also agile on land. They also exhibit playful behaviors like mud and snow sliding, diving in to the water. Unlike marine otters, river otters take their prey back to shore.

Life in Zoos and Aquariums
Since river otters are playful animals, they become popular in captivity. However, these animals may become aggressive at times and this happens especially to maturing males.

Animal Info
Northern river otters can be seen at the Prospect Park Zoo.