Their prey provides most of their water but they also drink seawater when thirsty. They choose rocky shores where powerful winds blow. 15. As predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of the near-shore kelp ecosystems. The increase in shark bite mortality now appears to be impacting population growth and expansion at the peripheries of the range, areas of the population that typically fuel the colonization of new habitats. Sea otters are born swimmers with long, sleek, streamlined bodies with webbed feet. Some of the biotic factors include its predators and prey. Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. The other small part of their lives live on the ocean floor to hunt and gather food. Sea Otter's Natural Habitat. Sea Otters: A Kids Picture Book about Sea Otters ~ Fun Facts For Kids About Sea Otters Habitat and Ecology (Amazing Nature) (English Edition) eBook: Wilder, Catherine: Amazon.de: Kindle-Shop However, large numbers of sea otters can deplete shellfish populations, conflicting with fisheries for crabs, clams, and abalones. These aquatic members of the weasel family are often seen floating on their backs. The Lower Otter Restoration Project will create 55 hectares of mudflats and other habitats. It is estimated that these animals spend from 24 to 60 per cent of the day foraging. See the fact file below for more information on the sea otters or alternatively, you can download our 25-page Sea Otter worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. Shark-bitten sea otters now account for more than half of all stranded sea otters recovered in California, exceeding all other causes of sea otter mortality combined. Habitat and Range. Sea otters are now getting attacked by sharks. “Sea otters live in communities with many other species including sea urchins, orcas, starfish, and many types of fish. Surface eaters, sea otters use their powerful forepaws and jaw muscles to crush prey. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. Sea otters are shallow coastal water dwellers, as it is easier to adapt to. They can dive up to 300 ft and remain underwater for up to five minutes to hunt for food. When SSWD struck the region during the winter of 2015, it suddenly brought a new dimension to the research: a rare opportunity to also look at how predatory sea stars influence coastal rocky reef ecosystems. Sea urchins and abalones for example, are not always in reach of sea otters. The food of the otter is also a part of its job. Animal InfoBooks Animal InfoBooks. They also eat crabs, squid, and octopus. Without sea otters, the undersea animals they prey on would devour the kelp forests off the coast that provide cover and food for many other marine animals. The sea otter is an important part of both of these habitats — It’s a keystone species, which means that the health of sea otters is a good indication of the health of other species and ecosystems nearby. Otters live in two main places: the ocean floor to get food, and the surface to rest, eat, and groom themselves. There are areas with and without sea otters where researchers can compare the differences in kelp abundance, urchin populations and other aspects of undersea habitat. A sea otter diving and foraging for food or wrapping up in kelp may come into contact with fishing line, hooks, or lures that were lost by fishers, particularly those fishing from shore. Sea otters have no blubber so they constantly groom themselves to maintain the insulating & water repellant properties of their fur. A 2014 study found that sea otters along the southern California coast were almost 10 times more likely to be located within kelp habitat than outside, while outside kelp beds sea otter numbers declined with distance from the edge of kelp canopies. Lack of attention. Click here for a library of otter resources. Occurrences seem to be most common near piers and jetties, which offer both fishing opportunities for people and foraging habitat for sea otters. These data, along with personal observations of sea otter behavior, supports the notion that digging activity by sea otters has the capacity to quickly reduce the upper extent of eelgrass habitat. Niche: The sea otter eats and preys on other small sea animals in its habitat. When sea otters are underwater foraging for food, they make use of the loose skin under their armpits, using the area like pockets to store food as they continue their search. Here they eat, reproduce, rest, or do any other social interactions. In the Monterey Bay, the sea otter lives in kelp forest and estuary habitats. Sea otter habitat November 27, 2017 November 27, 2017 admintag Unlike fellow sea otters inhabit in the sea and next to it. Habitat: Sea otters live along the coasts and stay in shallow bodies of water. Many people may see that sea otter is just a small animal and it even can breed twice a year which means it is not so important to protect this species. Sea Otters Could Get New Home in San Francisco Bay. Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) Take a deep dive and learn all about otters - from what they like to eat to how they care for their young. Shark-bitten sea otters now account for more than half of the dead animals found. Animals and Nature › Otters › Sea otter › Hind feet. Shark attacks are now what cause the a mortality level higher than all other factors combined. 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