Sea Sea Otters: Otters: Adorable Adorable but but Threatened Threatened Sentinel Species at Risk Sentinel Species at Risk Due to Pollution and Due to Pollution and Over-fishing Over-fishing By Jim Fiddes By Jim Fiddes Danbury HS & PNWBOCES, Yorktown, NY Danbury HS & PNWBOCES, Yorktown, NY
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Sea Otters: Adorable but Threatened Sentinel Species at Risk Due to Pollution and Over-fishing Sentinel Species at Risk Due to Pollution and Over-fishing.
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Sea Otters: Sea Otters: Adorable but Adorable but ThreatenedThreatened
Sea Otters: Sea Otters: Adorable but Adorable but ThreatenedThreatened
Sentinel Species at RiskSentinel Species at Risk
Due to Pollution and Over-fishingDue to Pollution and Over-fishing
Sentinel Species at RiskSentinel Species at Risk
Due to Pollution and Over-fishingDue to Pollution and Over-fishing
By Jim Fiddes By Jim Fiddes Danbury HS & PNWBOCES, Yorktown, NYDanbury HS & PNWBOCES, Yorktown, NY
Threats to Sea Otter PopulationThreats to Sea Otter Population• Disease : EPM &
toxoplasmosis• Contaminants: in water
& in prey• Starvation: hi food need• Entanglement &
weight in food daily; 3x human• dense fur: ~100K/sq in;
grooming critical • semi-retractable claws; rear
outside toe is longest• lungs 2x : other mammals • whiskers locate prey, feel
vibrations
Sea Otter AnatomySea Otter Anatomy•Muscles for grasping & swimming; side to side on back, vertical•flexible spine, longer outer toe; hips hold legs for swimming, more than walking
Sea Otter Biology 2Sea Otter Biology 2• Body temp: 100 F. hold paws
& feet up to conserve heat • extremely flexible spine; can
reach all body to groom--• no blubber, oils & bubbles in
fur insulate• pouches near back feet to
store food• tool user: breaks shells with
rock, on sternum• can dive to 300’; 4 minutes
Sea Otter Biology 3Sea Otter Biology 3• Related to weasels & skunks• Social learning: mother
• California: 17 to 38 % foraging - 50 to 68 % resting
• Amchitka Island, AK: 51 to 58 % time foraging - 32 to 34% resting
• High infant mortality• Other, 3
We Can Fix This: Ways to HelpWe Can Fix This: Ways to Help• Monterey Bay Aq.’s
orphan otter recovery & rehab program
• Fewer feral cats!!• Public support &
contributions
“Sea Otters Threatened”--Annotated Works Cited“Sea Otters Threatened”--Annotated Works Citedhttp://www.the-scientist.com/yr2001/feb/research_010219.htmhttp://www.the-scientist.com/yr2001/feb/research_010219.htm
http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/1999/06/062499/seaotter_3930.asphttp://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/1999/06/062499/seaotter_3930.asp•One good illus.--short article links pop. decline to fishing nets
•Cute animation on otter problems w/links to Defenders of Wildlifehttp://www.discovery.com/stories/nature/otters/otters.htmlhttp://www.discovery.com/stories/nature/otters/otters.html•Good site w/live cams & recovery program profiles, sounds & videos
“Sea Otters Threatened”--Annotated Works Cited 2“Sea Otters Threatened”--Annotated Works Cited 2
www.otterproject.orgwww.otterproject.orgwww.otterproject.orgwww.otterproject.org•Colorful & interesting site, with good links to scientific studies, charts
•One good illus.--short article links pop. decline to fishing netshttp://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/researchhttp://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/researchhttp://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/researchhttp://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research
•Pdf article & some pix , plus good links, & scientists to callhttp://www.marinemammalcenter.org/http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/
•Links & articles on all marine mammals; colorful, easy, searchableresponse.restoration.noaa.gov/ bat/imagesresponse.restoration.noaa.gov/ bat/images
•Extensive database & analysis of Exxon Valdez oil spill; lots of links, images, charts & graphs; NOAA site is great resource itself!
1.1. Name & describe at least three things making sea otters sick.
2.2. List & describe two ways sea otters keep warm.
33. Describe at least two other adaptations of the sea otter that enable it to live successfully in the ocean.
4.4. What is the sea otter’s role in the ecology of the kelp forest?
5.5. Three reasons people should concern themselves with the sea otter. (one hint: define “sentinel speciessentinel species”)
1. Cat feces & litter, possum feces, oil, insecticides, pollutants in food & water
2. Air bubbles in fur, fur density, high metabolism & lots of food
3. Grasping front claws, 2x lungs, spine & rear feet adapted for swimming, frequent naps, wraps in kelp…etc
4. Predator, control urchins to preserve kelp
5. Sentinel species-”canaries”; preserve important ecosystem; bring in lots of cash...
No Peeking, Now!!No Peeking, Now!!No Peeking, Now!!No Peeking, Now!!
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