Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T7750A21939518. Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. Why Sea Otters are Endangered, and How You Can Help Sea otters are the smallest species of marine mammal, and one of the most vulnerable endangered species in North America. Sea otters play a significant role in their local environments, and a much greater ecosystem role th… Are Mice Blind? "The sea otter is the canary in the coal mine for the coastal ecosystem," says Monterey's Murray. They eat many of the same types of shellfish that humans like to eat, such as sea urchins, lobsters and crabs. Marine otters live on the west coast of South America. Unfortunately, their fur also nearly led to this species demise. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4m in length. Sea Otters – a Keystone Species. Besides, during 70s and 80s, a lot of California sea otters were drowned due to their entanglement in fishing gear like trammel and gill nets. The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammal species, but it is the heaviest mustelid. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are an easily recognized and beloved marine mammal.They have furry bodies, whiskered faces, and a propensity to lay on their backs and float on the water, a behavior that humans perceive as evidence of fun-loving. Male sea otters usually weigh 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb) and are 1.2 to 1.5 m (3 ft 11 in to 4 ft 11 in) in length, though specimens up to 54 kg (119 lb) have been recorded. September 14 was a rare sunny day at Khalaktyrskiy Beach. It is unknown how many marine otters exist in the wild or what habitats should be preserved to encourage their recovery. This is why conservation efforts are in place to help them continue to survive. The U.S. The … “Conservation success for otters on the brink”. Females are smaller, weighing 14 to 33 kg (31 to 73 lb) and measuring 1.0 to 1.4 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 7 in) in length. As a result the numbers of them are quite low. In addition, the populations of seals and sea lions and underwater ‘forests’ of kelp are disappearing. The trade of sea otters was continued until the animals were virtually wiped out. and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. Today the species is protected under the Endangered Species Act & Marine Mammal Protection Act. How Does the 25th Amendment Work — and When Should It Be Enacted? 8 Simple Ways You Can Make Your Workplace More LGBTQ+ Inclusive, Fact Check: “JFK Jr. Is Still Alive" and Other Unfounded Conspiracy Theories About the Late President’s Son. Now only single animals are recorded off Japan and the Asian population is declining. Otters today are faced with habitat loss and food scarcity, apart from killing due to their thick coat. Sea Otters :: MarineBio Video Library Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) The marine otter has short legs and webbed feet. – Malayan Tiger Diet & Eating Habits, What Do Sumatran Tigers Eat? University of Exeter. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. The Sea Otter was hunted to near extinction in the 19th century. The trade was banned in 1910, with signing of the treaty between America, Japan, Russia and Great Britain. Reduced range and population size, vulnerability to oil spills, and oil spill risk from coastal tanker traffic were the primary reasons for listing. – Tiger Running Speed, How Long Do White Tigers Live? The latter threat to these animals dates back to the 19th century when they were hunted to near extinction for their fur. It has a long body, a flat head and small ears. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. IUCN red list of threatened species provides a global status for all marine species, including marine mammals. The Exxon Valdez oil spill of 24 March 1989 killed thousands of sea otters and the lingering oil in the area continues to affect the population. Why Are Sea Otters Endangered? The female gives birth to two to five pups after a gestation period of 60 to 120 days. November 27, 2017 admintag People chased sea otters because of fur and skin. Why did the marine otter become endangered? Otters Endangered. However, the sea otter population has been slow to recover. These forests are one of the most dynamic and richest marine ecosystems in the world, possessing high density of biomass and greater productivity. These include: the Eastern Stock of the Steller sea lion, Guadalupe fur seals, and the California sea otters. The main reason sea otters are endangered is because of humans. The Marine Mammal Protection Act states that marine mammal stocks “should not be permitted to diminish … In every square inch of its fur, there are around 850,000 to one million hairs. The Sea Otter was hunted to near extinction in the 19th century. The Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is the largest otter in Southeast Asia, and is named after its velvety smooth coat. This finding raises the question: are these endangered marine mammals most vulnerable to infection by Type X, like sea otters, or are they succumbing to a different strain of T. gondii? If the otter is caught at a young age, it is easy to tame and teach to fish and bring it to the owner. Unlike most marine mammals that rely on a thick layer of blubber to insulate them from cold ocean waters, marine otters rely on their extremely thick fur. – White Tiger Lifespan, Where Do White Tigers Come From? Currently the southern sea otter population is estimated at just above 3,000 animals. 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