Presently, they're considered to be an endangered group of animals, as indicated by the 2011 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species' report. They use their flat, webbed hind feet to swim and have been known to swim up to 5mph. explains why and how the sea otter is endangered. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal living near the shores of the North Pacific, from northern Japan, the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka east across the Aleutian Islands and along the North American coast to Mexico.It has the thickest fur in the animal kingdom. In some areas, usually where there are few predators, sea otters will rest on land, but they spend most of their time at the water’s surface floating on their backs. Why Are Sea Otters Endangered? This can be blamed on human activity, as most animal species' endangerments can. They are regarded as an endangered species by international regulations, and without additional protection, they may become extinct in the near future. Reduced range and population size, vulnerability to oil spills, and oil spill risk from coastal tanker traffic were the primary reasons for listing. OCEANWALKERS Sea Otters live in coastal waters & estuaries. Our team is also otter-ly passionate about keeping our seas safe for sea otters. Sea otters, an endangered keystone species, are at risk due to offshore oil and gas drilling spills. 2. California’s southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. Besides, why the sea otter is endangered? If the otter is caught at a young age, it is easy to tame and teach to fish and bring it to the owner. THe endangered sea otter. Another endangered sea otter species is known as the european otter, also known as eurasian river otter, common otter, and old world otter. Overall, southern sea otters have only recolonized about 13 percent of their historic range, according to the study. When these otters were found wheezing and struggling with seizures on beaches in Homer, Alaska, researchers were surprised. In 1741, Russian explorers discovered sea otters along the Russian and Japanese coast. European otter. Like other mustelids, sea otters are small animals that have short legs, short round ears, and thick fur. – Baak Turn Animals. Over time, the population of the sea otters has decreased and sea otters are now an endangered species. Sea Otters – a Keystone Species. California’s southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. Sea otters eat sea urchins. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROFILE. Without the sea otter, fishermen began to see changes in the ecosystem. Click to see full answer. (Photo: Mark Boster/'Los Angeles Times' via Getty Images) Grow a garden. But otters are protected only legally, and in fact hunting for them continues to this day. Sea otters, for instance, must eat around 25-30% of their body weight in sea urchins, clams, and crabs daily in order to maintain their high metabolic rate. Sea Otter Holding Newborn Pup – Photo by Milo Burcham. The snow leopard is likewise "endangered", yet is being hit from maximum of distinctive angles, that it extremely is in very actual threat of being lost. When diving, their nostrils and ears close and their RELATED ISSUES Oceans Golden State Biodiversity Initiative The Endangered Species Act. Most everyone is already “aware” of sea otters and the extreme levels of cuteness they bring to our estuaries and, let’s be honest, the internet.It seems not a day goes by that someone somewhere doesn’t share an adorable gif and a “you otter know”-type pun—especially on the Ocean Conservancy team. This species of sea otter can grow and reach the number of 95 cm in length for its body and 35 cm in length for its tail. Endangered Sea Otters Have a New Problem: Overpopulation. Sea Otter Facts. Sea otters share common ancestry with a family called Mustelidae, a diverse group of organisms that include 12 other otter species and small terrestrial animals such as weasels and badgers. Sea Otters, regardless of large efforts, are nonetheless suffering and are at the instant listed as "endangered" using inhabitants declines. And today, I would like to share you with about some threats to sea otter that is threatening this small marine mammal. Sea otters became endangered marine animals in 1972. NATURAL HISTORY. Hughes said one of the reasons otter habitat has remained fragmented and why sea otters have not been able to migrate north and reestablish residency in San Francisco Bay is the presence of great white sharks near the Golden Gate. They live along the rim of the North Pacific from Japan across the Antarctic and down to California. this endangered species has been reintroduced and now numbers around 900. It was killed by fishermen who thought the otters were eating too many of the fish they wanted to catch. Sea otters are the exception, giving birth in the water. explains why and how the sea otter is endangered Essay by lastminutechic88 , High School, 10th grade , A , October 2004 download word file , 2 pages download word file , 2 pages 4.0 2 votes Along the west coast of the U.S., this marine mammal’s habitat is commonly near offshore drilling sites, specifically in California and Alaska. This report explains why these three sub-species and sea otters as a whole have depleted in number in the past, and what it is that's causing them to still be in danger today. Sea otters face ongoing threats related to commercial fishing, offshore oil drilling and climate change, and are listed as an endangered species by … Currently the southern sea otter population is estimated at just above 3,000 animals. Sea otter pups are born in water and float like corks, but they cannot swim for several weeks. In the 1700-1800s on the coast of California, the sea otter was hunted for its gorgeous pelt. Sea otters live in shallow coastal waters in the northern Pacific Ocean. The sea otters are categorized among the endangered species because they are extensively hunted for their valuable and unique fur which has led to great reduction of their population. Sadly, sea otters nowadays are being hunted for their fur. By 1911, less than two thousand Sea Otters remained in the world. Baby otters, called pups or kittens, stay with their mothers until they’re up to a year old, or until she has another litter. Sea otters play a vital role in the health and stability of the nearshore marine ecosystem as a keystone species (Enhydra lutris) Sea otter facts in Animal Marine animal Sea otter published on 04:28 leave a reply The Sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. 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