Breeding Strats: Sea Otters
What do male sea otters often have to maintain during breeding season to secure access to females?
What is a territory or breeding territory
This term describes when males gather on a beach and defend small areas of land to attract females.
What is territorial breeding (or defending a territory)?
In the early 1900s, Sea otters were hunted nearly to extinction primarily for what reason?
What is their dense fur
This type of trash, including old fishing nets and plastic bags, can entangle pinnipeds and cause injury or death.
What is marine plastic pollution (or marine debris)
“Pinniped” is the group name for seals, sea lions, and walruses. The word “pinniped” literally means what?
What is “fin-footed”
Sea otters are known for having strong pair bonds– but how long do these pair bonds typically last?
What is only a few days to a week
Some pinnipeds delay the development of the embryo so pups are born at the best time of year. What is this reproductive strategy called?
What is delayed implantation?
Declines in sea otter populations can trigger a “trophic cascade” affecting entire ecosystems. Which key prey species often explodes in number when otters disappear?
What are sea urchins?
Many pinnipeds are at risk when they accidentally get caught on hooks or in nets meant for fish. What is this called?
What is bycatch
Thanks to international protection agreements like the 1911 Fur Seal Treaty, Sea Otters began to recover. Which U.S law later helped protect them further?
What is the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
Female sea otters heavily invest in raising their young. How long do they typically nurse a single pup before they become independent?
What is about 6-8 months
Many seal and sea lion species return to the same site every year to breed. This behavior is called what?
What is site fidelity (or philopatry)?
Some sea otter populations, such as those in California, have struggled to fully recover. Name one major conservation challenge limiting their range expansion.
What is shark predation or habitat limitation along the coast?
Chemicals that build up through the food chain, becoming more concentrated in top predators like seals, are described by this process.
What is bioaccumulation (or biomagnification)
Some pinnipeds can slow their heart rate while diving to conserve oxygen. What is this special diving adaptation called?
What is bradycardia (a diving reflex)