Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), also known as California sea otters, were listed as threatened in 1977 under the Endangered Species Act . Reduced range and population size, vulnerability to oil spills, and oil spill risk from coastal tanker traffic were the primary reasons for listing.
Why sea otter is endangered?
Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), also known as California sea otters, were listed as threatened in 1977 under the Endangered Species Act. Reduced range and population size, vulnerability to oil spills, and oil spill risk from coastal tanker traffic were the primary reasons for listing.
Are sea otters endangered 2021?
All sea otters are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and those in California and Southwest Alaska are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act . ... We’re proud to expand upon Friends of the Sea Otter’s legacy of protection, advocacy and restoration work.
How long have sea otters been endangered?
California’s southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977 . 35 years later and counting, their conservation status remains unchanged and their future remains uncertain.
What are the threats to sea otters?
Humans are the biggest threat to sea otter populations. Direct conflict with humans, through shootings, fishing gear entanglements and boat strikes, take a toll on sea otters, but oil spills, pollution, disease and loss of kelp pose major threats.
What animals eat sea otters?
What are the natural predators of sea otters? Great white sharks are the primary predator in California. Ongoing studies in Alaska recently revealed that orcas (killer whales) are eating more and more sea otters in that region, possibly because the usual prey (seals and sea lions) are in decline.
What once killed southern sea otters?
The single greatest threat to the sea otter is an oil spill . One large oil spill in central California could be catastrophic, with the potential of driving the entire southern sea otter population into extinction.
How many sea otter are left?
41 years later and counting, their conservation status remains unchanged and their future uncertain. Sea otter population growth has stalled in recent years and many hurdles for full population recovery remain. There are only about 3,000 southern sea otters left in the wild today.
What happens if there are no predators around to eat sea urchins?
With no predators around, sea urchin populations can multiply, forming herds that sweep across the ocean floor devouring entire stands of kelp and leaving “urchin barrens” in their place . ... The kelp can flourish, providing habitat for many ocean organisms.
What happens if sea otters go extinct?
Without sea otters, these grazing animals can destroy kelp forests and consequently the wide diversity of animals that depend upon kelp habitat for survival. Additionally, kelp forests protect coastlines from storm surge and absorb vast amounts of harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Why is sea otter a keystone species?
Sea otters are a “keystone species” which means that they can exert top-down pressure via predation on sea urchins , which are grazers upon kelp. As urchin density decreases from sea otter predation, so does the grazing pressure on kelp and as a result kelp forests flourish in the presence of sea otters.
What is a group of sea otters called?
Otters love to rest in groups. Researchers have seen concentrations of over 1,000 otters floating together. To keep from drifting away from each other, sea otters will wrap themselves up in seaweed, forming something that resembles a raft. A raft of otters resting in a group.
How many babies can a sea otter have?
Freshwater otters usually have litters of one to three young. River and giant otters may have as many as five young in a litter, and Asian small-clawed otters may have six. Sea otters normally have a single offspring . About 2% of all otter births are multiple, but only one pup can be successfully cared for.
Can a sea otter live on land?
Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land . ... While sea otters use their two webbed hind feet and tail to propel them through the water, the four webbed feet of river otters are what enable them to swim efficiently.
Do sea otters eat sea stars?
Sea otters eat many kinds of invertebrates , including sea urchins, abalone, clams, crabs, snails, sea stars, squid & octopuses.
