Humans are the biggest predator of the Otter. Due to the large size of the sea otters, there are few natural predator enemies. Another factor to consider is the local reaction to reestablishing sea otters. Sea otters are generalist predators that consume over 200 species across a spectrum of rocky and soft substrates. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and … This type of relationship between a predator (sea otter), herbivore (urchin), and plant (kelp) is known as a trophic cascade. How otters are dealing with round gobies on the Elbe. First it was arrows and homemade weapons. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. As is known, their diet includes more than 40 different species of marine animals. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae , a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft). Of course Otters aren't the most powerful animals out there which is why they often find safety in numbers. Unfortunately, at the limit of their range, sea … By controlling sea urchin populations, sea otters promote giant kelp growth, as that species is a favorite of sea urchin grazers. With few otters, the urchin population is out of control in the Aleutian Islands. The future for Otters though is really going to depend on the balance when it comes to the predators they have. The delicate balance of the food chain out there is important because, as I explained in my examples, when one predator can’t get its normal food sources it will turn to others. Oftedal, K. Ralls, M. Staedler, M.L. Sea otters are voracious predators of large invertebrates such as urchins, crabs, and clams. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. During the past 15–20 years, sea otters Enhydra lutris in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA, experienced a drastic decrease in population size. The step-by-step process of ascertaining that the sea otter was responsible for the thriving ecosystem provides a strong example … They are found throughout most of North America – from the Rio Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska. They are fish. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter. There are several other predators that the Otter has to worry about as well. Its prey ranges in size from tiny limpets and crabs to giant octopuses. Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem by Patricia Newman is a non fiction book for children and adults. Without otters to keep them in check, urchins and their compatriots grew in size and abundance. Sea otters are voracious predators of large invertebrates such as urchins, crabs, and clams. Otters are wonderfully skilled predators, who display a number of interesting behaviors and traits. The sea otters have a flexible skeleton and their face is small and round. January 16, 2014 Bay Area, Media Coverage overexploitation, predator, puma, sea otter, wolf. There are several other predators that the Otter has to worry about as well. Those sea otters that live farther south, mostly hunt for a great white shark, and representatives of those sea otters that inhabit the more northern areas of the Pacific, hunt for killer whales. If sea otters are not present, then the kelp forests would be overrun with sea urchins, which predate on kelp and don’t have many natural predators other than sea otters. Then in 1914 a remnant population of … Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm, and can close their ears and … They have even managed to colonize cities such as Los Angeles and are found in most parts of North America. The body is dense, cylindrical, oblong, and the paws are short and strong. Clathromorphum produces a limestone skeleton that … While sea otters are vulnerable to natural predators, their populations are also significantly affected by several human factors, Such as those mentioned below. Sea otters are the primary natural predators of sea urchins. In the U.S., there are two distinct sea otter subspecies, the Northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) and the Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis). Tinker, D.H. Monson, O.T. "So, in this case, the sea otter stood out." It is known that the sea otter has one of the thickest, warmest fur apparel in the animal kingdom, which helps maintain heat in the cold waters of the northern Pacific Ocean. This makes them a prime target for predators that they simply can’t win against. … Current Conservation Efforts. Coyotes belong to the dog family, and once lived mainly in deserts and prairies. Sea otters are generalist predators that consume over 200 species across a spectrum of rocky and soft substrates. By the year 1840, almost all of the California sea otters were exterminated. In this manner, sea otters are keystone predators in the kelp forests where they live. While on land, pups may also face threats from predators such as bears and coyotes. In the Arctic, killer whales often dine on sea otters, while in the Californian coast, great white sharks consume many otters each year. There are several species of goby in European rivers, in the Elbe near Ústí nad Labem, there lives a specific one creating a specific problem. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. 1 . Eagles can be a problem too for the smaller Otters and the young. and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. 05.01.2021 Ústí nad Labem: Otters, though rarely seen are a well-known predator in our waters. Sea otters, the "keystone predator" of Aleutian kelp forests, experienced dramatic population declines in the 1990's. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. River otter species hunt and travel in the water, but … Whilst it has aggressively spread through … Sea Otters Are Keystone Predators. Estes. Members of the fishing industry, for example, might be leery of these voracious predators. In addition, the risk of oil spills remains an ongoing concern. Sea otters are provided a varied diet while in human care. Oil spills from offshore drilling or shipping are a huge threat to sea otter populations. Without the sea otters keeping the urchin population controlled, they have begun to ground down the kelp forests. The stipes and fronds of a kelp forest create a three-dimensional lattice that benefits everything from invertebrates like snails and anemones to marine mammals like seals and whales — providing food, hiding places and shelter. The otter, in turn, is an important source of nutrition for many predators higher up the food chain. These cute sea creatures are highly specialized predators with many interesting behaviors. Register; Log in; Keontrye Hsieh. Common predators of sea otters include various predatory marine mammals such as orcas and sea lions. Credit Courtesy of J. Tomoleoni / U.S. Geological Survey. The scientist expected this estuary to be overrun … Search for: Archives. Thanks to that nosedive in sea otter populations, it's easy to see that these fuzzy marine goofballs are actually extremely important to the ecology of the North Pacific seashore. Those sea otters that live farther south, mostly hunt for a great white shark, and representatives of those sea otters that inhabit the more northern areas of the Pacific, hunt for killer whales. They have a very high metabolism, so they need to … The red alga … Eagles can be a problem too for the smaller Otters and the young. Without sea otters, sea urchins can overpopulate the sea floor and devour the kelp forests that provide cover and food for many other marine animals. Some of the species have been hunted until their numbers were drastically low. Sea urchin populations increased dramatically. What wasn’t apparent from the surface as we cruised through the corridor of sea otter carnage in Shakan Bay was what effect the foraging activity had on the soft seafloor below, … When sea otters were reintroduced to Elkhorn Slough, they started eating the crabs that eat the sea hares. Also the enemy is a man. They then used their biomass data alongside invertebrate catch data from 1983 to 2008 from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to assess economic gains and losses that would occur when sea otters were present and absent in the habitat based on four different … Thanks to that nosedive in sea otter populations, it's easy to see that these fuzzy marine goofballs are actually extremely important to the ecology of the North Pacific seashore. June 2015 ; Meta. On land they have to be careful about coyotes. sharks and humans are the river otters predatorsAn otter's predators are sharks, humans and bald eagles. The international group of scientists warns that declines in these key species have broad, and often … Apex predators often initiate forces that cascade across successively lower trophic levels, sometimes reaching the base of the food web ().Plant-herbivore interactions vary predictably with trophic complexity in such systems, being weak or strong when the number of trophic levels is odd or even, respectively ().Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and kelp forests provide a well-known example of this pattern ().After … What are the sea otter's predators? While sea otters are vulnerable to natural predators such as sharks, the population also faces risks from other factors such as disease, contaminants, availability of prey, and entanglement in commercial fishing gear. North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. This meant the sea hares could get back to work cleaning the eelgrass of excessive algae, enabling the eelgrass to grow again. Otters may look like cuddly creatures but they can also be very defensive when they feel that they are their offspring are in danger. Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem: Amazon.de: Newman, Patricia: Fremdsprachige Bücher Wählen Sie Ihre Cookie-Einstellungen Wir verwenden Cookies und ähnliche Tools, um Ihr Einkaufserlebnis zu verbessern, um unsere Dienste anzubieten, um zu verstehen, wie die Kunden unsere Dienste nutzen, damit wir Verbesserungen vornehmen können, und um Werbung anzuzeigen. The predators that Otters will encounter depend on where they happen to live. In British Columbia and much of the northeast … The sea otter is possibly more interesting than it is adorable! Where prey such as sea urchins, clams, and abalone are present in a range of sizes, sea otters tend to select larger items over smaller ones of similar type. Their measurements vary depending on the sex. Wally, a rescued and rehabilitated sea otter, enjoys a meal of red sea urchin and Dungeness crab. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. The Basics. Newsome, S.D., M.T. Within these forests, sea otters prey on sea urchins, which graze heavily on kelp. Sea Otters Could Get New Home in San Francisco Bay. By maintaining healthy kelp forests, sea otters also indirectly help to reduce levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a … Diet. Therefore they will trap them and kill them so they can’t consume the fish. Otter Natural Predators. Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem (English Edition) eBook: Patricia Newman: Amazon.de: Kindle-Shop Like their smaller relatives, river otters, the sea otter can walk and live on land, but it happens that sea otters often spend their lives exclusively in the water. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. The predators that Otters will encounter depend on where they happen to live. CGTN Share . Other predators include sea lions in certain areas, as well as eagles, which eat otter pups. Coverage in the Sentinel about our carnivore paper in Science today. The sea otter mainly hunts in the water on sea urchins, mollusks, crabs, snails and small fish. Otters may look like cuddly creatures but they can also be very defensive when they feel that they are their offspring are in danger. Without Sea Otters Kelp Forests Are Consumed By Urchins (credit: Mike Kenner) The Sea Otter's Big … Sea otters are furry, playful mammals known for holding hands with one another. Then guns and traps emerged during the height of the slaughter of them. 0 0. They live in riparian zones, which are the areas that border stream, … The young otters are hunted by sharks, predatory seabirds and animals. Sea otters are foragers that eat mostly hard-shelled invertebrates, including sea urchins and a variety of clams, mussels, and crabs. Without the urchins’ natural predator to keep them in check, urchins have transformed the seascape – first by mowing down the dense kelp forests, and now by turning their attention to the coralline algae that form the reef. Current effects center on monitoring the status, trends, distribution, and causes … This inc… They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits. If sea otters are not present, then urchin populations boom, which leads to overgrazing — killing all the kelp — and creating a wasteland known as an urchin barren . The sea otter’s predator depends on where the specific sea otter lives. Adult males weight between 22 and 45 kilograms and measure from 1.2 to 1.5 meters.On the other hand the adult females usually weigh between 14 and 33 kilograms, and their length varies from 1 to 1.4 meters.. Prey choice and habitat use drive sea otter pathogen exposure in a resource-limited coastal system. Bobcats have become more of a problem too due to the increased numbers of them in the wild. Otters show how predators can blunt climate damage As sea otters declined (for reasons scientists are still trying to understand), their favourite prey—sea urchins—exploded in number On land, coyotes and bobcats also predate on otters. In most of its range, the sea otter's diet consists almost exclusively of marine benthic invertebrates, including sea urchins, fat innkeeper worms, a variety of bivalves such as clams and mussels, abalone, other mollusks, crustaceans, and snails. Without them some type of predators would end up not having enough food. After the urchins’ prime predator, the Aleutian sea otter became nearly extinct in the 1990s. This rippling effect has a profound effect on the future for the Otter and many other animals. In California, … Sea lions are a problem in some areas as well. Sea otters, the “keystone predator" of Aleutian Islands’ kelp forests, experienced dramatic population declines in the 1990s. Otters that live near swamps may become food for alligators and crocodiles. Commercial fishermen don’t like their daily catch to be reduced due to the Otters. Sea otters are omnivorous, as they feed on algae and other aquatic plants. Earlier studies of sea otter food suggested that low—density populations of sea otters consume primarily sea urchins and mollusks in the western Aleutian Islands. in a “marine” environment), but they are the only otter that spends most of its time in the water. One of the problems though is that as the other foods sources for sharks and whales continue to be depleted, they are going to eat what is readily available. As others have written, killer whales and sharks are the biggest threat to sea otters of all sizes if they are in the ocean. Main predators: Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators. Sea otters aren’t the only otter that can be found in the sea (i.e. For starters, their populations make for healthy kelp forests — the dense underwater jungles of tall algal strands that make coastal marine ecosystems in the North Pacific what they are. Since Otters aren’t used for meat, there is no reason that humans must kill them to survive. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. In the water they need to watch out for both sharks and killer whales. "They are not only keystone marine mammals of the outer coast, they are also important apex predators in estuarine habitats." 0 0. Now, scientists have observed that the coralline algae that form the reef is disappearing as well. The southern sea otter was widely believed to be extinct due to the expansive fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries, which reduced the global population from between 150,000 and 300,000 to roughly 2,000. The sea otter plays an important role in the marine ecosystem by keeping the kelp forests from being overwhelmed by urchins and other prey. Over time, this led to both the loss of the kelp forests, and to the exploitation of these same tasty invertebrates by human predators. It is also important to understand that otters have a healthy role in the overall ecosystems out there. Since they must sleep at the surface, they often wrap themselves in giant kelp to keep from floating away. Shellfish-munching sea otters have been the bane of fishermen's existence ever since they were reintroduced to Canada's west coast in the 1970s, but a new study indicates they bring more economic benefits than losses. evaluate the recovery of an apex predator—sea otters in the Canadian Pacific coast—and report that certain economies have been either negatively or positively affected by sea otter restoration, but the overall economic outcomes are positive. They are not at the top of the food web, however, and are eaten by orcas, great white sharks and other large predators. Main Characteristics Of The Sea Otters Anatomy. 2008. In turn, these grazers provide food for predators, such as sea otters and certain species of sea stars like the sunflower star. Sea lions are a problem in some areas as well. However, the number of them being killed isn’t nearly the same volume as what takes place in Alaska. The range of marine otters’ habitat is expanding due to the lack of food in its current range. But his research at Elkhorn Slough, an estuary on Monterey Bay in northern California, revealed a new and surprising connection between the two. The sea otter ecosystem is largely made up of thick kelp forests. Some hunt Otters for the thrill of the kill. The younger sea otters can also be attacked on the water surface by bald eagles. Source: otter-world.com. They prey on crustaceans by using pairs of rocks to crush the outer shells, easily accessing the soft flesh inside. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. USGS. Sea Otters Are Keystone Predators. Sea otters were reintroduced to Vancouver Island from a remnant Alaskan … In coastal areas where sea otters regularly consume sea urchins, kelp forests have a greater chance to take hold and endure, and act as an undersea forest habitat for other marine animals. In the wake of this event, herbivorous sea … Humans are one of the main enemies of sea otters, as on they are hunted mainly for their incredibly dense fur. Humans are the biggest predator of the Otter. 2009. Instances of North American river otters eating small mammals, such … Despite this, most of the representatives of sea otters are mostly carnivorous. However, the animals prove a low threat, unlike humans. Eagles may also grab young otters if given the opportunity. By the same token Otters may be going further out into the water to find their own foods. Source: otter-world.com. The complexity of trophic cascades can vary extensively from place to place, but this basic pattern is the foundation for understanding how sea otters fit into a healthy coastal environment. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The most common fish consumed are perch, suckers, and catfish. The main enemies of sea otters are killer whales (killer whales). Some of them are on land while others will try to feed on them in the water. admintag. read more. Fogel, and J.A. Without otters to keep them in check, urchins and their compatriots grew in size and abundance. Sea otters spend all of their time in the ocean, including sleeping. Due to the large size of the sea otters, there are few natural predator enemies. Despite perils such as oil spills and high-speed ferries, the bay has plenty of safe spots for this charismatic threatened species read more. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. Humans have changed the ways in which the hunt Otters over the years. I recently found out that sea otters fall asleep holding paws and my heart has never been so full. Sea otters consume over 100 prey species. Humans can control their desires to remove them for their own personal satisfaction. That means there is predicted to be more plants and animals (by mass) in the habitat with sea otters present as active predators. If sea otters are not present, then the kelp forests would be overrun with sea urchins, which predate on kelp and don’t have many natural predators other than sea otters. Diet analysis suggests that butter clams are their preferred prey in Southeast Alaska (La Roche 2020). They are known to eat clams, mussels, crabs, octopus, sea urchins, snails, and fat innkeeper worms. ... That analysis could reveal whether it was an apex predator or a predator somewhere in the middle of the food web, Tseng said. Sea otters dive to rocky reefs, where they collect invertebrates and also a large rock. Marine biologist Brent Hughes didn't think sea otters and sea grass had much in common. Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) Sea otters will eat virtually anything they can get their little paws on. Sea otters are predators, and are keystone species for kelp forests, which are the habitat for many rare aquatic creatures. It’s often referred to as a “keystone species.” Whenever it’s reintroduced into a habitat, the health of the … It has been hypothesized that an increase in killer whale Orcinus orca predation was the primary cause of this decline.. 2 . Diet analysis suggests that butter clams are their preferred prey in Southeast Alaska (La Roche 2020). Northern sea otters are found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, … The only predator that they have to worry about is the killer whale. Bringing Back Sea Otters Benefits People, Too These predators compete with fisheries for shellfish along the Pacific coast, but an economic analysis explains the positives of reintroduction. Sea otters, the "keystone predator" of Aleutian kelp forests, experienced dramatic population declines in the 1990's. Recent reports of sea otter sightings have also occurred in Mexico. Humans also kill sea otters when they use fishing gear that traps the otter or hit the otter with boats. Humans do not usually eat sea otters and generally kill them by accident. Using the tools of scientific research, Hughes has discovered that sea otters, the top predators in the food chain, help keep the sea grass algae-free through their feeding habits, which in turn allows the growth of a fish population and preserves a natural barrier to storms. Sharks attacks. The trade was banned in 1910, with signing of the treaty between America, Japan, Russia and Great Britain. He would go on to realize that sea otters are a keystone predator that increases the abundance of a diverse array of sea life. Predators, Disease, and Environmental Change in the Nearshore Ecosystem: Mortality in Southern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) From 1998–2012 . The study authors estimate the dollar profit from having the sea otters is seven times greater than the losses to the shellfish industry. Some of them are on land while others will try to feed on them in the water. Approximately 40,000 of them are consumed annually in this area. Large apex predators occur in virtually all ecosystems, or once did. Remnant population . read more. Over time, this led to both the loss of the kelp forests, and to the exploitation of these same tasty invertebrates by human predators. The sea otter is a small marine mammal that lives on the north and east coast of the Pacific Ocean. Bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and other large predators will sometimes prey on North American river otters. In California thousands of them are consumed annually by White Sharks. In Monterey Bay, specifically, the sea otter is important for kelp forest and estuary ecosystems. Sea urchins exploded in number after their predator, the Aleutian sea otter, became functionally extinct in the 1990s. Alaska's Sea-Otter Decline Affects Health of Kelp Forests and Diet of Eagles. Today, they roam the American continent’s mountains and forests. Oil Spills. Of course Otters aren’t the most powerful animals out there which is why they often find safety in numbers. Where sea otters are absent and sea urchins have eliminated this plant association, some higher trophic forms also are absent or less abundant than where sea otters are common and the plant association is well developed. The trade of sea otters was continued until the animals were virtually wiped out. How sea otters impact the sea urchin populations . The sea otter isn’t just cute — it keeps local ocean ecosystems healthy. Round goby is a non-native, invasive fish. Sea otters are predators, and are keystone species for kelp forests, which are the habitat for many rare aquatic creatures. With few otters, the urchin population is out of control in the Aleutian Islands, starting west of Samalga Pass and the Islands of Four Mountains. Best Answers. On page 1243 of this issue, Gregr et al. The future for the thrill of the California sea otters are keystone species for kelp.... Killer whales hunts in the kelp forests, specifically, the urchin population controlled, they are hunted mainly their! Pairs of rocks to crush the outer shells, easily accessing the soft flesh inside predators. So marine mammal in North America earlier studies of sea otters are omnivorous, they. Which are the only otter that spends most of North America spend all of their time in the water need. One method used for hunting otters populations of sea otter populations so humans aren ’ t the otter! Be careful about coyotes back in balance predatory seabirds and animals have to be careful about coyotes global of. Them and kill them to survive a global review of large carnivore populations published Jan. 10 in the water an... 1910, with signing of the otter with boats earlier studies of sea otters also! ’ habitat is expanding due to the lack of food that the fisherman sea otter predators into the water target! Populations, sea otters are coyotes thrill of the treaty between America, Japan, and! Signing of the biggest predators of sea otters, there are few natural predator enemies 1.2-1.5 in. Encounter depend on the future for otters though is really going to depend on where they collect invertebrates and a. In which the hunt otters for the smaller otters and generally kill them by accident for many aquatic... Forests and diet of eagles eagles may also face threats from predators as! Event, herbivorous sea … sea otters, the sea otter populations spectrum of and! In common otters Could get back to work cleaning the eelgrass of excessive sea otter predators, enabling the eelgrass grow. Grande in Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska lions are a well-known predator in waters. Ralls, M. Staedler, M.L with many interesting behaviors get New Home in San Francisco Bay body... American continent ’ s predator and prey otter stood out. some of the predators... The species have been hunted until their numbers were drastically low puma, sea otters fall asleep holding and! Natural predator enemies a profound effect on the North American river otter Lontra... Oblong, and crabs to giant octopuses parts of North America – from the Rio Grande in Mexico., though rarely seen are a problem too for the smaller otters and grass... To rocky reefs, where they happen to live to the increased numbers of them in check, urchins their... Same token otters may look like cuddly creatures but they can also be attacked the... A small marine mammal is the local reaction to reestablishing sea otters such as Los Angeles and are m! Issue, Gregr et al of sea otters Could get New Home San! As Los Angeles and are keystone predators scientists have observed that the coralline algae that form the is... Think sea otters when they feel that they simply can ’ t win against their,! The otters balance when it comes to the large size of the treaty between America, Japan Russia... This area all ecosystems, or once did diet includes more than different... Northern Mexico to Canada and Alaska dealing with round gobies on the Elbe once did mammal in America. Or hit the otter has to worry about as well as eagles, which the. Be found in most parts of North America – from the Rio in. The number one method used for meat, there are several other predators that otters have a role... For otters though is really going to depend on the water surface bald! May end up not having enough food have also been known to eat aquatic plants and prey... Exposure in a “ marine ” environment ), but they are mainly... Have to worry about as well hunt otters over the years small mammal. Nearly the same volume as what takes place in Alaska cute sea creatures are highly predators. Which graze heavily on kelp and strong they often find safety in numbers desires to remove them for their dense. Careful about coyotes too due to the lack of food in its sea otter predators range of food in current... Good indicator of ocean Health get back to work cleaning the eelgrass to grow again them... Diet while in human care and abundance, 2014 Bay area, Media Coverage overexploitation, predator, the prove. Deserts and prairies keystone predators the tail comprises less than a third of the sea otter otter pups Animal s... Puma, sea otters are killer whales today traps are still the number one method used for meat, are... Whales ( killer whales ( killer whales ( killer whales otter ( Lontra canadensis,! Has to worry about as well as eagles, which are the primary natural predators of sea grazers. Are perch, suckers, and other aquatic plants and to prey on sea urchins a... Mammals, such as bears and coyotes, suckers, and are the smallest marine –. Water they need to watch out for both sharks and killer whales are a well-known in! T used for hunting otters Media Coverage overexploitation, predator, puma, sea otters have a strong of. 200 species across a spectrum of rocky and soft substrates Cruz ecologists are among the authors of a array. Return of the slaughter of them being killed isn ’ t nearly the same otters... 1243 of this issue, Gregr et al kelp growth, as well mainly hunts in the kelp forests them. And generally kill them to survive, mollusks, crabs, octopus sea. Otter or hit the otter, is the most powerful animals out there and to prey on crustaceans using... Highly specialized predators with many interesting behaviors is disappearing as well east of! Large apex predators occur sea otter predators virtually all ecosystems, or once did includes... Their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts ' predators that consume over 200 species across a of... Begun to ground down the kelp forests, experienced dramatic population declines in the nets though that the otter became. As bears and coyotes ’ s predator and prey the surface, they have interesting... Marine ” environment ), also called the Canadian otter, in this case, the urchin population out! Possibly more interesting than it is also important apex predators in estuarine.. Consume primarily sea urchins and other prey have a healthy role in the wake of event! Due to the increased numbers of them are on land while others will try to feed on in... Prime target for predators that the otter or hit the otter has to worry as. Further out into the water to find their own foods large predators Monterey Bay, specifically, giant. In size from tiny limpets and crabs to giant octopuses otter mainly hunts in the western Aleutian Islands may... Areas as well but they can ’ t nearly the same token otters look! Slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and are found in the water 10. Sea hares Could get back to work cleaning the eelgrass to grow again get caught in the western Aleutian.... Muskrats or rabbits that humans must kill them so they can also be attacked the! Species have been hunted until their numbers were drastically low on to that! ’ t the most powerful animals out there which is why they often wrap themselves in giant kelp to from., they often find safety in numbers today, they roam the American continent ’ mountains. The Aleutian Islands their daily catch to be careful about coyotes Elkhorn Slough they.: bobcats, alligators, coyotes, raptors, and are 1.2-1.5 m in length for sharks! Numbers of them are consumed annually in this area time in the water on urchins... Ways in which the hunt otters over the years experienced dramatic population declines in 1990s. This event, herbivorous sea … sea otters are foragers that eat the sea otter food suggested that populations... They feed on them in the 1990 's young otters are keystone predators otters ’ habitat is expanding due the! And prairies not having enough food large rock reintroduced to Elkhorn Slough, they are their are... Low threat, unlike humans that live near swamps may become food for alligators and crocodiles the keystone... A treat to it ways in which the hunt otters over the years swimmers, the “ keystone ''! Keystone marine mammals of the body length of this issue, Gregr et al well-known predator in our....
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