Sea Otter
By: D. H.

jitterbugnjewels

Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus Species | Works Cited

Kingdom: Animalia

• Multicellular

• Heterotrophs

• Cells organized into tissues

• Tissues organized into specialized organs

Phylum: Chordata

• They posses a notochord, a rod that extends most of the length of the body when its fully developed

• Bilateral symmetry

• Segmented body, including segmented muscles

• Ventral heart with dorsal and ventral blood vessels 

• Complete digestive system                                                

Class: Mammalia

• Three middle ear bones

• Hair

• Mammary glands

• Highly differential teeth

• A lower jaw made up of a single bone

Order: Carnivora

• Eat meat

• Medium-sized

• Very acute senses

• Excellent vision and hearing

• Have relatively large brains

Family: Mustelidae

• Long tail

• Small, rounded ears

• Have well-developed anal glands

• Skulls are not generally long

Genius Species:

• Enhydra and enhydra lutris

        Isn't it amazing that a sea otter can sleep in the water?  The sea otter  is in the Phylum  Chordata because it has a backbone.  The sea otter has very many important characteristics that are essential to its survival in the wild.

        Sea otters have many unique and useful characteristics that help them live in there habitat.  For example, one characteristic is its powerful forepaws.  This characteristic is helpful to the otter because it uses its forepaws to grab its food and crack it open.  Another characteristic is its paddle-like hind paws and rudder-like tail.  The sea otter uses these characteristics to swim quickly and get away from danger.  In addition, the otter also has thick fur.  Their fur is used to insolate them during the winter or in cold water.  In conclusion sea otters have many essential and useful characteristics that help them live.

           Sea otters need a habitat with water, kelp, and a shore line.  For example, they live in near shore costal waters.  They live close to the shore because that is where their food is found.   Another element essential to their habitat is their food.  They eat abalone, clams, sea urchins, crabs, fish, mussels, squid, and octopuses.  They also need kelp forests present in their habitat.  They sleep on there backs floating wrapped in kelp which keeps them warm.  In conclusion many things need to be present in a sea otters habitat in order for their survival.

        The sea otter has very many important characteristics that are essential for its survival in the wild.  The sea otter needs our protection, we have to keep our water clean and oil free so they can continue living in their environment.

Fun Facts

• Sea otters are the largest member of the family Mustelidae

• The maximum lifespan of an otter in the wild is 23 years

• Sea otters usually have one pup at a time

• A sea otters predators are bald eagles, humans, killer whales, sea lions, and white sharks.

• From the mid 1700s to 1911 sea otters were of great importance in the fur trade, their pelts would bring as much as $1,125 each.

	Haiku Playfully splashing Calmly bobbing up and down Diving in the sea

Works Cited

Information

Gunderson, Aren . Enhydra lutris. May 2000. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/enhydra/e._lutris$narrative.html>.

Muzzy, Catherine. Personal interview. 16 Apr. 2003.

Pictures

Home Page. Friends of the Sea Otter. 16 Apr. 2003 <http://www.seaotters.org/>.

Sound

SoundDogs.com. 16 Apr. 2003 <http://www.sounddogs.com/start.asp>.

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