1. Notes: Marine Mammals Sea Otters, Polar Bears, Manatees

2. Sea Otters General Characteristics General Characteristics Order: Carnivora Order: Carnivora Smallest marine mammal 60-80 lbs. Smallest marine mammal 60-80 lbs. Raft – group of otters Raft – group of otters Live in and around kelp beds Live in and around kelp beds Right or left handed (keep a favorite rock under their armpit) Right or left handed (keep a favorite rock under their armpit) Lack a layer of blubber Lack a layer of blubber Fur – densest fur of any marine mammal Fur – densest fur of any marine mammal Human 30,000 hairs per square inch Human 30,000 hairs per square inch German shepherd 40,000 hairs per square inch German shepherd 40,000 hairs per square inch Otter – 1,000,000 hairs per square inch Otter – 1,000,000 hairs per square inch

3. Otter’s cont’d They blow bubbles into their fur They blow bubbles into their fur for insulation and to help them float. for insulation and to help them float. Food – They eat sea urchins, mussels, crabs and other invertebrates. They must eat 7-9 kg. per day because they have a high metabolism (helps keep them warm). Food – They eat sea urchins, mussels, crabs and other invertebrates. They must eat 7-9 kg. per day because they have a high metabolism (helps keep them warm). Reproduction Reproduction Most breed and give birth in the water Most breed and give birth in the water Pups weigh 4-5 lbs. at birth Pups weigh 4-5 lbs. at birth Pups cannot dive by themselves until they are 2-3 months old. Pups cannot dive by themselves until they are 2-3 months old. When sea otters are alarmed or frightened, they hold up their paws and hiss! When sea otters are alarmed or frightened, they hold up their paws and hiss! Almost slaughtered to extinction until protected in 1911. Almost slaughtered to extinction until protected in 1911.

4. Polar Bears Characteristics Characteristics Largest predator in Largest predator in the world the world Live in the Arctic Live in the Arctic Can swim up to 60 miles without stopping to rest – this may take 3-4 days. Can swim up to 60 miles without stopping to rest – this may take 3-4 days. They can do 50 foot dives. They can do 50 foot dives. Eat seals which they stalk and capture when they surface to breathe. Eat seals which they stalk and capture when they surface to breathe. They spend the winter in dens They spend the winter in dens

5. Polar Bears, Cont’d Reproduction/Offspring Reproduction/Offspring Cubs are born in the winter Cubs are born in the winter in a den in a den They weigh 1 pound at birth They weigh 1 pound at birth Don’t leave the den for 3 months Don’t leave the den for 3 months Stay with mother for 3 years Stay with mother for 3 years Adaptations Adaptations white fur – to help camouflage white fur – to help camouflage black skin – to help trap heat black skin – to help trap heat hair is a hollow tube to help funnel hair is a hollow tube to help funnel sunlight to skin.

6. Manatees and Dugongs Characteristics Characteristics Order Sirenia – means mermaids Order Sirenia – means mermaids Relative of the elephant – called sea cows Relative of the elephant – called sea cows Large lips to feed on sea grass - herbivores Large lips to feed on sea grass - herbivores Reproduce slowly – 1 calf every 3 years Reproduce slowly – 1 calf every 3 years Many are damaged by speed boats so speed limit laws have been passed in their habitats. Scars are visible on their backs. Many are damaged by speed boats so speed limit laws have been passed in their habitats. Scars are visible on their backs. Manatee- can reachDugong – can reach 15 feet/1,320 lbs 10 feet/930 lbs