WEASEL FAMILY 



141 



pursuers. When closely pressed, it will turn and 

 defend itself with great obstinacy." 



The sliding of the Otter seems to be a 

 favorite amusement of this creature. Godman 

 speaks of the diversion in the following terms : 

 " Their favorite sport is sliding, and for this 

 purpose in winter the highest ridge of snow is 

 selected, to the top of which the Otters scramble, 

 where, lying on the belly with the fore-feet bent 

 backwards, they give themselves an impulse with 

 their hind legs and swiftly glide head-foremost 

 down the declivity, sometimes for the distance 

 of twenty yards. This sport they continue ap- 

 parently with the keenest enjoyment tmtil fatigue 

 or hunger induces them to desist." 



Statements of similar import are made by vari- 

 ous writers, and accord with Audubon's observa- 

 tions : " The Otters ascend the bank at a place 

 suitable for their diversion, and sometimes where 

 it is very steep, so that they are obliged to make 



an effort to gain the top ; they slide down in 

 rapid succession where there are many at a 

 sliding place. On one occasion we were resting 

 on the bank of Canoe Creek, a small stream 

 near Henderson, which empties into the Ohio, 

 when a pair of Otters made their appearance, 

 and not observing our proximity, began to enjoy 

 their sliding pastime. They glided down the 

 soap-like muddy surface of the slide with the 

 rapidity of an arrow from a bow, and we counted 

 each one making twenty-two slides before we 

 disturbed their sportive occupation." 



The general intelligence of the Otter is of a 

 high order, and his docility is such that he may 

 not only be thoroughly tamed, but taught to 

 work for his master. Audubon speaks of four 

 American Otters which were tamed so com- 

 pletely that they would answer a whistle like 

 dogs, and became very agreeable as well as use- 

 ful pets. 



SEA OTTER 

 Latax lutris (Linnaeus) 



General Description. — Size very large, general ap- 

 pearance miicli as Canadian Otter. Body long ; fore- 

 feet small ; hind feet large, fully webbed, flapper like, 

 haired on both surfaces ; tail flattened, smooth, about 

 one quarter length of body; claws of moderate length: 

 ears very small and low on side of head; skin very 

 loose on body; fifth toe longest, others diminishing to 

 the first; molar teeth large and smooth on crown; color 

 dark, frosted with white tipped hairs. 



Dental Formula. — Incisors. ~~ ; Canines, ^^ ', 



Premolars. ^:z\' J^Iolars, tE-=32. 



Pelage. — Sexes similar. Seasonal variation slight. 

 Color black, with white tips to the longer hairs, giving 

 frosted appearance ; head and neck grayish-white or 

 yellowish-white; an exceedingly dense underfur is 

 present, formed of shorter and softer hairs, and through 

 this coat a much less dense outer coat penetrates, the 

 hairs hard and lustrous. In summer the long, white- 

 tipped hairs are more numerous, producing a grizzled 

 appearance. 



Measurements. — Length. 48 inches; tail, 11 inches; 

 hind foot. inches long and 4 inches wide. 



Range. — North Pacific south to California in kelp 

 'beds among rocky islands and along the coast. Now a 

 very rare animal, and nearly extinct on American 

 shores. 



Food. — Fish, mussels, clams and molluscs. 



Remarks. — The Sea Otter is the most highly 

 specialized member of the MustcUdac. being purely 

 aquatic in its habit and taking all its food in the water. 

 .•Mthough so highly developed, it has yet retained many 

 of its more primitive characters, and is readily seen 

 to be related to its kindred ashore. Specimens of the 

 Sea Otter are very rare in collections, and but little is 

 known of its life history. One species divided into two 

 subspecies is known. 



Rel.^ted Forms 



Sea Otter. — Latax lutris lutris (Linnaeus). Typical 

 animal as described above. North Pacific south to 

 California. 



Southern Sea Otter. — Latax lutris )icrcis Mer- 

 riam. Much like the typical form. Waters off Cali- 

 fornia coast. 



The Sea Otter is an inhabitant of both coasts 

 of the North Pacific ; its chief haunts on the 

 American side being Alaska, the Aleutian 

 Islands, the neighborhood of Sitka Island on the 

 west coast of Canada, and Vancouver Island; 

 its southern limits being the shores of Oregon. 



On the Asiatic side it occurs in Kamschatka. btit 

 apparently more rarely than on the eastern shores 

 of the Pacific. 



When the Russian traders first opened up the 

 Aleutian Islands, they found the natives com- 

 monlv wearing cloaks made of the fur of the 



