386 THE SEA OTTER, OR KALAN. 
creature, and is very fond of engaging in mock aquatic combats, which display the 
extraordinary powers of the creature to the very best advantage. When on shore, the Otter 
can proceed at a considerable pace, and when in haste, employs a curious “loping” gallop 
as its means of progression. 
Upon the northern shores of the Pacific Ocean, and especially in those parts where 
the Asiatic and American continents approach nearest to each other, an extremely large 
species of Otter is found, which has the peculiarity of preferrmg the sea-coast to the 
fresh-water lakes and rivers for the greater part of the year. 
SEA OTTER, OR KALAN,—Enhydra Lutris. 
The KALAN, or SEA OTTER, is very much larger than its fresh-water relations, being 
rather more than twice the size of the common Otter , and weighing as much as seventy 
or eighty pounds. During the colder months of the year, the Kalan dwells by the 
sea-shores, and can be found upon the icy coasts of the Northern Pacific, where it is 
extremely active in the capture of marine fish. When the warmer months begin to loosen 
the icy bonds of winter, the Sea Otter leaves the coasts, and in company with its mate 
proceeds up the rivers until it reaches the fresh-water lakes of the interior. There it 
remains until the lessening warmth gives warning for it to make its retreat seawards 
before the fierce frosts of those northern regions seal up the lakes and deprive it of its 
means of subsistence. 
It is rather a scarce animal, and is not so prolific as many of its relations. The fur of 
the Kalan is extremely beautiful, shining with a glossy velvet-like sheen, and very warm 
in character. It is in consequence valued at av ery high price. The colour of the fur is 
rather variable, but its general hue is a rich black, slightly tinged with brown on the 
upper portions of the body, while the under portions of the body and the limbs are of a 
lighter hue. In some specimens the head is nearly white, and in one or two instances 
the white tinge extends as far as the neck. Indeed, the proportions of dark and white 
fur differ in almost every individual. 
All the Otters are long of body and short of limb, but in the Kalan this peculiarity is 
