302 CARNIVORA. 



The California Otter, Liitra Califomica, differs from the Canadian, 

 by possessing a shorter muzzle. It is about four and a half feet long ; the 

 color above is liver-brown, the under surface of the throat a dirty-white. 

 The ears are small, pointed and high, and the hind feet rather larger than 

 the fore feet. Its habits are the same as those of other otters. 



GENUS ENHYDRIS. 



The Sea Otter, or Kalan, Ejihydris marina (Plate XX), the oiily 

 species of the genus, prefers sea-water to fresh for the greater part of the 

 year. It 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 is found upon the coasts of the 

 Northern Pacific, where it is active in the capture of marine fish. When 

 the warmer months begin, the Sea Otter leaves the coasts, and in com- 

 pany with its mate proceeds up the rivers until it reaches the fresh- 

 water lakes. There it remains until the lessening warmth gives warning 

 for it to make its retreat seawards before the frosts seal up the waters. 



It is a scarce animal, and is not prolific. The fur of the Kalan is 

 extremely beautiful, shining with a glossy velvet-like sheen, and very 

 warm m character. It is, in consequence, valued at a very high price 

 The color 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-bodied and short-limbed, but in the Kalan 

 this peculiarity is very conspicuous on account of the comparative short- 

 ness of the tail, which is barely seven inches in length • while the body 

 measures three feet on the average. 



GENUS LONTRA. 



This genus contains three species, of which we mention the most 

 characteristic. 



