136 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



THE SEA-OTTER 



(Latax lutris) 



THE Sea-Otter is very distinct from all the other species, and in some 

 respects, both in appearance and habits, approaches the Seals. It is 

 rather short and bulky in form, with the tail comparatively short and 

 bushy, not sleek and tapering as in ordinary Otters. The toes of the 

 fore-feet are remarkably short and stumpy, while those of the hind 

 are very long, increasing in length from the inside outwards, and, as 

 they are fully webbed, the whole foot distinctly recalls a Seal's flipper. 



The animal is much bigger than the Common Otter, and of a dark- 

 brown colour, silvered by lighter hairs. It is only found on the North 

 Pacific coasts, and chiefly about the islands of the Aleutian coast, and is 

 now rare even there, being so much persecuted for its skin, which is one 

 of the most valuable of furs. 



It spends almost all its time in the water, and is slow and awkward 

 on land ; indeed, it is said that its single cub is often brought forth on 

 the floating beds of kelp-weed. Its mother often nurses it while lying on 

 her back in the sea, this position being a favourite one with the animal. 



The Sea-Otter does not feed much on fish proper, but on clams, 

 mussels, sea-urchins, and such-like " shell-fish " ; it is also stated to eat 

 sea-weed. In accordance with this diet, its grinding-teeth are much 

 broader in the crowns than those of the typical Otters, being adapted 

 for crushing rather than cutting. It is said not to be possible to keep 

 this animal in captivity, but all such statements should be received with 

 caution ; probably the right method has not been tried in this, as in 

 so many other cases of the kind. 



Sea-Otters are now usually procured with the gun, and are very 

 timid and wary; it is greatly to be wished that the pursuit of them 

 could be regulated or even put a stop to for a time, as it would be 

 a great pity if so valuable and interesting an animal were allowed to 

 become extinct. 



