30. Beside the whale, what other mammals live in the oceans? 



There are several distinct groups of marine nnammals, other than 

 whales, that live in the ocean. These groups include porpoises, manatees 

 or sea cows, seals, and sea otters. Porpoises belong to the same order 

 (cetacea) as the whales. 



The manatee is the fabled mermaid of old sailors' stories. Its fore- 

 limbs are absent, with the body ending in a broad, flattened tail. It 

 lives in shallow coastal waters and eats aquatic plants only. Manatees 

 inhabit the warm rivers of Florida and estuaries of the Indian and Pacific 

 Oceans on both sides of the Equator. 



The sea otter is very similar in appearance to the land otter, except 

 that it is larger and better adapted for marine living. It has webbed hind 

 feet, and its fur is said to be the world's best. At one time sea otters 

 were very common, but they approached extinction because of the high 

 demand and value of their skin. In 1911, an agreement known as the 

 "Fur Seal Treaty" between the United States, Russia, Great Britain, 

 and Japan protected fur seals and sea otters from further hunting or 

 trapping. This treaty is still in effect and violation carries a very severe 

 penalty. 



The sea otter feeds on mussels and other shellfish and has a very in- 

 teresting feeding behavior pattern. It floats on its back and pounds shell- 

 fish against a rock balanced on its chest; the pounding fractures the shell 

 and enables the sea otter to feed on the soft parts. Sea otters are distri- 

 buted along the California coast and among the Aleutian Islands. 



Seals are divided into two groups: Those with external ears and 

 those without. Eared seals comprise the sea lion, fur seal, and walrus. 



ScAut >M Feet 



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