34'4 THE SEA OTTER* 



year, and till it takes to itself a mate. — ^The Sea Ot- 

 ters pair_, and are very constant. They often carry 

 their young between their teeth, and fondle them, fre- 

 quently flinging them up and catching them again 

 in their paws. Before these can swim, the old ones 

 will take them in their fore feet, and swim about 

 with them upon their backs *. 



The Sea Otters swim sometimes on their sides ; at 

 other times on their backs, or in an upright position. 

 They are very sportive, embrace each other, and 

 seem to kiss -f^. — When attacked they make no re- 

 sistance, but endeavour to save themselves by flight: 

 if, however, they are closely pressed, and can sec 

 no means of escape, they scold and grin like an an- 

 gry Cat. On receiving a blow, tliey immediately 

 lie on their side, draw up their hind legs together, 

 cover their eyes with their fore paws, and thus seem 

 to prepare themselves for death. But if they are 

 fortunate enough to escape their pursuer, they de- 

 ride him as soon as they are safe in the sea, with 

 various diverting tricks : at one time keeping them- 

 selves on end in the water, and jumping over the 

 waves, holding their fore paw over the eyes as if to 

 shade them from the sun while looking out for their 

 enemy; then lying flat on their back, and stroking 

 their belly ; tjien throwing their young down into 

 the water and fetching them up again* In their 

 escape they carry the sucklings in their mouths, and 

 drive before them those that are full-grown |'. 



The skins of the Sea Otters are of great value, and 



«,^"neve',' 131. t Pean. Aict. Zool. i. 89- X TookCr 



