T ET E 
AMERICAN NATURALIST. 
Vol. IV.— APRIL, 1870. — No. 2. 
coc Gu 9 OTD 
THE SEA OTTERS.* 
BY CAPT. C. M. SCAMMON. 
THe most valuable fur-bearing animals inhabiting the 
waters of the north-west coast of North America are the 
sea otters; they are found as far south as twenty-eight de- 
grees of north latitude, and their northern limits include the 
Aleutian Islands. Although never migrating to the south- 
ern hemisphere, these peculiar amphibious animals are found 
around the isolated points of southern Kamtschatka and even 
to the western Kuriles, a chain of islands that separate the 
Okhotsk Sea from the north-eastern Pacific. 
The length of the matured animals may average five feet 
including the tail, which is about ten inches; the head re- 
sembles that of the fur seal of the coast, having full, black, 
sharp eyes, exhibiting much intelligence. The color of the 
females when in season is quite black, at other periods of a 
dark brown. The males usually are of the same shade, al- 
though in some instances they are of a jet shining black like 
their hates. The fur is of a much lighter shade inside than 
upon the surface; and extending over all are long, black, 
glistening hairs, which add müch to the richness and beauty 
of the pelage. Some individuals, about the nose and eyes, 
*Furnished for publication by the SMITHSONIAN fomes: 
f The most northern limit we can rely upon is sixty degrees north. 
Entered according to Act of Co in the ue, e 870, by the PEABODY eere ud or 
SCIENCE, in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the District of Massachuse 
9 E 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. IV 
