CONTENTS 



Page 



Preface iii 



Introduction 1 



Systematics 4 



Physical characteristics 6 



Identification of the river otter and the sea otter 9 



Body measurements 19 



Pelage and skin 31 



Feeding mechanisms 42 



Age determination 52 



The senses 55 



Habitat requirements 57 



General behavior 59 



Daily cycle of activity 59 



Locomotion 60 



Sleeping 71 



Grooming 74 



Voice 76 



Handedness 80 



Tool-using 82 



Defense and escape 86 



Maternal and filial behavior 87 



Relation to other animals 102 



Food and feeding behavior 105 



Food gathering 106 



What food is eaten 110 



Where food is eaten 112 



Stomach analyses 113 



Fecal analyses 123 



Food quantities required 126 



Relative values of sea otter foods 127 



Depletion of food resources 128 



Unusual food items 131 



Conclusions 131 



Distribution and numbers 133 



Original 133 



Modem 137 



Summary 198 



Home range 200 



Territoriality 204 



Reproduction 206 



Sex ratio 206 



Segregation of sexes 208 



Breeding behavior 214 



Reproduction in the female 224 



Reproduction in the male 247 



V 



