THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 9 



Figure 3. — The external ear of the sea otter resembles the ear of an otariid 

 seal. It is cartilaginous and thickened but not as pointed at the tip or as 

 tightly rolled and "valvelike" as the ear of a seal. The ear length (from 

 notch) of an adult male was 32 mm. and of a subadult female 30 mm. 

 While the otter is beneath the water the ears are pointed sharply downward. 

 When the head is above the surface the ears are usually held erect. 

 (KWK 61-42-0) 



color (fig. 4). Over a period of several weeks the guard hair 

 grows out, often giving the pup a distinctly yellowish appearance. 



The late juvenile pelage is similar to that of the adult, which is 

 typically dark bodied and buffy to light gray headed. The head 

 tends to become whiter with age, and grizzling may appear on 

 other parts of the body. Body color varies from light buff (rare) 

 through shades of brown to nearly black. The sparse guard hair 

 may be dark or silvery white. 



IDENTIFICATION OF THE RIVER OTTER 

 AND THE SEA OTTER 



The river otter (Lutra canadensis) is often seen swimming in 

 salt water in coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. 



