THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 



73 



Where kelp beds are available, the otters sleep in their pro- 

 tection. When surrounded by strands of kelp, the sleeping otter 

 is protected from rough water and from movements by v^ind and 

 water currents. Often, before going to sleep the otter uses its 

 forepaws to pull one or several strands of kelp over its body; or 

 it may make a shallow dive under the kelp strands, emerging with 

 the strands in place over its body (fig. 35). In certain areas, for 

 example off the north shore of Unimak Island, no kelp beds occur. 

 In that area otters gather in large groups to sleep on the open 

 sea (fig. 81). 



Before going to sleep, otters scrub and groom their fur for about 

 5 to 15 minutes in the water. Then, if they haul out to sleep, the 

 fur is preened and rubbed dry before sleeping. 



On land the otter may sleep in many positions, from lying on 

 the back as when sleeping in the water to stretching out flat on 

 the belly or curling up nose-to-tail (fig. 84). 



When otters awaken, they appear reluctant to get wet. If float- 

 ing, they hold the feet, head, and tail aloft while rolling the body 

 from side to side. Often they roll completely over, arching the 

 back to avoid wetting the extremities. The head and forepaws are 



Figure 35. — A drowsy otter preens its cheeks with its forepaws before going 

 to sleep. The hind flippers and tail protrude beyond strands of kelp 

 (Macrocystis) that lie across its chest and belly and prevent movement 

 by wind or current while the otter sleeps. (Photographed near Monterey, 

 Calif., by Wm. F. Bryan) 



