THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 75 



Figure 36. — While dozing- on the surface of her pool, a captive female sea 

 otter languidly grooms the fur of her chest and sides. (KWK 61-10-34) 



The fur is washed by rubbing submerged parts of the body with 

 the forepaws and by rolling, head first, over and over at the sur- 

 face. Rolling may be accomplished just prior to sleep on the water's 

 surface. It smooths the fur and leaves a thin film of water in the 

 outer pelage tips. 



In the final stages of a grooming session the otter may rest belly 

 down at the surface, the head bent under the body while blowing 

 air into the fur. Simultaneously the sides and belly are rubbed 

 vigorously with the forepaws (fig. 42). The fur may also be 

 aerated by a rapid churning motion of the forepaws, beating the 

 water to a foaming froth (fig. 43). 



If the otter intends to rest on land, it swims to a point near the 

 desired resting place. Here it goes through a 5- to 10-minute 

 grooming routine before leaving the water. After hauling out, the 

 otter energetically rubs and dries its fur (fig. 44). 



In general, females tend to be more thorough than males in 

 grooming their pelage. I sometimes saw males, but not females, 

 after hauling out, that failed to thoroughly groom and dry their 

 fur before sleeping. 



