86 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 68 



break the shells of clams and mussels by carrying them aloft and 

 letting them fall on a rocky beach. 



Defense and Escape 



ON LAND 



When a sea otter on shore finds itself cornered and cut off from 

 escape to the sea it stiffens, faces the approaching intruder, and 

 begins to rear backward (fig. 47). If the intruder continues to 

 approach, the otter flops onto its back (fig. 48). If it is approached 

 more closely, it may hiss and the stiffened forelegs are extended 

 (fig. 49). The animal may attempt to bite any object extended 

 toward it, while using the f orepaws to push it away. I have never 

 seen a cornered animal attempt aggressively to attack human 

 intruders. Defense and escape are the only reactions. 



IN THE WATER 



When a sea otter is surprised at close quarters by an intruder 

 it first rises high in the water. It faces the intruder and extends 



1^' 



Figure 47. — A juvenile sea otter, cornered on an Amchitka beach, prepares 

 to rear backwards to assume the defensive posture illustrated in figure 

 48. (KWK 62-10-10) 



