THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 87 



Figure 48. — In the defensive position a sea otter lies on its back, faces the 

 source of danger, and is alert to repel an attack. If an advance is made to 

 touch an animal in this position, it attempts to bite and to push the adver- 

 sary with its forepaws. The forepaws may also be used to aid in bringing 

 the teeth into contact with the adversary. (KWK 62-10-26) 



its forelegs, stiffly, palms of the forepaws outward toward the 

 intruder. It then submerges vertically, pushing the forelegs above 

 the head. It sinks backward beneath the surface, rather than 

 plunging forward as in a normal dive. 



Maternal and Filial Behavior 



DURATION OF DEPENDENT PERIOD 



The place of birth is discussed under ''Reproduction in the 

 Female." In her paper on the "Early life of a sea otter pup," 

 Fisher (1940a) described many aspects of the behavior of mother 

 and pup. Other writers have remarked on the unusual care of the 

 mother for her young. 



