90 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 68 



Figure 50. — (Above) After a feeding period and before taking her 3- to 

 4-week-old pup ashore, the mother sea otter scrubs and grooms her fur with 

 her forepaws. The pup at this stage is unable to swim. By aimless strokes 

 of its hind flippers it may move about in a circle or attempt to roll over 

 (as shown here) to grasp a kelp strand. While she washes and grooms, the 

 mother seldom moves more than a meter from her pup and usually stays 

 close beside it (below). She watches it constantly. (KWK 55-19-7 and 9; 

 11 September 1955) 



