THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 95 



MOVING YOUNG 



While swimming on her back, the mother sea otter carries her 

 pup clasped between her forepaws (fig. 53). After a feeding or 

 preening period, when the pup floats near its mother, she may- 

 grasp the pup with her forepaws and lift it onto her chest or she 

 may roll on her side, clasp the pup to her chest and then roll again 

 onto her back. If a mother with a pup is frightened or pursued, 

 she holds the pup tightly with her forelegs and grasps the side of 

 its head in her teeth as she turns to dive. Small young may drown 

 during escape dives if the mother must dive repeatedly at short 

 intervals (see Diving). 



On land the mother otter grasps the side or back of the pup's 

 head in her teeth and drags it. The pup is limp and relaxed, as if 

 dead, while it is being dragged. Large juveniles usually walk be- 

 side the mother when they haul out but if alarmed, the mother 

 grasps the youngster by the head and drags it. Although a juve- 



FiGURE 53. — The mother sea otter carries her pup high on her chest, clasped 

 by both front paws. White scar tissue was seen frequently on the noses of 

 adult females but rarely on juveniles or adult males. It is presumed that 

 these scars are inflicted by the male during mating when the nose of the 

 female is grasped by the male's teeth, usually causing it to bleed. (KWK 

 57-29-27) 



