THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 



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Figure 56. — This pup, probably about 2 months old, swims beside its mother. 

 The mother removed the pup from her chest, placed it in the water, then 

 swam slowly away while the pup followed. Swimming sessions, such as this, 

 were seen often at Amchitka. They usually lasted for from 3 to 5 minutes 

 and terminated when the mother again lifted the young one onto her chest. 

 (KWK 1022) 



SLEEP 



Resting and sleeping are more frequent on the water than on 

 land but mother otters may bring their young ashore to sleep. 

 Newly born young often sleep while pressed against the mother's 

 neck, under her chin. As the pup grows, it usually sleeps sprawled 

 farther down on her chest or abdomen. When the young has 

 reached a weight of about 10 lb. (4+ kg.), the mother holds the 

 sleeping juvenile's head on her chest or abdomen (fig. 7) while 

 its body floats at right angles to hers. Large juveniles sleep float- 

 ing close beside and parallel to the mother. When mother and 

 young rest on land, sleeping positions are similar (fig. 55). 



