THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 223 



Figure 89. — A — Finally aroused, the male moved ahead of the female while 

 she prodded him toward the water from behind. (KWK 62-19-1) B — As 

 the pair slid into the water the female grasped the still drowsy male and 

 gazed over him at the camera. (KWK 62-19-43) C — Finally completely 

 aroused, the male stared in mild alarm while the female clasped his back 

 in her forepaws. Shortly after the last photograph was taken the pair 

 dived and made their way through a narrow channel to open water beyond 

 the tidal rocks. (KWK 62-19-40) 



the two swam off together. Since an impregnated female separates 

 from the male shortly after copulation, and family groups include 

 only the mother and her young, it appears improbable that such 

 \ an association as illustrated would involve family ties. 



As a general rule, lone females and females with young are 

 observed apart from adult males. But a courting male, after a 

 period of attempted courtship with a female and her young, may 



