THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 291 



Figure 109. — The cement pool in the enclosure shown in figure 108 where 

 otters were maintained in excellent health. (KWK 57-29-4) 



sea otter exists only in clean water and the fur remains water- 

 repellent. The skin is never wet but is protected by a blanket of 

 air trapped in the fur fibers. The waterproof quality of the delicate 

 fur is lost when animals are improperly held. 



In shallow lakes (1951), mud and detritus became entangled in 

 fur fibers, admitting water to the skin. In the large wooden tank 

 (1954), an insufficient flow of water allowed suspended food and 

 fecal matter to accumulate and become imbedded in the fur. Also, 

 there was not enough space for the otters to get out of the water 

 to dry themselves. The same results occurred as in the lake. When 

 otters were given intermittent access to water (1956), food scraps 

 and slime became imbedded in the fur during periods when water 

 was not available. The progress of wetting was less rapid under 

 the latter conditions because a degree of cleansing was possible. 

 In addition, humidity developed with inadequate circulation of 

 outdoor air and hindered the drying of fur when otters were held 

 in a building. 



Even in the large outdoor pool, built in 1957, care was necessary 

 to limit the number of otters held. If more than five were held 

 simultaneously, the pool had to be drained and cleaned daily to 

 prevent an accumulation of food scraps and feces that affected 

 the water-repellent qualities of the fur. Captive otters were not 



