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affected adversely by frigid temperatures (fig. 110) when held 

 in proper enclosures. 



No conclusive data are available to demonstrate that fresh water 

 provides a satisfactory permanent environment for captive sea 

 otters. Although no record exists to show that sea otters were 

 ever found in fresh water in nature, captives held in clean fresh 

 water at Amchitka showed no detectable ill effects. One female, 

 Susie, lived for 6 years in a fresh-water pool in Seattle. An autopsy 

 revealed, however, that her reproductive tract had not only failed 

 to mature but had regressed and was less developed than in 

 normal juvenile otters. Could this condition have been related to 

 the fresh-water environment? In addition, severe infestation of 

 nasal mites (Halarachne miroungae) , a condition never found in 

 a wild otter, contributed to her death (Kenyon, Yunker, and 

 Newell, 1965). I conclude that fresh water may be temporarily 

 satisfactory for captive animals but that long-term studies of 

 captive otters should be conducted on animals kept in sea water. 



Figure 110. — Air temperatures down to +15° F. were withstood with no 

 apparent detrimental effects by captive otters in the outdoor pool. Ice 

 which quickly formed during cold spells was removed to provide open 

 water. The otter in the foreground holds up its paws in typical begging 

 posture. (KWK 59-3-1) 



