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NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 68 



10 

 9 

 8 



C07 



of 



3 

 2 

 I 



JFMAMJJAS 

 MONTHS 1957 



0 N D 



Figure 113. — Average daily weight of food consumed each month in 1957 

 by an adult female sea otter weighing about 39 lb. In this period the 

 average daily consumption was 8.8 lb. (23 percent of the body weight). 



through August, records were kept of their combined food intake. 

 The combined weights of the two animals was about 102 lb. and 

 they consumed (during 212 days when records were kept) an 

 average of 25.1 lb. of food daily, or 24.6 percent of their combined 

 body weights. Unless competition for food stimulated Susie's 

 appetite and increased her intake, this would indicate that the 

 rate of consumption of the male exceeded that of the female. 



An adult male, Gus, now (1967) in the Tacoma Aquarium 

 kg.), about 20 percent of his body weight, of fish and squid daily, 

 weighs 76 lb. (34.5 kg.) and rarely fails to consume 15 lb. (6.8 

 His food is stored frozen in 5 lb. (2.3 kg.) blocks and three of these 

 are offered daily (filleted rockfish morning and evening and squid 

 at noon). From 1 September 1966 through 31 August 1967 he 

 consumed 5,452 lb. (2,473 kg.) of food. During the year period, 

 the otter consumed more than 99 percent of the food offered. When, 

 on several occasions, more than 15 lb. of food was offered the 

 otter either refused it or did not consume the entire ration at a 

 subsequent feeding. On his uniform and regulated diet this otter 

 appeared to remain in excellent condition. 



Some captive otters were temperamental about their food. A 

 food that was eaten enthusiastically one day was ignored or eaten 

 reluctantly the next. This behavior was especially evident when 

 an abundant supply of food was available. Days of high con- 

 sumption might indicate that a fresh supply of particularly de- 

 sirable food was available. 



