THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 303 



Wild sea otters habitually eat while floating on the surface (see 

 Food and Feeding Behavior). When captives were held in en- 

 closures without suflicient water to swim in, they ate poorly. They 

 refused some foods that were readily eaten by captives held in a 

 pool. They were nervous and distressed. Stullken and Kirkpatrick 

 (1955) noted that three successfully maintained captives kept in 

 dry bedding lost weight, frequently appeared listless, and in 

 weakened condition during the first 10 days in captivity. Digestion 

 was apparently disturbed when animals were kept on dry bedding 

 without a pool. Flatus was observed frequently in otters kept on 

 dry bedding but not in animals kept in a satisfactory pool. Similar 

 food was given to both groups of animals. 



Individual animals in apparent good health refused to eat when 

 held on dry bedding without access to a pool. One adult male 

 refused to eat for 4 days and was then released, weakened but 

 still apparently healthy. An adult female kept in similar quarters 

 refused food for 6 days before release. Juveniles, in general, were 

 more adaptable than adults. Sea otters require an abundant supply 

 of clean water in which they can consume food and clean their 

 pelage while eating. Only while in transit for a brief period should 

 they be held in cages without bathing water. 



Daily Cycle of Activity 



BEHAVIOR DURING THE DAY 



Two days, one in midsummer (29 August 1957) and the other 

 in midwinter (21 January 1960) were spent by V. B. Scheffer and 

 me near the enclosure of an adult female sea otter (Susie) in the 

 Seattle Zoo. Her activities as listed below were timed with a stop 

 watch and recorded (table 62). Activities were classified according 

 to four primary categories : 



Grooming 



Rubbing the fur with the paws, principally the f orepaws. It was 

 accomplished while sitting beside the pool or while rolling over 

 and over in the water or lying on the surface of the pool. 



Resting 



When the eyes were shut the otter was presumed to be sleeping. 

 If the eyes were open while she lay quietly, she was recorded as 

 napping. 



