318 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 68 



mouths and sprinkled on their fur, they became quiet. It appeared 

 that even at the relatively low cabin temperature they suffered 

 from heat distress when their fur was dry. All arrived at St. Paul 

 Island in excellent condition. 



Traveling cages with false wire bottoms were used during all 

 experiments in aerial transportation to reduce fur soiling to a 

 minimum. On the short trip from Amchitka to St. Paul the 

 fur remained clean because the animals were not fed en route. 

 On trips of longer duration (15 to 36 hours) fur soiling could not 

 be avoided. Although body wastes fell through the false cage 

 bottoms, the animals habitually lay on their backs to eat (fig. 123). 

 Fish scraps and slime then accumulated in the fur with resultant 

 loss of waterproof condition. 



Figure 123. — Captive otters held on dry bedding habitually lay on their back 

 or side. Fish scraps and slime thus fell into the fur while the animals ate. 

 When the otters groomed and rubbed the fur with their paws, it became 

 saturated with filth and particles of bedding material, and its waterproof 

 quality was destroyed. When this animal was placed in water it did not 

 float in the normal manner but sank because the air in its fur was lost. 

 In this condition animals placed in cold water quickly chill and die. (KWK 

 55-5-1) 



