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Sea Otter Facts
Sea Otter Adoption
Sea Otter Facts
The sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammal species.
- Male sea otters weigh 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb) and are 1.2 to 1.5 m
(4 to 5 ft) in length.
- Females are smaller, weighing 14 to 33 kg (30 to 73 lb) and measuring 1 to
1.4 m (3.3 to 4.6 ft) in length.[19]
The sea otter has no blubber and relies on its exceptionally thick fur to
keep warm.
- With up to 150,000 hairs per cm2 (nearly 1 million hairs per sq in),
its fur is the most dense of any animal.
- The fur consists of long waterproof guard hairs and short under fur.
- the guard hairs keep the dense under fur layer dry.
- Cold water is thus kept completely away from the skin and heat loss is
limited.
- The fur is thick year-round, as it is shed and replaced gradually rather
than in a distinct molting season.
- As the ability of the guard hairs to repel water depends on utmost
cleanliness, the sea otter has the ability to reach and groom the fur on any
part of its body, taking advantage of its loose skin and an unusually supple
skeleton.
- The sea otter has a metabolic rate two or three times that of
comparatively sized terrestrial mammals. It must eat an estimated 25 to 38% of
its own body weight in food each day in order to burn the calories necessary
to counteract the loss of heat due to the cold water environment.
- The sea otter's use of rocks when hunting and feeding makes it one of the
few mammal species to use tools.
- To open hard shells, it may pound its prey with both paws against a rock
on its chest.
- To pry an abalone off its rock, it hammers the abalone shell using a
large stone, with observed rates of 45 blows in 15 seconds.
- Releasing an abalone, which can cling to rock with a force equal to
4,000 times its own body weight, requires multiple dives.
- Sea otters live in coastal waters 15 to 23 meters (50 to 75 ft) deep, and
usually stay within 1 km (0.6 mi) of the shore.
- They are found most often in areas with protection from the most severe
ocean winds, such as rocky coastlines, thick kelp forests, and barrier
reefs.
- Although they are most strongly associated with rocky substrates, sea
otters can also live in areas where the sea floor consists primarily of mud,
sand, or silt.
- Their northern range is limited by ice, as sea otters can survive amidst
drift ice but not land-fast ice. Individuals generally occupy a home range a
few kilometers long, and remain there year-round.
Sea Otters are not common around Victoria Harbour they can often being a pest to boat
owners as they are very fast and can get in anywhere.
If you like otters then
take the tour to learn even more sea otter facts
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The Skipper's Corner
"The Legendary Captain" Ron King, Owner Operator of Sea
King Adventures, has over 35 years of experience in the beautiful waters
around Victoria and Vancouver Island. He is a certified Master Skipper
with The distinction of being Victoria's most knowledgeable marine naturalist
and conservationist .
Since starting SeaKing Adventures in 1995 Ron boasts a
perfect safety record.
Born and raised in Victoria, Captain Ron has over 30 years
of professional marine experience - including 25 years of commercial fishing and
11 years whale watching.
Like his father before him, going to sea is the only life he’s known. He began
his career as a deckhand on board his father’s fishing boat "Five Kings II" at
the tender age of 11. By the time he was 20, he owned and operated his first
fishing vessel, "Aquarius".
In 1995, with the commercial fishery in decline, he
discovered his passion and purpose in whale watching and founded SeaKing
Adventures Inc.
Because SeaKing Adventures is Victoria’s only 100% family owned and
operated marine tour company, Ron’s commitment to quality, safety and
satisfaction is guaranteed! His central location on board the vessel allows him
to provide Victoria’s most comprehensive fully narrated, totally interactive and
personalized tours. Boasting a spotless safety record and sightings guarantee,
Ron’s qualifications and experience combine to make him the city’s premier
guide.
Our vessel can accommodate groups of 12 comfortably and is
Canadian Coast Guard inspected annually. The soft riding boat has comfy leather
seats, an onboard toilet and is equipped with all the latest in GPS, radar and
communications apparatus. Safety survival suits are supplied for each
passenger.
Passengers can all expect a exciting, educational, safe and
comfortable tour of the area whales and wildlife.
Reservations Recommended
Book early!
2013 Rates
Our email address is seaking@
islandnet.com
click here to
email
Call Now
Toll Free
1-877-250-ORCA
(6722)
Local
(250) 381-4173
Text
250-361-8504
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