Alpenglow Images

Nature & Landscape Photography by Greg Russell
Alpenglow Images | Nature and Landscape Photography by Greg Russell

 

 

 

Sea Otter

When I say that I love cute, furry animals, I know I'm not alone. Who doesn't, really? Because of that, its hard not to love sea otters (Enhydra lutris). Although hunted to near extinction in North America in the 1700s and 1800s for their fur, sea otters have made an amazing comeback along the Pacific coast. Unfortunately, recent data show their populations to be declining again, but the cause is unclear. Marine biologists cite heavy storms, shark attacks, infectious disease (they are susceptible to Toxoplasmosis, a common protozoan found in cats), and even pollution as possible causes of this recent decline.

Sea otter between dives, feeding otter Sea otter between dives, feeding otter
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