sea_ottersA RAFT OF SEA OTTERS

This lively book tells young readers everything they want to know about the life and behavior of the southern sea otter, its northern cousin, and lesser-known river otters. Forty color photographs by 13 exceptional wildlife photographers show the otter at work and play, while range maps show both current and historic locations of the otters. It's all here for the budding biologist or zoologist, or the just-plain-curious kid: otter methods of courtship and reproduction, eating habits, and the animal's complex relationship with humankind, including how these playful animals continue to be threatened by oil spills and the encroachment of human society. An "Otter Secrets" section presents "amazing but true" characteristics of the otter, while the "To Learn More" page points curious readers to related websites, books, organizations, videos, and DVDs.

"Large, close-up mug shots of irresistible, whiskered marine animals will easily draw readers into this informative, picture-book-size revision of a 1993 title, which features improved visuals and design and expanded back matter. Detailed, highly readable text describes sea otter physiology, habits and habitats, and life cycle…An excellent choice for reports and browsing." - Booklist

"Rich with wonderful pictures and accurate information A Raft of Sea Otters deepens our understanding and appreciation of this charismatic, easy and fun to watch, marine mammal. A Raft of Sea Otters tells us stories of their lives, including how and where to watch them. This new edition, without being preachy, helps complete the picture by updating us on what is troubling their population and how we can help." - Steve Shimek, Executive Director, The Otter Project

Secrets of Sea Otters:
  • Baby otters are born with a full set of 32 teeth, and can soon chomp through crab shells and sea urchins.
  • Some sea otters eat so many purple sea urchins in their lives that their teeth and bones turn a lovely shade of purple!
  • Sea otters are the smallest marine mammals—and the only ones to live their entire lives on the sea without a protective layer of blubber.
  • Hunters once killed almost all sea otters for their fur. Their fine fur is twice as dense as any other furred mammal.
  • Most animals can't live without fresh water. But the sea otter lives on salt water and eats shellfish, high in salt. Its powerful kidneys help get rid of excess salt.
  • Every day, a sea otter has to hunt down and consume 25% of its weight in food.
  • The sea otter is one of very few tool-using animals in the world. It uses rocks and shells as hammers.
To Learn More:
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA. A superb aquarium and the world's most important center for sea otter research, rescue and rehabilitation. Their website is incredibly rich and responsive. Live cameras, clips of otters, and more. Untold resources for kids, teachers. Website: www.mbayaq.org
  • Marine Mammal Center. Links to aquaria, helping agencies, and teacher resources. Website: www.marinemammalcenter.org
  • Friends of the Sea Otter, 125 Ocean View Blvd #204, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. First advocacy/education group to organize and lobby on otters' behalf: still going strong. Superb newsletter called The Raft. Website: www.seaotters.org
  • The Otter Project, a very active membership non-profit, working to protect the sea otter. Website: www.otterproject.org
  • Defenders of Wildlife, a national advocacy and education organization dedicated to saving native wildlife and habitats. Large range of programs and materials. Sponsors of Sea Otter Awareness Week. Excellent resources for kids and teachers on a rich website. Website: www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/seaotters
  • Elkhorn Slough nature preserve and wildlife area. Great place to see otters, birds in the wild. Website: www.elkhornslough.org
  • Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This huge protected stretch of California coast and nearshore contains most of the southern sea otter range. Website: www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov
  • This zoo/aquarium portal has great features, including ways that kids can help save the giant river otter. Website: http://www.Azasweb.com
  • This portal has links to good sites for river otters, giant otters, and sea otters; video clips of otters in captivity. Website: www.otternet.com
Click Here to BUY