Within Alaska, there are 3 stocks. Otters are mammals and bear live young (pups). 4. The Southwest population stretches from the western edge of Cook … There are three sub-species of sea otters: Southern sea otters, Northern, and the Russian. In some areas such as alaska and along that stretch of coast there was no otters alive at all as they had all been hunted. Their fur is made up of a dense underfur, ranging in color from brown to black, and longer guard hairs. explains why and how the sea otter is endangered. The South central population spans from west of Glacier Bay to the eastern edge of Cook Inlet. Sea otters once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, but fur traders hunted them in large numbers and, consequently, reduced their population size. Surprisingly, a small raft of otters was found to have survived off the coast of California's Big Sur. Northern sea otters are found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. Sea otters live in shallow coastal waters off the northern Pacific. The southern sea otter was believed to be extinct, and otters in Alaskan waters were similarly imperiled. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. For sea otters, there is usually only 1 pup, more rarely 2 pups. Another endangered sea otter species is known as northern river otter which is also known as common otter. Sea Otters do not have a layer of blubber like other marine mammals, and they rely solely on their fur to keep warm. However, the sea otter population has been slow to recover. There are three sub-species of sea otters: Southern sea otters, Northern, and the Russian. THe endangered sea otter. Why is the northern sea otter endangured? The sea otter is the smallest marine mammal and the largest member of the weasel family. Sea otters were hunted for their fur to the point of near extinction. They were once thought to be extinct in California, but about 50 sea otters were rediscovered in 1938. There is one species of Otter on the low risk list which is the Oriental Small Clawed Otter. Several of the species though are listed as vulnerable and endangered. But then why aren't they being eaten at all. In Washington, sea otters are listed as endangered under the State Endangered Species Act. Well they do and its the sea otter. California’s sea otters are, as many have pointed out, a conservation success story. Early in the 20th century only 1,000 to 2,000 animals remained. Their hind feet are webbed to aid in swimming, and their front toes are short and stiff. The U.S. caught in an oil spill, a Sea Otter will have great difficulty If keeping warm in the cool ocean, as the oil causes its fur to lose its insulative properties. For North American river otters, a mother may have up to six pups. Northern river otter. The guard hairs can be brown to black to silver. We need you to answer this question! Just like its name which is “northern”, this species of sea otter is native to the North America continent where you can find them exist along the coast and also waterways. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are aquatic carnivores that reside in coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean, including waters by the United States, Japan, Canada, Russia and Mexico. Since then, intense conservation efforts have allowed the population to grow to about 3,000. These smallish creatures once had a rather sizable population throughout their home … The International Fur Seal Treaty of 1911, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1977 helped stop the sea otter population from dwindling. The sea otter is the smallest marine mammal and the largest member of the weasel family. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. In the U.S., there are two distinct sea otter subspecies, the Northern sea otter and the Southern sea otter. The Southeast stock can be found in the coastal waters of Southeast Alaska. The northern sea otter is protected from hunting and harassment by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Well because in the late 1890's and early 1900's they were hunted near extinction with less than 2,000 remaining. The northern sea otter subspecies (E. lutris kenyoni), is found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency responsible for maintaining healthy populations of sea otters. Today, sea otters are protected by law. Why is the sea otter endangered? This southern population was sluggishly yet steadily expanding, and its future looked promising until otters started getting entangled in gillnets and drowning.