Enhydra lutris Skull Replica measures 5.7 inches. Enhydra lutris Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. 2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw). Made in USA. Cast from original specimen. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home decor skull, or office decor skull.
The Sea otter or Enhydra lutris is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean.
Adult sea otters typically weigh between 31 and 99 lb., making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals.
Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter’s primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter or Enhydra lutris lives mostly in the ocean.
The Sea otter inhabits nearshore environments, where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various molluscs and crustaceans, and some species of fish.
The sea otter or Enhydra lutris use of rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools.
Unlike most other marine mammals, the sea otter has no blubber and relies on its exceptionally thick fur to keep warm. With up to 150,000 strands of hair per square centimetre, its fur is the densest of any animal.
The fur consists of long, waterproof guard hairs and short underfur; the guard hairs keep the dense underfur layer dry. There is an air compartment between the thick fur and the skin where air is trapped and heated by the body.
Cold water is kept completely away from the Enhydra lutris skin and heat loss is limited. However, a potential disadvantage of this form of insulation is compression of the air layer as the otter dives, thereby reducing the insulating quality of fur at depth when the animal forages.
