Sea Otter Disarticulated Skeleton

$2,900.00

Sea Otters inhabit the seas and kelp beds of North America. The Sea Otter is a highly intelligent, playful, and inquisitive mammal. It is most famous for swimming on its back and using stones to break open the hard shells of mollusks.

Description

Sea Otter Disarticulated Skeleton Replica measures 49 inches. Sea Otter Disarticulated Skeleton is museum quality polyurethane resin cast. Made in USA. Our precise skeleton can be used as a teaching tool, museum skeleton exhibit, home décor skeleton or office décor skeleton. Please note Abalone shell is no longer available with skeleton.

The Sea Otter or Enhydra lutris is a highly intelligent, playful, and inquisitive mammal. It is most famous for swimming on its back and using stones as tools to break open the hard shells of mollusks. Endangered because of its thick fur, this now protected relative of the mink is returning to stable population levels.

The Sea Otter or Enhydra lutris does not have blubber and relies on its exceptionally thick fur to keep warm. With up to 150,000 strands of hair per square centimeter (nearly one million per sq. in), 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.

Cold water is 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 or Enhydra lutris 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 coloration of the pelage is usually deep brown with silver-gray speckles, but it can range from yellowish or grayish brown to almost black. In adults, the head, throat, and chest are lighter in color than the rest of the body.

The Sea Otter or Enhydra lutris displays numerous adaptations to its marine environment. The nostrils and small ears can close. The hind feet, which provide most of its propulsion in swimming, are long, broadly flattened, and fully webbed. The fifth digit on each hind foot is longest, facilitating swimming while on its back, but making walking difficult.

The tail is fairly short, thick, slightly flattened, and muscular. The front paws are short with retractable claws, with tough pads on the palms that enable gripping slippery prey. The bones show osteosclerosis, increasing their density to reduce buoyancy.

Shop More Museum Quality Sea Otter Skulls in Sea Otter Skull Store

Additional information

Weight 25 lbs
Dimensions 49 in
Sea Otter Facts

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Lutrinae
Genus: Enhydra
Species: E. lutris
Binomial name: Enhydra lutris
Conservation status: Endangered. An endangered species is a species which has been categorized as very likely to become extinct in the near future.