Sea Otter Skull Replica

Description

Sea otter skull replica measures 5.7 x 3.8 x 2.6 inches. The Enhydra lutris is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast from Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History specimen. 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The sea otter is a highly intelligent marine animal. They live across coastal areas of the North Pacific Ocean. This range stretches from northern Japan and Russia across to Alaska, Canada, Washington, and California.

These animals are very playful and inquisitive. They are famous for swimming on their backs and use stones as tools to break open hard abalone shells. Humans hunted them for their thick fur and they became endangered. They are now protected and returning to stable population levels.

Sea otters do not have blubber to stay warm. Instead, they rely entirely on their exceptionally thick fur. The fur is the densest fur of any animal. It has up to 1,000,000 strands of hair per square inch. The coat consists of long, waterproof guard hairs and a short undercoat.

Cold water stays completely away from their skin. This system limits heat loss and the fur stays thick year-round because they shed it gradually. They do not have a distinct molting season.

Sea otters have a massive appetite, so much so that they must eat roughly 25% to 30% of their body weight every day. Their main diet consists of sea urchins, clams, and abalone. They also hunt for mussels, marine snails, squid and octopuses.

Scientific Classification

• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mustelidae
• Subfamily: Lutrinae
• Genus: Enhydra
• Species: E. lutris
• Binomial name: Enhydra lutris
• Conservation status: Endangered

Your guests will slip right on into this exhibit. They can view the sea otter skeleton alongside the darling spotted seal skull replica and the beautiful ringed seal skull replica. Include the vicious leopard seal skull replica for a thrilling yet enduring visit.