The Consrtvation Status is always according to the newes assessment by the IUCN (IUCN Redlist)
Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
Conservation Category:
Endangered, trend decreasing
Threats:
Oil spills
Caught in fishery nets
Diseases
Boat strikes
Orcas
Did you know?
Hold hands while sleeping
Have the densest fur
Help controlling the sea urchin population that could threaten kelp forest,
this is why they are considered a keystone species
Learn more about Polar Bears:
Source: http://www.thelivingocean.net/2012/06/life-of-sea-otter.html
Figure: Sea Otters off the Coast of California
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cypron-Range_Enhydra_lutris.svg
Figure: Distribution of Sea Otters
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sea_otters_holding_hands.jpg
Figure: Two Sea Otters holding hands. They do that in order not to drift apart and away while spleeping
Keystone species:
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionally large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. They play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecosystem communitiy and therefore the funtioning of an ecosystem.
Copyright December 2014; Olivia Lucie Meier, Sharkworld.