Sea Otters:Your Connection to Conservation

Ocean Explorers Observation Guide

©2018, Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. All rights reserved.

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SEA OTTER FEEDING10:30 a.m. • 1:30 p.m. • 3:30 p.m.

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KELP FOREST FEEDING11:30 a.m. • 4:00 p.m.

What did you learn?

• Ecosystems have carrying capacities which limit the maximum population size of a species that can be supported in that ecosystem.

• Sea otters are keystone species in the kelp forest and the Elkhorn Slough.

• Over a hundred years ago, people hunted sea otters to near extinction. While now protected, the California sea otter population is not growing as fast as it should be.

• The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program is committed to helping sea otter populations through research, monitoring, rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea otters.

How can you help care for sea otters?

• Ocean conservation issues, like those impacting California sea otters, are complex and can feel overwhelming, yet our actions can make a positive difference!

• Learn more about Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program.

• Stay connected to the Monterey Bay Aquarium through the website MontereyBayAquarium.org or download the app.

• Visit the otters on the Aquarium’s webcam.

• Use the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch pocket guide or app to make informed seafood choices. To learn more visit: SeafoodWatch.org

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S E A O T T E R S R E V I E W C O N S E R V A T I O N C O N N E C T I O N S

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Studying sea otters, both in the wild and at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, helps us to better understand and protect them.

Observe the otters closely.

1. Describe one otter adaptation you observe.

2. Why might this be an important adaptation for the otter’s survival?

See if you can observe wild sea otter behaviors from our Wildlife Viewing Station on our outside decks! Use the scopes for an up-close look.

Many animals that live near the coastline face tough conservation issues.

Choose one of the conservation issues to investigate (using the interactive exhibits). Circle your choice.

Drought

Development

Overfishing

1. What animals have been affected?

2. Are there similar challenges affecting the Monterey Bay?

3. What is one action you can take?

¡ V I V A B A J A ! S E A O T T E R E X H I B I T

flipper tags

Flipper tags and internal radio tags help Sea Otter Program members track and monitor released otters.

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Sea otters and humans both rely on biotic and abiotic resources from the wetlands ecosystem.

Look closely at the nature center exhibit. With the members of your group discuss the resources that sea otters would use in the wetlands ecosystem. List two resources you discussed:

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N A T U R E C E N T E R

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BONUS: How does an ecosystem meet the needs of its inhabitants? When would it be unable to do so?

Sea otters and humans both rely on biotic and abiotic resources from the kelp forest ecosystem.

Look closely at the kelp forest exhibit. With the members of your group discuss the resources that sea otters would use in the kelp forest. List two resources you discussed:

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2.

K E L P F O R E S T

BONUS: What organisms are competing for resources in the kelp forest ecosystem?