Sea Otters are considered a keystone species (meaning they have a great impact on their ecosystem), so numerous conservation efforts are underway to ensure the survival their survival. This is due to commercial fishing, oil spills, and their main predator, the Great White Shark. Unfortunately, these otterly adorable furballs are listed as an endangered species. They can dive down to 250 ft, and hold their breath for over 5 minutes to find the crustaceans that they eat. Sea Otters eat up to 25% of their body weight every day. The other part is how they swim on their backs and balance snacks on their stomach. Their furry hides are part of what makes them so cute. These omnivores are the largest member of the weasel family, but the smallest marine mammal in all of North America. Size: Length: 3.3-4.9 ft Weight: 31-99 lbs.ĭiet: Sea urchins, clams, mussels, and crabs
Habitat: Northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean READ MORE: Arctic Animals: 30 Species of Arctic Birds, Mammals & Whales Sea Otters in Alaska (Kenai National Park) by Bret Love 3. These creatures are also increasingly threatened by climate change, hunting, and oil production, all of which are big problems for the Arctic region on the whole. Here, they must fend off Polar Bears and Killer Whales, their primary predators.
They are not quite as common as Bottlenose Dolphins, and can only be found in the Arctic regions. Belugas are the only member of their genus, Delphinapterus, and their closest relative is the Narwhal. They are typically pale white all over and have distinctly shaped heads.Īs social animals, they usually travel in pods. The Beluga Whale is a popular sea creature known for its unique appearance. (adult)Ĭonservation Status: Least Concern, with some sub-populations Endangered Size: Length: 14 ft (adult) Weight: 3,000 lbs. READ MORE: Saving Asian Animals: The 10 Best Wildlife Conservation Programs Beluga Whale, photo by Steve Snodgrass via CC BY 2.0 2. Their short beaks are also very different from those of other dolphins, with 12-19 peg-like teeth on each side of their jaws. Unlike any other dolphin, the Irrawaddy Dolphin’s u-shaped blowhole is placed on the left of the midline and opens towards the front. They’re primarily found in the Irrawaddy River of Myanmar. Interestingly, their genetic make-up is more closely related to the orca, a.k.a. With their formidable foreheads, rounded faces, and broad flippers, this adorable Southeast Asian species look like some anime artist’s cartoonish rendering of a dolphin. Size: Length: 4.8 to 9 feet Weight: 420 poundsĬonservation Status: Endangered, population decreasing
Habitat: Shallow, near-shore tropical and subtropical marine waters
0 kommentar(er)
