Death Metal Grunge Apocalypse - Sea Otters

Judas Priest once threatened that “mercenary battalions are poised to strike us down.”  One can only hope they were speaking to mankind and not Enhydra lutris (commonly known as the Sea Otter).  Sea Otters are marine mammals native to the coast of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean.  Sea Otters are the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals.  However, do not bring this up in polite conversation.  They are quite sensitive and find it quite offensive.  Despite being the heaviest amongst weasels, Sea Otters form of insulation is not from fat or “blubber”.  They insulate themselves with an exceptionally thick coat of fur.  Their fur is, in fact, the densest in the animal kingdom.  They would appreciate it if you didn’t try to make a fur coat from it.  Apparently, they are quite attached to their fur.  Don’t let the name SEA Otter fool you.  These mammals are quite capable of walking on land… however most of them prefer to live exclusively in the ocean.   Sea Otters are capable of speeds up to 5.6 mph underwater.  A little known fact about Sea Otters is that when they DO emerge from their watery home, they seem to have a passion for drag racing.  Drag racing is a competition in which vehicles compete to be the first to cross a set finish line, usually from a dead stop, and in a straight line.   Sea Otters are among the top drag racers in the North Pacific Ocean.  One otter went as far to say “I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED!  And a good sea urchin.”  Speaking of sea urchins, these speed demons enjoy a multitude of marine cuisine (100 different prey species to be exact).  They enjoy, amongst other marine invertebrates, sea urchins, clams, mussels, abalone, mollusks, crustaceans, and snails.  Like many Americans, Sea Otters prefer larger meal portions.  However, they differ in the fact that they have a speedy metabolic rate and have to eat 25 to 38% of their own body weight.  Adult and independent juvenile otters forage for food alone.  Sea Otters tend to rest together in single-sex groups called rafts.  The “rafts” can contain up to 100 otters.  Male Sea Otters’ “rafts” are larger than female ones.  Another fun fact is that to keep from drifting out to sea when resting, Sea Otters may wrap themselves in kelp.  “They’re just like snuggies… only better” a young otter said when asked about the comfort of kelp.  “Generations tremble, clinging face to face, helping situation to end the perfect race.”  Well Judas Priest, you are right to say that “the perfect race” or Sea Otters are almost ended.  They are endangered.  Which is a shame because they are a key stone species (no, they are not from Pennsylvania).