Over the past few years however, we have had the exciting chance to view true sea otters near Victoria, as an increase in their population has brought them closer to home. Sea otter floating in kelp. Sea otter fur is the densest … River otters can live up to five years. u12495868 Fotosearch Stock Photography and Stock Footage helps you find the perfect photo or footage, fast! The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. Ollie the sea otter. Sea otters are perfectly adapted to living in their cold water environment here off the west coast of British Columbia. We also saw loads of sealions and harbour seals. Their interesting anatomy and key role within their ecosystem also make them a popular mammal to study. From this unique perspective, your guides describe Victoria’s historic waterways that make up the downtown and the working harbour. This year, during many of our whale watching excursions, we have had the amazing opportunity to view these adorable marine mammals close to Victoria. Dark brown with sleek fur and slender profile and a long tail. Their common habitat is lakes, streams and coastal marshes. The river otter has a few natural enemies: wolves, foxes, and raptors. They mostly hunt by diving and chasing in the water and … Due to their thick fur, sea otters became a major target of the maritime fur trade in the 18th and 19th century. Nevertheless, we are thrilled to see that the sea otter population is increasing around Victoria, and hope this adorable new addition to our area is here to stay! Victoria Harbour is a known hot spot for persistent organic pollutants and there is ongoing concern that contaminants in the marine environment could be negatively … River otters can be found throughout Canada and mid-southern US. Sea Otters River Otters; 22-32 KG (50-70) lbs. Since the beginning of the summer season here in Victoria, we have had many sightings of one of our cute and mischievous neighbors in the harbour: River Otters! Known as a keystone species, sea otters have a greater effect on their environment than other organisms within that system. It is a little confusing, though, because the species most often seen in these waters is the River Otter (Lutra canadensis). Not only are sea otters one of the most adorable mammals found in our ocean, they also play an essential role in their marine ecosystem. Habitat. They usually have dark fur with a lighter belly. Fisherman’s wharf , Victoria. Consider taking a Kayak tour in Victoria Canada. Sealions are massive! As predators within their food web, sea otters help protect important kelp ecosystems by controlling the abundance of herbivorous invertebrates such as sea urchins. Although sea otter populations are continuing to increase around British Columbia, they are not out of the woods quite yet. Show More Therefore, sea otters play a direct role in the survival and protection of many other animals within its ecosystem. Range & Habitat Tours depart from both Fishermans Wharf in Victoria and from the Inner Harbour (foot of Broughton Street). 1. The pelage (covering, or coat, of a mammal, whether of wool, fur, or hair) is brown or reddish brown. By protecting the kelp from being entirely consumed by sea urchins, kelp forests are able to flourish and remove carbon, which they use for photosynthesis. Fisherman's Wharf is located just a few blocks west of the Inner Harbour. This species is one of the most common mammals along the beaches and rocky shores, but … It is a little confusing, though, because the species most often seen in these waters is the River Otter (Lutra canadensis). Canadian Coast Guard and First Nations continue to contain the active oil slick caused by the historic Bligh Island shipwreck leak off Northwest Vancouver Island. Amazingly, sea otters are one of the few mammals on Earth which utilize tools to help them feed; a skill which was once thought to be possessed only by humans. woman says she was viciously attacked by a river otter while swimming in one of the province’s lakes earlier this month. Their greatest threats are habitat destruction, pollution in the water, and trapping for fur. Unlike their river otter cousins, sea otters spend almost their entire lives in the water, rarely coming onto dry land. It weighs between 5 to 11 kg (11-25 pounds) and its thick tail is 17 to 18 inches long. They use their sense of touch to find and catch food underwater. ... Victoria, BC. Sea otters rarely venture on land since their movements here are awkward and clumsy. Saved by Marcie Callewaert. They have strong webbed feet for swimming, a long strong tail and thick claws. In B.C., this animal is found in the Georgia Depression and Coast and Mountain ecoprovinces. Sea otters can often be seen using rocks, driftwood, or even empty clam shells to help them break into the tough shells of their prey. In order to withstand the cold water in which they live, sea otters have the greatest density of fur of any mammal. Dark brown/black with a much lighter teddy bear like head and short tail and very thick fluffy fur. Otters are carnivorous and feed on crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, and most commonly, fish. While feeding, sea otters drift on their backs and use their stomachs as a “table” which they can hold their food on while they crack open its shell. SpringTide I – Fishing & Private Charters. They prefer to be near shore or inland waters, as they are more at home on land than they are in the water. Due to a ban in hunting, and reintroduction of a small population back into British Columbia, the sea otter populations off the west coast of Vancouver Island have been slowly increasing. Case Pack: 12 mix/match: Width: 14" Origin: USA: Height: 10" UPC: 6-25012-80164-5: Depth: 2.375" Item # 80164: Weight: 1.61 lbs. Beacon Hill Park is a 75 ha (200 acre) park located along the shore of Juan de Fuca Strait in Victoria, British Columbia.The park is popular both with tourists and locals, and contains a number of amenities including woodland and shoreline trails, two playgrounds, a waterpark, playing fields, a petting zoo, tennis courts, many ponds, and landscaped gardens. They usually have dark fur with a lighter belly. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Using their whiskers they can sense the movement of their prey to aid in catching it. Their diet consists of a wide variety of organisms, including crabs, clams, snails, and sea urchins. They have “delayed implantation,” meaning that after the egg is fertilized it stays in the uterus of the mother for nine months until it attaches and begins to grow. Sea otters can often be seen blowing into their fur and pushing it around with their paws, which traps the air in the hairs around their body and helps keeps them warm. Otters are voracious shellfish eaters. Males weigh 22–45 kg (99 lbs) and are 1.2–1.5 m (5 ft) in length. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). - Check out Tripadvisor members' 36,164 candid photos and videos of Victoria Kayak Sea Otters & River Otters Otters are often seen along the British Columbia coast. 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