Sea Otter Skull

SEA OTTER

Enhydra lutris

   
PAGE INDEX
1. Lateral view
2. Anterior view 
3. Ventral view, showing teeth
4. Details
5. Web Links & Refs

Such an amazing creature ! Found off the coasts of the N Pacific, sea otters are almost entirely aquatic, and feed on molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins. This diet presumably explains the remarkable adaptation of the molars, but not the shape of the nasal cavity.

1.Sea Otter Skull, lateral view.

1.Sea Otter Skull, anterior view.

1.Sea Otter Skull, ventral view.
(1st premolars missing)

Details of Specimens Illustrated

Image 1

Sea Otter Enhydra lutris

Sex - male

Stage - adult

Source - photo courtesy of private collector

Measurements

Overall length

133mm

Zygomatic width

99mm

Scientific Name : Enhydra - from the Greek for "living in water", lutris - from the Latin lutra "otter".

Web Links & References: University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web
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	1.Sea Otter Skull, lateral view.
	1.Sea Otter Skull, anterior view.
	1.Sea Otter Skull, ventral view. (1st premolars missing)