Sea Otters by Jenny Ngoc Mai https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u Keystone Specie: Kelp Forest en-us 2022-10-26 00:40:28 UTC 2025-11-16 01:15:06 UTC hello@padlet.com https://www.eaglewingtours.com/app/uploads/2020/05/18-10-28_0002-sea-otter-BB-web-1024x512.jpg Food Web 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356364627 The sea otter is generally a secondary consumer. Kelp is eaten by sea urchins and kelp crab. The sea urchins are then eaten by horn sharks, sheepshead fish, sunflower sea stars, and sea otters. The sea otter eat sea urchins, kelp crab, clams, mussels, sea snails, sunflower sea stars, and abalone. The horn shark is eaten by the northern elephant seal. ]]> 2022-10-26 00:49:55 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356364627 Sea Otter 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356371782 The sea otters are the smallest marine mammals and they stand at about 4ft tall. The male sea otters average up to 70lbs while the female otters average up to 50lbs.  The average lifespan of the southern sea otters is about 15-20 years. At the age of 4-5 years old, female otters can now give birth. Majority of mating occurs between October and January and then in March to April. Generally the female otter only gives birth to 1 pup. The female otter is pregnant for about 6 months then takes care of her pup for another 6 months. ]]> 2022-10-26 00:55:27 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356371782 Works Cited 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356397788 Browning, Jennifer, and Gillian Lyons. “5 Reasons to Protect Kelp, the West Coast's Powerhouse Marine Algae.” The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Pew Charitable Trusts, 27 May 2020, www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/05/27/5-reasons-to-protect-kelp-the-west-coasts-powerhouse-marine-algae#:~:text=Kelp%20forests%20provide%20food%2C%20nursery,as%20West%20Coast%20marine%20wildlife. 

Fisheries, NOAA. “Kelp Forest Habitat on the West Coast.” NOAA, 2 Nov. 2021, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/habitat-conservation/kelp-forest-habitat-west-coast#:~:text=Though%20rapid%20growth%20rates%20help,kelp%20to%20remove%20entire%20forests. 

“Kelp Forest.” Montereybayaquarium.org, www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/habitats/kelp-forest. 

“Sea Otter.” Montereybayaquarium.org, www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/sea-otter#:~:text=In%20Monterey%20Bay%2C%20the%20sea,other%20species%20and%20ecosystems%20nearby. 

“Sea Otters Keep Remaining California Kelp Forests Alive.” NSF, beta.nsf.gov/news/sea-otters-keep-remaining-california-kelp-forests#:~:text=Sea%20otters%20have%20long%20been,which%20are%20voracious%20kelp%20grazers. 

“Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra Lutris Nereis): U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.” FWS.gov, www.fws.gov/species/southern-sea-otter-enhydra-lutris-nereis. 
]]> 2022-10-26 01:14:49 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356397788 Influence on their Environment 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356407417 The sea otters are a secondary consumer, predator which helps the kelp forest stay balanced by eating the sea urchins. The sea otters keep the sea urchin population in check. By doing so the sea otters are unconsciously allowing the growth of kelp which ultimately provides shelter to other sea life. The kelp forests fosters protection form predators and storms, are a food source, and server as nurseries. Without the sea otters to keep the viciously eating kelp sea urchins in check, the kelp forest ecosystem would shut down. There would be such a large amount of sea urchins that there would be no more food for the kelp crab. When the sea urchins have out competed with the crabs, there would not be anymore kelp for even the sea urchins to feast on. When there is no more kelp protected by sea otters, the sea urchins too would starve and go extinct. Moreover, the species that too feed on the sea urchins and kelp crab would too go extinct eventually. The ecosystem would collapse.]]> 2022-10-26 01:22:05 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356407417 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356417658 With sea otters.]]> 2022-10-26 01:29:15 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356417658 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356420107 Without sea otters. 
(Notice lack of biodiversity)]]> 2022-10-26 01:31:02 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356420107 Endangerment 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356440902 The Monterey Bay kelp forests are not endangered yet but they will be since their sea otters are endangered. The sea otters that are endangered are a crucial part of the eco system and food web. Without the sea otters, the kelp forest would ultimately diminish to an urchin barren or to nothing at all. ]]> 2022-10-26 01:47:13 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356440902 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356443687 2022-10-26 01:49:25 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356443687 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356443831 2022-10-26 01:49:32 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356443831 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356454322 2022-10-26 01:58:07 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356454322 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356454854 2022-10-26 01:58:36 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356454854 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356459491 2022-10-26 02:02:16 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2356459491 Kelp Forest 24jmai2 https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2359693719 Location: The kelp forests can be mostly found in along the Eastern Pacific Coast, from Alaska and Canada to the waters of Baja, California.
(Monterey Bay Kelp Forest: 36.6185° N, 121.9020° W)
Climate:  Kelp grows most successful in area with great upwelling, where the water is high in nutrients and is cold. Kelps grows best in water that is 42-72 degrees Fahrenheit. The water must be clear so that the sunlight can go through and reach the floor. If the water is even 20 degrees Celsius, then the kelp forests will now thrive as much. 
Plant Life:  Kelp forests consists of rapidly growing brown algae. The kelp forest supports various fish, invertebrates, and marine animals. ]]> 2022-10-27 21:05:44 UTC https://padlet.com/24jmai2/krurq3j18xi8mv5u/wish/2359693719