Sex-related patterns of postnatal development of sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Monnett C, Rotterman LM, Siniff DB. 1991. Sex-related patterns of postnatal development of sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Journal of Mammalogy. 72(1):37-41
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) pups were studied in Prince William Sound, Alaska, from 1984 to 1987. Dependent pups were captured (n = 157), marked, and recaptured (n = 41 individuals). Radio-transmitters were implanted surgically in the abdomens of 37 pups. Births of males (n = 81) and females (n = 75) were distributed similarly throughout the spring and summer, with a peak occurring during late May. Dependency periods ranged from 76 to 333 days and averaged 170 days for males and 168 days for females. Male pups gained body mass more rapidly than female pups (95 g/day compared to 83 g/day), and differences were maintained from birth until weaning.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Monnett, Charles; Rotterman, Lisa; Siniff, Donald
- Units
- GLBA , KLGO , SEAN , SITK
- Keywords
- Development, Enhydra lutris, Feeding Ecology, Green Island, Juveniles, Prince William Sound, Sex