Dietary Variation in Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris)
1986
Estes J.A.
The results of this recent work have altered my view on several aspects of the foraging biology of sea otters. Whereas earlier it appeared that individuals were rather catholic foragers, it now seems that there is considerable variation among highly specialized individuals. This finding has important implications to the ecology and social behaviour of sea otters, particularly in view of the fact that food can be a major limiting resource to this species. What are the costs and benefits of feeding on different prey? In view of the long period of association between mother and pup, is it possible that foraging variation has a matrilineal pattern of inheritance? Is diet related to social rank, and are there consequent differences in reproductive success? These are some of the questions my colleagues and I are now addressing and hope to answer in the years to come
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