Post mortem studies of sea otters, Enhydra lutris L., in California

Morejohn, G. Victor and Ames, Jack A. and Lewis, David B. (1975) Post mortem studies of sea otters, Enhydra lutris L., in California. Long Beach, CA, California Department of Fish and Game, (Marine Resources Technical Report, 30)

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Abstract

Dead sea otters found on or near beaches in central California from January 1968 through June 1974 were collected for study. Necropsies were conducted on many of these carcasses. Sea otter mortalities are related to: (1) area of recovery; (2) sex; (3) relative age; (4) general cause of death; and (5) sea surface roughness. Selected specific aspects of necropsies are summarized. Tables for estimating weight from total length and estimating total length from tail length and foot length are given. Organ weights are discussed. Criteria for establishing relative age based on degree of fusion of cranial sutures, eruption and wear of dentition, and development of the glenoid fossa are given. A method of estimating relative age of male otters is given based on baculum length or volume. Methods useful for sexing dissociated skeletal remains based on osteological differences in pelves are presented. (87pp.)

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