(full paper is archived in the Miller Library)
Title: The population status of the California sea otter as
indicated by prey selection and activity time budgets
Student Author(s): Karrman, Margit J.
Faculty Advisor(s): Estes, James
Pearse, John
Pages: 31
Location: Senior Thesis UC Santa Cruz
1983
Keywords: Enhydra lutris
Abstract: Two sites along the central California coast were
selected as study areas to determine the population status of the
Califonria sea otter. Daily activity time budgets of the sea otter
were gathered at Big Creek, Big Sur and Piedras Blancas near San
Simeon over a 3 month period. Feeding data was collected over a two
week period only at Big Creek. It was found that there were no
significant differences in activity time budgets between the two
study areas, nor any significant differences when compared to other
areasof California. It was concluded that based on activity time
budgets the populations status of the California sea otter seemed
uniform over the entire range. The feeding data indicated that even
though otters at Big Creek were feeding mainly on turban snails and
kelp crabs, abalones were also occuring frequently in the diet.
Dirunal feeding patterns were observed at both study areas.
Based soley on a comparison of Alaskan acivity time budgets to
California, the data seem to indicate that the California population
had not yet reached carrying capactity. Due to conflictiong data,
though, of activity time budgets, food selection, population growth
and survival rates and availability of potential habitat, the
question of whether the California sea otter population has reached
carrying capacity still remained uncertain.