Sea otters mating. The male holds the female's head or nose with his jaws during copulation. Visible scars are often present on females from this behavior. Sea otters have a polygynous mating system. Many males actively defend territories and will mate with females that inhabit their territory or seek out females in estrus if no territory is established. Males and females typically bond for the duration of estrus, or about 3 days. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Landing, California, USA
Image: 21606
Species: Enhydra lutris
Common name: Sea otter
Location: Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Landing, California, USA
Lat/Long: 36° 48' 32.28"N, 121° 47' 9.29"W (Coordinates: 36.80897°, -121.78591°)
Format: Digital 3:2
Copyright © Phillip Colla, all rights reserved worldwide.
Keywords: animal, animalia, california, california sea otter, caniformia, carnivora, chordata, creature, elkhorn slough, elkhorn slough national estuarine research reserve, enhydra, enhydra lutris, lutrinae, lutris, mammal, mammalia, marine mammal, monterey bay national marine sanctuary, moss landing, mustelid, mustelidae, national marine sanctuaries, nature, otter, sea otter, usa, vertebrata, vertebrate, wildlife
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