Episode 12: Thanks, It Has Pockets!

Join us today for all things sea otter! Learn about their adorable social habits, why they’re such a valuable member of the ecosystem, and why their fur coats have pockets! Find us on all the things: http://linktr.ee/bearsandbrewspodcast Links We Discussed: https://awesomeocean.com/top-stories/12-ways-can-help-sea-otters/ https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/sea_otter/index.html https://defenders.org/wildlife/sea-otter https://environmentamerica.org/articles/the-next-steps-to-protect-southern-sea-otters/ https://marine-conservation.org/sea-otters/ https://theotterproject.org/protecting-habitat Sources Cited: Beichman, Annabel C, et al. “Aquatic adaptation and depleted diversity: A deep dive into the genomes of the sea otter and Giant Otter.” Molecular Biology and Evolution, vol. 36, no. 12, 18 June 2019, pp. 2631–2655, https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msz101. Brown, Elizabeth Anne. “Wolves Hunt Sea Otters and Seals, a Startling Find.” Animals, National Geographic, 14 Nov. 2023, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/alaska-wolves-hunting-seals-sea-otters#:~:text=While%20many%20of%20us%20picture,Alaska%2C%20a%20new%20study%20says. “Evolution Fast Track: Otter Genetic History Provides Clues for Future Recovery.” Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 21 June 2019, nationalzoo.si.edu/center-for-conservation-genomics/news/evolution-fast-track-otter-genetic-history-provides-clues-for. Schrodt, Leah. “Sea Otters Are Unlikely Helpers in Our Fight against Climate Change: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.” FWS.Gov, 15 Sept. 2022, www.fws.gov/story/2022-09/sea-otters-are-unlikely-helpers-our-fight-against-climate-change. “Sea Otter Natural History.” Sea Otter Savvy, 2023, www.seaottersavvy.org/sea-otter-natural-history. “Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra Lutris Nereis): U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.” Fish and Wildlife Service, 2022, www.fws.gov/species/southern-sea-otter-enhydra-lutris-nereis. “Southern Sea Otter.” Marine Mammal Commission, 30 Jan. 2023, www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/southern-sea-otter/. Timm-Davis, Lori L., and Christopher D. Marshall. “Taxonomy and evolution of sea otters.” Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sea Otters and Polar Bears, 2021, pp. 11–22, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66796-2_2.