Tag: Endangered species

Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris)

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Along the picturesque shores of the Bay Area in California lives an endangered population of Southern Sea Otters, a keystone species native to the California coastline. Sea Otters help maintain the balance in the vital kelp forest ecosystems by controlling the population of sea urchins that would otherwise wreak havoc in these forests. They also serve an essential function by being extremely cute and holding hands while they sleep.

Unlike other marine mammals, Sea Otters lack blubber and depend on their thick fur coat to maintain their body temperature. They require an immense amount of energy to regulate their body temperature and thus need to consume 20-30% of their body mass. If you encounter them in while in the ocean, maintain your distance and let them rest so they can be nice and warm!

Clemmys guttata (Spotted Turtle)

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On our kayaking trip recently through the pinelands, my wife and I were fortunate enough to spot not one but three Spotted turtles! I could only photograph the two instances, but we were lucky to have spotted them multiple times. These turtles are now classified as endangered and listed as Species of Special Concern by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

  • A basking turtle
  • It was interested in what we were upto.
Photos taken from afar with not great resolution.

Habitat fragmentation and destruction are important factors that have lead to the decline of this small turtle species, its appeal among the pet trade has worsened the ground reality. The turtle has a range from Maine in the north, to Florida in the south. Disjunct populations exist in Canada and Illinois.