A Sea Otter is a Bundle of Joy

Summary

The article is a first-person narrative from the perspective of Olivia, a sea otter in Monterey Bay, California, detailing her life, habits, and ecological importance.

Abstract

The article, narrated by "Olivia" the sea otter, provides a captivating glimpse into the life of these marine mammals. Olivia describes her beauty and the attention she receives from tourists, her diet and grooming habits, and her role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem. She emphasizes the importance of sea otters in controlling sea urchin populations to protect kelp forests and in keeping eelgrass healthy by managing crab and sea slug numbers. Despite appearing to float lazily, Olivia explains the busyness of her daily life and the challenges sea otters face as an endangered species due to their limited range and the impact of human activities.

Opinions

Olivia expresses a deep appreciation for her own appearance and the admiration she receives from onlookers.
She takes pride in her grooming routine, which is essential for maintaining her waterproof fur, and clarifies that it's not vanity but a natural necessity.
Olivia seems to enjoy her diet, particularly crab meat, and highlights the high metabolism that requires her to consume a significant amount of food daily.
She acknowledges the importance of sea otters in the marine ecosystem, suggesting a sense of responsibility and purpose in her role as a keystone species.
There is a clear concern for the conservation status of sea otters, with a call for awareness about the threats they face from human activities.
The author, through Olivia, conveys a sense of wonder and joy about being a sea otter, indicating a strong emotional connection to these creatures.

Dancing Elephant’s Press prompt 22 of 52:

Is there any entity on this earth that I would desire to be? Oh, yes, there is, even for one day. I have always been in love with sea otters. So much so that I did a watercolor painting of one.

I’m Olivia, a sea otter living in Monterey Bay, California.

Aren’t I the most beautiful sea mammal you’ve ever seen? I hang out near the wharves in Monterey. And I bask in the apt attention of tourists. ❤️

They’re sure to exclaim, google-eyed, “What a beautiful otter!”

I must admit, I am a sight to see. My silvery white face is a contrast to my sleek dark fur. I float on the water in a lazy fashion. I often have a luscious crab resting on my chest. My hands use a rock to crack the shell with skill. Then I can eat the pink meat inside. There is nothing finer. Those of you who savor crab meat yourselves are drooling. I know.

My dense fur coat keeps me warm. I don’t have a thick layer of blubber like other sea mammals. To keep my luxurious fur waterproof, I spend hours grooming myself. It’s not that I’m vain. Cleaning releases natural oils from my skin. Fluffing the hairs traps air bubbles which insulate me from the cold water. Much like a goose-down jacket traps air to keep you humans warm.

My high metabolism also keeps me warm. I have to eat a quarter of my body weight every day. That maintains my internal temperature at 100 degrees. Other delicacies I consume are snails, urchins, clams, mussels, and abalone. Am I whetting your appetite?

To reach the crabs I can dive to 600 feet underwater. 6 to 7 minutes is the most I can endure. Then I have to come up for air. I depend on the sea for food. Although I can climb on rocks, my hind webbed feet function better in water.

You may think I float lazily all day long. Nothing is further from the truth. I am very busy.

I hang out in kelp forests or among eelgrass in estuaries. Sea urchins abound in kelp. My grazing keeps their numbers under control. Otherwise, the kelp would not exist. I have an important role in ensuring the kelp survives. For they support a rich community of plants and animals.

I keep the eelgrass healthy by eating crabs that consume sea slugs. My foraging keeps both populations in balance. Sea slugs eat algae that can smother the grasses, which fish need for food and shelter.

My relatives play an important role in keeping ocean ecosystems healthy. We have a limited range around Monterey Bay. Thus we’re considered an endangered species. The impact of human activity doesn’t help us either.

I hope you’ve enjoyed spending a day with me in the ocean.

This article is a response to the prompt put forth by DEP editor, Dr. Gabriella Korosi. “If you could be anything, what would you be?”

Please read this article by Pamela Oglesby. It portrays the reality of pure love for another person.

A Sea Otter is a Bundle of Joy

Dancing Elephant’s Press prompt 22 of 52:

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Thank you to Ravyne Hawke for providing the quote listed below as a prompt for March that can be fiction, poetry or an…