Sea otters are the smallest and most recently evolved of all marine mammals. There are three subspecies: the southern (California) sea otter, northern (Alaska) sea otter, and the Asian sea otter.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducts southern sea otter counts twice a year. The Spring 2004 census counted 2,824 otters, a 10% increase in number from the Fall 2003 count. To be removed from the Endangered Species List, the number must be an average of 3,090 animals for three years. It is estimated that millions of otters existed along the California coast before widespread hunting for their pelts took them almost to extinction during the 19th century. These few thousand otters counted in Spring 2004 are the remaining descendants of those millions.
We would have nicknamed him "Targ" but he had a name by the keepers at the Santa Ana Zoo.
One of the smallest of the New World monkeys, the golden lion tamarin is native to a limited area of southeast Brazil, where they enjoy life in the middle layers of the rainforest. They make nests in the hollows of old trees. In the forest, the golden lion tamarin eats insects, spiders, eggs and fruit. These tiny animals are known for their brilliant, golden long manes. It is normal for the female to produce most frequently twins or triplets, which are raised by the whole family group.
Due to the destruction of the Brazilian forest, the golden lion tamarin has lost almost 98 percent of its habitat. All golden lion tamarins are owned by the Brazilian government. Many zoos are breeding tamarins to release back to the wild.
At 3 - 5 ½ pounds, the island fox is the smallest fox species in the United States and is the only carnivore endemic to California. 1-2 pups are born annually in a den located in natural cavities, rock piles, log piles, or in dense vegetation. Island foxes are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects as well as mice, birds, eggs, and fruit.
San Miguel Island - Extinct in the Wild Santa Rosa Island - Extinct in the Wild Santa Cruz Island - Critically Endangered San Nicolas Island - Vulnerable Santa Catalina Island - Critically Endangered San Clemente Island - Endangered
Information and pictures courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacfic, Santa Ana Zoo, and Orange County Zoo websites.
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