Otter Conservation and Behavior Quiz

What role do otters play in the kelp forest ecosystem?

• They are predators of large fish.

• They help control the population of sea urchins.

• They provide shelter for marine birds.

• They are a primary food source for sharks.

Why do otters consume a large amount of food daily?

• They have a slow metabolism.

• They need to store fat for winter.

• They lack blubber and rely on a high metabolism to stay warm.

• They are preparing for hibernation.

What is a significant challenge in keeping otters in captivity?

• They are prone to diseases.

• They require a lot of space.

• They are very expensive to feed.

• They do not adapt well to new environments.

What was a major issue with early attempts to rehabilitate orphaned otter pups?

• The pups were too aggressive.

• The pups became too accustomed to humans.

• The pups could not swim properly.

• The pups refused to eat.

How do surrogate female otters help orphaned pups?

• By teaching them to hunt in groups.

• By introducing them to other marine animals.

• By providing them with blubber.

• By teaching them essential life skills.

What is a critical behavior that surrogate mothers teach the pups?

• How to swim long distances.

• How to build nests.

• How to groom and forage for food.

• How to communicate with humans.

Why is it important for otters not to become accustomed to humans?

• They need to remain wild to survive in their natural habitat.

• They might become aggressive.

• They might become dependent on human food.

• They could lose their natural hunting skills.

What is one of the procedures done during health checks before releasing otters?

• Introducing them to other otters.

• Evaluating their stable isotopes from whiskers.

• Training them to find food in captivity.

• Teaching them to recognize predators.

What is the purpose of wearing gloves and capes during health checks?

• To make the otters feel more comfortable.

• To keep the handlers warm.

• To prevent the otters from recognizing human form and scent.

• To protect the otters from diseases.

What is the ultimate goal for the orphaned otters raised by surrogates?

• To become part of a zoo exhibit.

• To be released back into the wild.

• To be used for scientific research.

• To be trained for marine shows.