This document discusses the taxonomy and characteristics of mammals, with a focus on sea otters and polar bears. It provides details on the taxonomic classification of mammals, as well as orders within the class including Carnivora. Specific information is given on sea otters and polar bears, including their physical traits, habitat ranges, behaviors, life cycles, populations, and environmental threats. References are provided for additional information sources.

1. Class
Mammalia
The larger the individual
organism the fewer the numbers
of each individual species.
Blue Whales vs. Ants

2. Taxonomy
 Kingdom Anamalia
 Phylum Chordata
 Subphylum Vertebrata
 Class Mammalia
 Mamma = breast

3. Orders
 Order Carnivora
– Polar Bears and Sea Otters
 Order Pinnipedia
– Seals, Sea Lions and Walruses
 Order Cetacea
– Whales, Dolphins
 Order Sirenia
– Manatees and Dugongs

4. General Information
 ~ 4600 species
 Contain a 4 chambered heart
 Endothermic
 Breath Air and require oxygen
 Viviparous
 Contain mammary glands
– feed offspring with milk
 Grow hair

5. 4 Traits Shared by all
Mammals
 Streamlined bodies
 Generate internal body heat
 Respiratory system is modified
 Osmotic adaptations (Diffusion of
water)
 Heterodonts
– Odont = teeth

6. Order Carnivora
 Polar Bears and
Sea Otters
 Carne = Flesh
 Vorare = To devour

7. Sea Otters
– Family Mustelidae
– Genus Enhydra
– “Kelp Keepers”
– 3 types of otters
 Alaskan
 Russian (rt)
 California
 All sea otters today came from Big Sur
Colony (south of Monterey)
1

8. Sea Otter Range

9. Sea Otters
 Staying Warm
– ~ 2 hours of grooming per day
 Add air bubbles to hair for insulation
– Average body temp 100°F
– Oil causes body temp to drop
 Reproduction
– For groups called rafts
– Female tends to the offspring
– Mate for 3-5 days
– 1 pup per year
– Gestation ~ 6 months

10. California Sea Otter

11. Sea Otters
 Diving
– Hold breath for ~1-2 minutes
 Up to 5 min.
– Depth is 30-60 feet
 Deepest known is 300feet
 Food
– Eat about 25% of their body weight each day
– Eat crabs and sea urchins…..

12. Alaskan Sea Otter 2

13. Sea Otters
 Size
– Weight = ~60-80lbs
– Length = ~4-5 feet
 Number of species
– 2,500 early 20th century
– 100,000 + are protected today (3)
 Life Span
– ~10 years but can live up to 25 years

14. 4

15. Awww Factor!!

16. Polar Bears
 Family Ursidae (bears)
 Genus Ursus (urs = bear)
 Species maritimus (maritim = sea)
6

17. Polar Bears
 Number
– ~20,000 individuals
– ~ 19 recognized populations
 Size
– Males = 10 feet (reach) and weigh ~1000lbs
– Females = 7 feet (reach) and weigh ~400lbs
 Food
– Usually eat Seals
– May be cannibals (males)
– Do not do regular hibernation

19. Winter Range
6

20. Survival of the Polar
Bears
 Skin
– Clear fur and skin is black and reflects white
– 2 layers of fur
– Thick fat layer
– More likely to over heat
 Semi-aquatic
– Swim over 100 miles
or over a week to find
food
12

21. 10

22. 7

23. Polar Bears
 Life Span
– ~15 year
– Oldest recorded was 42 in a zoo
 Reproduction
– Twins are most common
– 5 litters in their lives
– Gestation ~8 months
11

24. Friends

25. 8

26. References
 Monterey Bay Aquarium
 http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215242/sea_otters.htm
 http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/otters/birth-&-care.htm
 http://www.seaotter-sealion.org/seaotter/factsseaotter.html
 http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/polar-bear/birth-&-care.htm
 http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears/faq
 1- www.2space.net
 2- www.alaska-in-pictures.com
 3- http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sea-otter/
 4- www.zooborns.com
 5-www.worldzootoday.com
 6- www.kidzone.ws/sg/polarbear/polar_bear.htm
 7- www.humanevents.com
 8- http://www.firstpeople.us/pictures/bear/Unexpected-Guests-Polar-Bears-1600x1200.html
 9- www.valdezlink.com
 10- www.blog.webosaurs.com
 11 – www.blog.ospreypacks.com
 12- www.betaroad.com