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Reproductive Behavior of Male Sea Otters

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Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sea Otters and Polar Bears

Part of the book series: Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals ((EBEMM))

Abstract

The reproductive system of sea otters is resource defense polygyny in which males defend territories containing resources that attract females. As a result, the predominant trait of social-sexual behavior is segregation by age and sex. Males attempt to mate with females that enter their territories, but they cannot control their movements. An estrous female that is sexually receptive to the male may form a consortship, which typically lasts ~3 days and involves multiple copulations. Copulatory behavior induces reflex ovulation in females. Key components of male sea otter reproductive behavior include sexual segregation, resource defense polygyny, aquatic mating, and no participation in rearing offspring. The reproductive system of sea otters is more similar to some species of Phocidae (true seals) than to other species of otters, likely because mating occurs at sea.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    However, in regions where subsistence hunting is prevalent (e.g., Southeast Alaska), individuals appear to associate small vessels with hunting risk and close approach is typically not possible (Raymond et al. 2019; H. Pearson unpub. obs.).

  2. 2.

    As mating behavior may not result in fertilization, copulations were used as a proxy for reproductive success.

  3. 3.

    While females have been observed to copulate with more than one male during estrus, it is unknown if fertilization was successful (Riedman and Estes 1990). The presence of sperm competition in sea otters is unknown.

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Acknowledgments

Funding in support of this work was provided by the Earthwatch Institute, the National Science Foundation, Texas A&M University, and the University of Alaska Southeast. We acknowledge the assistance of A. Gilkinson, T. Wright, R. Wolt, S. Osterrieder, F. Weltz, G. Davis, M. Davis, and C. Pearson.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Sciences, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK, USA

    Heidi C. Pearson

  2. Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA

    Randall W. Davis

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  1. Heidi C. Pearson
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Correspondence to Heidi C. Pearson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX, USA

    Randall W. Davis

  2. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, CA, USA

    Anthony M. Pagano

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Pearson, H.C., Davis, R.W. (2021). Reproductive Behavior of Male Sea Otters. In: Davis, R.W., Pagano, A.M. (eds) Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sea Otters and Polar Bears. Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66796-2_6

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