Marine biologists are investigating the diet of northern sea otters

The press service of the Kronotsky Reserve reported that scientists intend to study the diet of northern sea otters living on its territory and in the South Kamchatka Federal Reserve. The number of these unique animals is steadily decreasing in the Far East. Biologists suggest that this may be due to a reduction in the food supply due to climate change or red tides.

Sea otters mainly feed on benthic invertebrates (mollusks, crabs, sea urchins), less often fish. The diet depends on the habitat and may vary in different parts of the extended range – from the Southern Kuril Islands, along the eastern coast of Kamchatka to the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Commander Islands.

"Employees of the Kronotsky Reserve plan to collect sea otter biomaterials on Utashud Island in the South Kamchatka Reserve and in the area of Cape Olga in the Kronotsky Reserve. There are deposits of rare animals. The results of the research will allow us to assess the current diet and the state of the sea otter food supply and understand whether this is a limiting factor for their population," the report says.