"Otters are often found at zoos and aquariums, but how do these playful animals live in the wild? With 13 different otter species, some are best suited for fresh water and gracefully move on land and in the water; others prefer the kelp forest of the sea using tools to eat their favorite foods. There are many similarities between river otters and sea otters, but there are also vast differences. Explore fascinating facts about these playful, aquatic mammals, meet the species, and awe at the adorable photos in this installment of the Compare and Contrast Book series"--

"Captivating. . . . a full portrait of this adorable and ecologically important animal." —Publishers Weekly A science journalist travels the Pacific Coast in search of sea otters in this entertaining and inspiring book on the importance and history of this charismatic endangered species Sea otters—the adorable, furry marine mammals often seen floating on their backs holding hands—reveal the health of the coastal ecosystem along the Pacific Ocean. Once hunted for their prized fur in the 18th and 19th centuries, these animals nearly went extinct. Only now, nearly a century after hunting ceased, are populations showing stable growth in some places. Sea otters are a keystone species in coastal areas, feeding on sea urchins, clams, crab, and other crustaceans. When they are present, kelp beds are thick and healthy, providing homes for an array of sea life. When otters disappear, sea urchins take over, and the kelp disappears along with all the creatures that live in the beds. Now, thanks to their protected status, sea otters are making a comeback in California, Washington, and Alaska. In this hopeful book, science writer Todd McLeish embarks on an epic journey along the Pacific Coast—traveling from California to Alaska—to track the status, health, habits, personality, and viability of sea otters, and reveals how conservationists brought them back from the brink of extinction.

A mother sea otter gives birth to her pup in the ocean. Then, as she floats on her back on the water’s surface, she lifts the little pup up from the water so it can feed and sleep while snuggled into her warm, furry chest. So begins the life of this marine mammal. In Sea Otter Pups, children will read how this little water baby receives its mother’s undivided attention until it has learned the swimming, diving, and hunting skills it needs to leave mom and go off to begin its adult life. The colorful interior spreads and gorgeous photos of sea otter pups are sure to delight emergent readers.

More than 300 kinds of North American animals are listed as endangered or threatened -- at risk of dying out. These books present the stories of some of these animals and the efforts being made to save them.

Sea otters once ruled the Pacific Ocean, but the fur trade of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries brought this predator to near extinction. Today they’re slowly coming back from the brink, and scientists are learning more about their pivotal role as one of nature’s keystone species. This book looks at the history, biology, behavior and uncertain future of sea otters. Author and photojournalist Isabelle Groc takes us into the field: watching sea otter rafts off the British Columbia coast from a kayak, exploring what makes their fur coats so special, understanding how their voracious appetites are helping kelp forests thrive and, ultimately, learning how sea otters are leaving their mark (or paws) on every part of the ecosystem. They might be one of the most adorable creatures in the ocean, but kids will discover how their survival is key to a rich, complex and connected ecosystem.

It's possible to safely see fascinating wildlife—if you know what to look for and where, and if you understand what you see—whether you are far from civilization or right in your own backyard. Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest includes illustrated descriptions for more than 180 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates most common in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, northern California, Idaho, and western Montana. With more than 460 photographs, hundreds of scale drawings, and more than 90 distribution maps. This book belongs in every pack and is a must-have for nature lovers of all ages and skill levels.

Lounging atop a kelp bed, cradling a pup, or plucking morsels from a prickly urchin, sea otters are endearing creatures. SEA OTTERS captures them at their best, tracing their life cycle and behavior, and describing their brush with extinction. Including where to see them in the wild, this book is one of the most charming and complete on the subject. Color photos throughout.