Summary
Sea otters have no blubber, yet stay warm in icy water thanks to the densest fur of any animal. Deep Look zooms in on the millions of hairs that trap a warm layer of air against the otter's skin.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Talk about it
A sea otter stays warm with fur, not fat. Its incredibly dense hair traps a blanket of air next to the skin, keeping cold water out.
- How does a sea otter stay warm without a layer of blubber?
- What does the trapped air in the fur do for the otter?
- Why must a sea otter groom its fur so carefully?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: fur, insulation, trap, structure.
Try it: Put on a fuzzy glove and a thin one, then feel cold water through each (carefully). Write how trapped air keeps the otter warm.