Return of the Sea Otter: The Story of the Animal That Evaded Extinction on the Pacific Coast

Sea otters are “remarkable creatures who exert a dramatic positive influence on the health of at least two very different marine ecosystems,” proclaims science writer McLeish (Basking with Humpbacks) in this charming volume that examines the creature’s great popularity with the general public. Early chapters discuss the physical make-up of otters and explore how their “unique physiology and tool use” help them stand out among other mammals. McLeish also looks at the ways in which sea-otter numbers have fluctuated over the past few centuries, primarily due to the huge increase in global demand for their pelts during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that nearly led to the creature’s extinction. Subsequent sections of the book recall McLeish’s more recent visits with sea-otter rescuers and researchers along the West Coast. Experiences in Monterey, Calif., home to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, prove especially captivating. He also highlights the significant work done every day by biologists, veterinarians, and volunteers who study sea otter “movement patterns, social interactions, behavior, diet, and reproductive success.” McLeish does well to provide a full portrait of this adorable and ecologically important animal. Color photos. [em](Mar.) [/em]