Why Did a Sea Otter Take a Hearing Test? Marine Biology EXPLAINED

#otter #seaotter #kpassionate
Do marine mammals like seals, sea otters, and killer whales have good hearing? Scientists found out by giving a SEA OTTER a hearing test! The results are amazing! I'm a marine biologist with over a decade of experience working hands on with sea otters. In this video, I break down how scientists gave a sea otter a hearing test, why they did it, and what it means for all the marine mammals in our oceans.
All the sea otters that I've worked with were rescued and rehabilitated. Many of them were rescued at a very young age, some just days old, and were still dependent pups. Sea otters will stay with their mothers for 6-7 months who teach them essential skills for surviving in the unforgiving Pacific Ocean. These skills include grooming and foraging. Each individual sea otter was assessed by federal agencies such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada or the NOAA in the US. Once it was determined they lacked the skills to survive in the wild, they were deemed non-releasable. But that's okay! They have thrived under human care and have gone on to provide invaluable research that has contributed to the well-being of their wild counterparts.
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[@abrahamnorthhampton3327]

Thanks, KP! I believe Selka (currently on exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium when she's not behind the scenes raising foster pups) was the first sea otter in the Long Marine Lab research program on otter hearing ( ottertory research, lol)

[@KPassionate]

So cool!!

[@REPULSlVECONVULSIVE]

I just love watching Sea Otters more than anything else on this planet...they amaze me... ❤❤❤

[@Sandy-zb6od]

This was great. I never even thought about noise pollution. Thank you. Beautifully done KP and Double

[@grannymcnoodle]

This is fantastic! The research at Santa Cruz 'sounds' really interesting and I love that you took the scientific research and facts on hearing and connected it to environmental issues. I learned so much. Beautifully filmed and edited.

[@KPassionate]

Yay! So glad you liked it! We think it’s our best work yet ❤️

[@grannymcnoodle]

@@KPassionate I think it just might be...until your next one

[@KPassionate]

@@grannymcnoodle that’s the idea!

[@donnaj9964]

This was terrific! During this summer's shipping-lane jams I heard a lot of talk about whether the noise from all of those ships was going to damage the marine community. I don't know what anybody concluded, but I am so glad that research is continuing on ways to protect these beautiful and vital creatures. Our planet needs them--and you as well. Keep up the great work!

[@KPassionate]

Thank you! I'll do my best!

[@luvergirl416]

This was terrific! You and Double make Saturday mornings fun and educational. That ending with that “Did you hear that?” was a bit ironic.

[@KPassionate]

Hahaha didn’t even think of that!

[@silverlily2389]

Lol I love how Joey is in here we all knew how LOUD he is like, we hear you, master! More clams? Yes! 😆 also, I am really fascinated at belugas, like their sounds are mystical to me. Like the mermaids of the marine mammal world ❤

[@sarahcarter-ali4096]

great video, learnt a lot, love the squishy marshmallow belugas. :-)

[@kpmathis71]

Measuring ultrasonic (to us) sound is tough, but I wish it could be measured around the cameras used. I would bet (at least $1) that Katmai is actually hearing the zoom/auto focus motors when the camera is on her).

[@heatherk6445]

Another super interesting episode... thank you!

[@neilstewart2811]

This was a great one for info

[@kimberlyhendricks1229]

Thanks KP! I always learn so much from your videos. (Plus they are always awesomely cute) You and Double do great work!🤩

[@minii7552]

Belugas forehead ❤️❤️❤️❤️!!! Are they smooshy? It looks smooshy. And awww, sea otters sensitive little elf ears ;u;!!!

[@KPassionate]

Beluga melons are very smooshy.

[@federmaus7768]

That was one of your best videos, hands down. Thanks for your work!

[@KPassionate]

Wow, thanks!

[@roselenab854]

Thank you! I’m learning a lot!

[@Elizabeth-hn6yd]

KP, check out Cummings Park if you are ever in Stamford, CT. The seagulls there drop clams all over the sidewalks and parking lot to open them! Connecticut gulls are smart!

[@KPassionate]

That's wild! I'll have to take a look. Thanks!

[@lb1460]

Great vid. Missing you w the otts, but happy for you. P.S. loving my otter paw sweatshirt.😊

[@ritapeacelove4254]

I am learning so much from you and your videos. Thank you, KP for sharing the research data.

[@KPassionate]

Happy to hear that!

[@deborahm6036]

Truly fascinating and informative. Thank you!

[@nys1emt]

This was just fascinating!! Thanks for sharing the research data. ❤

[@KPassionate]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tylerawol3704]

Thanks KP! i still have a question on otter ear in particular though, how come sometime their ears drop down and look like earrings from there normal position on the side or up? as well are otter in control of closing them when they dive down in the water?

[@KPassionate]

Yes! Their nostrils and ears close while they are underwater.

[@kpmathis71]

Another ear Q: our ears have gravity "down" detectors that help us balance & orient in space. Do otters & other marine mammals? I would think underwater might mute or at least complicate this sense.

[@KPassionate]

This is a great question! And one I don't actually have the answer for. Lol. I'll have to look into it and maybe talk about it in a future video.

[@aristoflameforyourenjoymen5976]

The organ in question are the semicircular pathways and there is this really sweet thing called vestibuloocular reflex which enables animals to fixate an object with our gaze even when our head is tilted or upside down. Since such a reflex is quite important to do any kind of foraging or hunting it would be quite surprising if the anatomy would be absent in sea dwellers.

[@KPassionate]

@@aristoflameforyourenjoymen5976 cool! Thanks for the ear info!

[@ottopatchen6577]

didn't know that about dolphins and the like. it's wild how it's they hear the same way snakes do. CONVERGENT EVOLUTION!

[@KPassionate]

Evolutionary biology is my favorite!