Otter News Archive

Monterey Bay Aquarium's youngest sea otter, Kit, back behind the scenes

Read original. . .
Previous | Archive Index | Next

6th April 2010

Kimber Solana

The Californian, Salinas, California, USA

The Monterey Bay Aquarium's popular baby sea otter Kit is taking a temporary break.

Kit, a rescued sea otter who became the youngest ever to go on exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium earlier this year, was taken back behind the scenes Monday to develop skills such as cracking open clams and eating live crabs Aquarium officials said that Kit was taken off exhibit Monday to learn "important life lessons" — specifically how to handle live prey.

Kit will be back in the exhibit eventually. Spokeswoman Angela Hains said her return depends on how quickly she can learn.

Aquarium officials said Kit is "flummoxed" by tightly closed clams and live crabs.

Kit will be taken behind the scenes, where she'll be able to interact with other otters to learn the new skills.

Since her debut as the youngest otter pup to go on exhibit at the Aquarium, Kit has grown from 15 to 22 pounds. Kit was found stranded in Morro Bay in early January, and debuted Feb. 18.

In place of Kit and her exhibit companion Mae, the Aquarium will showcase exhibit veterans Toola, a 13-year-old sea otter, and Joy, age 11.