Life Sciences Commons^™

The High Cost Of Reproduction In Sea Otters Necessitates Unique Physiological Adaptations, Nicole Thometz, T. L. Kendall, B. P. Richter, T. M. Williams

Biology Faculty Publications

Resting Superimposed on inherently high basal metabolic demands, the additional energetic requirements of reproduction can push female sea otters beyond physiological limits. Indeed, the resulting energy imbalance contributes to disproportionately high rates of mortality at the end of lactation in this species. To examine and quantify metabolic changes associated with reproduction, we measured the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of a female sea otter across gestation, lactation and non-reproductive periods. Concurrently, measurements were made on a non-breeding control female. Our results suggest that RMR declines during gestation. Conversely, RMR increases during lactation, reaches a peak at 3–4 months postpartum, and remains …