Friends of the Sea Otter: Vocalizations

California Sea Otter Vocalizations Recorded by the Monterey Bay Aquarium

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Take One: Pup calling to mother, some water/ocean sounds. Recorded in the wild on 8/3/88 from the California Fish & Game Capture Boat during tagging operations. Sea otter mom #200 and her male pup #569 were in the capture boat, pup was stressed and calling mom.

Take Two: Same pup as "Take One." Shorter duration, no water sounds. Recorded in the wild on 8/3/88 from the California Fish & Game Capture Boat during tagging operations. Sea otter mom #200 and her male pup #569 were in the capture boat, pup was stressed and calling mom.

Take Three: Mother calling for pup who became separated from her. Recorded on 8/3/88 in the wild, female #176 (one of the Aquarium's study animals) and pup swimming around in the ocean. They become separated and mother is vocalizing for pup. Pup is not calling back.

Take Four: Mother calling for pup who has become separated from her and gives a whistle sound. This is the same mother as in "Take Three" with a whistle sound included.

Take Five: Rehabilitated pup indoors being groomed, and whining. Rehab pup #1608-87. Recorded on 10/12/87 in MBA sea otter nursery. Seven-week old female pup is being "groomed" by caregiver.

Take Six: Young pup whining. Approximately three-week-old female rehab otter pup #1759-89 in MBA sea otter nursery. Whining to another pup! Recorded on 3/17/89.

Take Seven: Pup Calling Mom. Recorded on 1/27/88 in the wild, during capture and tagging operations. Wild sea otter pup #555 is vocalizing to female #203. Both otters are in capture boat in nets waiting to be tagged and measured.

Take Eight: Pup and Mom vocalizing to one another, researchers talking in background. Recorded on 1/27/88 in the wild, during capture and tagging operations. Wild sea otter pup #555 is vocalizing to female #203. Both otters are in capture boat in nets waiting to be tagged and measured. Female and pup calling back and forth, researchers listing tag color of animals.

Take Nine: Pup vocalizing loudly! Recorded on 1/27/88 in the wild, during capture and tagging operations. Wild sea otter pup #555 is vocalizing to female #203. Both otters are in capture boat in nets waiting to be tagged and measured. Continuation of Takes seven and eight.