Ologies with Alie Ward Lutrinology (OTTERS) Encore with Chris J. Law
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Aug 27, 2025 Dr. Chris J. Law, a Lutrinologist with a PhD in ecology, dives into the whimsical and wild world of otters. He shares captivating tales of their contrasting behaviors—cute yet capable of mischief. Listeners will learn about otter terrorism, their quirky sleeping habits, and the significance of hand-holding. The conversation touches on conservation efforts and unique otter adaptations, including magical teeth for cracking shellfish. With humor and depth, Law reveals why these playful creatures inspire both trust and caution.
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From Worms To Otters
- Chris Law started as a polychaete worm student and pivoted to sea otter research after a grad advisor suggested it at UC Santa Cruz.
- He built phylogenetic trees of mustelids and learned otter natural history while framing questions about how they break hard-shelled prey.
How Otters Got Their Noodle Bodies
- Mammalian elongation usually evolves via relatively longer vertebrae, not more vertebrae like in snakes or eels.
- Mustelid long bodies likely evolved for entering burrows to chase rodents during climate-driven habitat change.
Otters' Place In The Carnivore Tree
- Otters are mustelids within the caniform branch of Carnivora, more closely related to weasels, minks, and badgers than to cats.
- Mustelidae contains over 60 species showing wide body-plan diversity across the group.
