The Elkhorn Slough also contains various species of leopard sharks, birds, and fish that are considered to be threatened habitats. Visitors can observe these forms of wildlife in the watershed while learning more about these rare estaurine communities.
What animals live in South Slough Estuary?
It is home to many important species including bald eagles, great blue herons, elk, dungeness crab, ghost shrimp and surfperch. As a marine protected area, the upper reaches of South Slough’s tidal creeks and channels are spawning and nursery grounds for marine fishes.
Do sea otters live in South Slough?
Habitats found within the reserve support salmon, great blue herons, bald eagles, migrating ducks, elk, sea otters, oysters, and crabs.
Where is Elkhorn Slough located?
Monterey Bay
Elkhorn Slough is a seven-mile arm of the Monterey Bay located half way between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey. This arm has a bend in it as it extends inland, and at the “elbow” lies the reserve.
Can sharks live in estuary?
They live in a broad range of marine habitats, from the deep ocean to the shallow coastal waters, including estuaries. Even though sharks are considered to be primarily an ocean species, they are commonly found in the lower and middle reaches of estuaries. As with other fish, the estuary is a nursery ground for sharks.
What lives in a slough?
sea otters
The slough area is home to California’s greatest concentration of sea otters, as well as populations of endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamander and the threatened California red-legged frog.
When can you see baby otters in Elkhorn Slough?
Spring will also bring green hills, wildflowers and baby animals such as sea otters, harbor seals and nesting birds. Summer is great time to visit and escape the heat of the Bay Area. Fall is a wonderful time of year as well with abundant birds, sea otters, harbor seals and perhaps more baby otters.
Can you see otters at Elkhorn Slough?
It’s common to see sea otter mother and pups in the Elkhorn Slough. Our protected waters make for a perfect refuge.
Are otters good at swimming?
Otters are excellent swimmers. They swim with movements of the hind legs and tail. Freshwater otters “dog paddle” with all four feet when swimming slowly or floating. When swimming at a high speed, the entire body, including the tail, undulates up and down and the hind feet steer.
Are there sharks in Elkhorn Slough?
It’s now home to those sharks, rays, about 100 species of fish and 120 kinds of birds, but for years the marshland was diked, drained and used as ranch land. The Elkhorn Dairy, as it was known, was in production for more than 50 years.
What kind of sharks are in Elkhorn Slough?
Some leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) live in the slough all year round, where they are by far the most common elasmobranch.
What animals live in Elkhorn Slough?
Five threatened or endangered species are found at Elkhorn Slough: the California brown pelican, California least tern, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, southern sea otter, and American peregrine falcon. Elkhorn Slough is one of the premier birdwatching sites in the western United States.
How close to shore can a shark come?
Statistics show that “most shark attacks occur less than 100 feet from the shore,” and data from the Florida Museum of Natural History seems to corroborate this, saying that “Attacks on surfers and swimmers are most common in 6 to 10 feet of water.”
Can you swim in an estuary?
Swimming in tidal waters can be fun if you do your research and follow advice on swimming safely outdoors generally, in rivers and the sea, and especially in tidal rivers and estuaries.
How close do big sharks come to shore?
According to most statistics, sharks can come as close as 100 feet from the coast.
Is a slough freshwater or saltwater?
California sloughs are unique. Are they rivers? On the West coast often times a slough is defined as a shallow black water of sorts between fresh and salt water. They’re quiet waters that are part of bays and deltas.
What is a slough water?
A slough is a swamp or shallow lake system, usually a backwater to a larger body of water. South Slough is a 4,771-acre National Estuarine Research Reserve located on Coos Bay Estuary in Oregon (Image credit: South Slough NERR). A slough is typically used to describe wetlands.
What does a slough mean?
: the cast-off skin of a snake. : a mass of dead tissue separating from an ulcer. 3. : something that may be shed or cast off.
How many sea otters are in Elkhorn Slough?
Reserve Otter Monitoring Project (ROMP)
You may have seen otters frolicking in the ocean off Cannery Row in Monterey, but did you know that the Elkhorn Slough, home to more than 120 otters is the only estuary significantly colonized by southern sea otters?
Can you fish in Elkhorn Slough?
Over 340 species of birds live or migrate to these rich and diverse MPAs. Permitted/Prohibited Uses: No fishing. All take of living marine resources is prohibited.
What to do if you see an otter?
What to do when I encounter otters?
- DO NOT touch, chase or corner the otters. Observe them from a distance.
- DO NOT talk loudly and do not use flash photography. Noise and light may scare and provoke the otters.
- DO NOT feed the otters.
- DO NOT litter or leave sharp objects in the water.
- DO keep your dog on a tight leash.