Estes and his colleagues speculate that the decline in otters during the 1990s was due to a(n)
A) sudden increase in the numbers of urchins.
B) switch in the predation patterns of killer whales (orcas) to include more otters.
C) decrease in kelp forests due to global warming.
D) infection by hantavirus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decline in otters during the 1990s was speculated to be due to killer whales (orcas) switching their predation patterns to include more otters, as otters became a more significant part of their diet.

Estes and His Colleagues Speculate That the Decline in Otters