When sea otters want to rest, they wrap a piece of kelp around their body to hold themselves steady among the rolling waves. Likewise, California's sea otter numbers are holding steady against the many forces pushing against their population recovery, according to the latest field survey led by federal, state, aquarium, and university scientists. Since the 1980s, U. S. Geological Survey scientists have calculated a population index each year for the southern sea otter—Enhydra lutris nereis—a species federally listed as Threatened. The annual range-wide field survey collects data on this protected marine mammal on behalf of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Why does the author begin the essay by describing otters' habit of wrapping themselves in kelp?

To connect the idea of otters holding themselves steady to the idea of a steady population
To create a humorous description that makes sea otters more appealing to readers
To imply that without protection, sea otters will have no anchor in this modern world
To suggest that the life of a sea otter is difficult under the best of circumstances