Sea otters are one of the largest otter species. Rarely coming ashore, sea otters spend most of their time in the kelp forests off the west coast of America, Alaska and Russia. To keep warm they have the densest fur of all mammals but no insulating body fat. When resting or sleeping sea otters float on their backs wrapped in kelp and often holding paws with another individual so they don't drift apart. Stones are used as tools for dislodging and cracking open molluscs.
Did you know?
Sea otters play an important role in protecting kelp forests from grazing sea urchins.
Scientific name: Enhydra lutris
Rank: Species
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The sea otter is perfectly adapted for life in the kelp forest of Monterey Bay.
The sea otter is perfectly adapted for life in the kelp forest of Monterey Bay.
A vast kelp forest provides sanctuary for animals like the sea otter.
Giant kelp grow in huge marine forests and are the largest form of algae in the world.
A kelp wrap helps sea otters sunbathe without being washed out to sea.
A kelp wrap helps sea otters sunbathe without being washed out to sea.
A mother otter strikes a balance between her pup's safety and her own hunger.
A mother otter strikes a balance between her pup's safety and her own hunger.
An otter mother modifies her wild feeding skills for her marina environment.
An otter mother modifies her wild feeding skills for her marina environment.
The Sea otter can be found in a number of locations including: North America, Russia. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Sea otter distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Endangered
Population trend: Stable
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
a otters are the smallest marine mammals and also one of the most endearing to humans. Their thick fur makes them look like plush toys, but was almost their downfall during the mid 1700s and 1800s when fur hunting sent their populations spiralling downwards. Their numbers are recovering, but even though the fur hunters have gone, they now live under the constant threat of oil spills.
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