Species · GBIF taxon 2433670
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutrisAlso known as Northern Sea Otter, Southern Sea Otter, Alaskan Sea Otter
Sea otters float effortlessly on their backs in coastal kelp forests, using their exceptionally dense fur to trap air and stay warm in frigid Pacific waters. These highly social marine mammals gather in groups called rafts and use flat stones as tools to crack open hard-shelled prey on their chests. As keystone species, they play a vital role in marine ecosystems by keeping herbivorous sea urchin populations in check.
MarineKeystone SpeciesMammal
Licensed referenceMarshal Hedin from San Diego / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sea Urchins
- Abalone
- Crabs
Predators
- Great White Shark
- Killer Whale
- Bald Eagle
ThreatsOil spills, shark predation, habitat degradation, infectious disease
HabitatsCoastal waters, kelp forests, rocky reefs
Life span10 to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMustelidae
- SpeciesEnhydra lutris
N. Pacific
Marine distribution — the ocean basins and seas where the species occurs.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Equipped with powerful jaws and sharp claws; maintain a safe distance of at least 50 yards.
- What to notice
- Look for dark brown fur, a lighter face or head, and a floating posture on their backs in nearshore kelp beds.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a distance of at least 50 yards, use binoculars for viewing, and never kayak directly toward resting rafts.
Responsible observation
- Keep Distance: Maintain a buffer of at least 50 yards to avoid disrupting their resting or grooming behaviors.
- Watch for Rafts: Look for large, floating groups tangled in kelp canopies, especially in calm, protected bays.
- Listen for Sounds: Listen closely for high-pitched squeaks from pups or the distinct clicking of shells being cracked open.
Prey (c) Jerry Kirkhart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Habitat Partner "Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), Monterey Bay aquarium, California" by LT&C is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Predator "Great White Shark" by Elias Levy is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Adam Jackson · cc0
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