Sea Otter
(Enhydra
lutris)
Description:
Sea Otters are
members of the weasel family.
They have the thickest fur of any mammal! Their
fur consists of two layers, an undercoat and longer
guard hairs. This
layered fur traps a layer of air
next to the skin to keep them dry and warm. They
are usually dark brown with lighter guard hairs. Sea
Otters are the smallest sea mammal. Females can
weigh between 16 to 27 kg and males can weigh up
to 40 kg. They have
long, thick tails.
Distribution:
At one time, Sea
Otters ranged from Mexico
to Alaska and even to Japan, but they are now an
endangered species as a result of over hunting for
their beautiful fur as well as oil spills and other
environmental pollutants. The largest populations are now living in Alaska and
Russia, but a population has been transplanted to the southern part of Canada’s
Pacific coast. They inhabit shallow
areas, preferring places with kelp (the plants seen above).
Diet:
The Sea Otter
feeds on clams, sea urchins (as seen above), abalone, crabs, mussels, starfish
and fish. Adult Sea Otters can eat 25
to 30% of their body weight in one day!
Sea Otters are one of the only sea mammals to use tools; they often use
stones to break open the shells of their prey.
Behaviour:
Female Sea Otters
have one pup every 1 to 2 years. Pups
can be born at any time of the year, but most are born in February. Before mothers go hunting, they wrap their
pups in kelp to float on the surface of the water; Sea Otter pups cannot dive
as their fur traps so much air. Mothers
spend a lot of time grooming their babies and often carry them on their
chests. Otters, like the one above, are
often seen floating on their backs using their paws to eat their lunch.