SPECIES
Sea otter
Enhydra lutris
A floating mammal uses tools and thick fur to survive seas too cold for most small swimmers.
Sea otters may crack hard-shelled prey against stones and groom dense fur to retain insulation.
By eating sea urchins in some ecosystems they can help kelp forests flourish; effects are regional.
Coastal North Pacific waters and kelp habitats.
Where does a sea otter live?
Coastal North Pacific waters and kelp habitats.
Worth knowing
- Adaptation Sea otters may crack hard-shelled prey against stones and groom dense fur to retain insulation.
- Ecological role By eating sea urchins in some ecosystems they can help kelp forests flourish; effects are regional.
- Home Coastal North Pacific waters and kelp habitats.
How it survives
Sea otters may crack hard-shelled prey against stones and groom dense fur to retain insulation.
A floating mammal uses tools and thick fur to survive seas too cold for most small swimmers.
Why relationships matter
By eating sea urchins in some ecosystems they can help kelp forests flourish; effects are regional.
Where it lives
Coastal North Pacific waters and kelp habitats.
Pressures and responses
Oil spills, entanglement, disease, shark bites and climate-related changes.
Reduce coastal pollution and protect locally suitable marine habitat.
Sources
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology — Animal Diversity Web, Enhydra lutris
- GBIF — Enhydra lutris accepted taxon
- US Fish and Wildlife Service — Southern sea otter
- Monterey Bay Aquarium — Sea otter
Records of where it has been seen come live from GBIF; observed interactions from GloBI. Draft — not yet reviewed by a person.