Temperate to sub-polar latitudes in the north Pacific Ocean
Rocky shores and kelp forests
Order Carnivora (carnivorans), Family Mustelidae (weasels and relatives)
The sea otter is a charismatic marine mammal in the north Pacific Ocean and one of the largest species in the weasel family. It is also the only species in that family that lives its entire life in the ocean, preferring rocky shores and kelp forests.
Sea otters are foragers that eat mostly hard-shelled invertebrates, including sea urchins and a variety of clams, mussels, and crabs. They have an interesting method of eating their prey. Sea otters dive to rocky reefs, where they collect invertebrates and also a large rock. Upon returning to the surface, they float on their backs, with the rock on the stomachs. They use the rock as a table against which they smash their shelled prey to get to the soft parts that they can eat. Sea otters are often observed behaving in this manner, individually or in small groups.
Sea otters spend all of their time in the ocean, including sleeping. Since they must sleep at the surface, they often wrap themselves in giant kelp to keep from floating away. By controlling sea urchin populations, sea otters promote giant kelp growth, as that species is a favorite of sea urchin grazers. In this manner, sea otters are keystone predators in the kelp forests where they live. They are not at the top of the food web, however, and are eaten by orcas, great white sharks and other large predators.
Sea otters are quite large, weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kg) and reaching lengths of nearly 5 feet (1.5 m). Both mating and birth take place in the water, and males have harems of several females. Mothers nurse their young for up to eight months. When the mothers dive for food, they tie their babies into kelp to ensure that they will not float away.
Unlike most marine mammals that rely on a thick layer of blubber to insulate them from cold ocean waters, sea otters rely on their extremely thick fur – the thickest of all animals. In fact, sea otters have so many hairs per square inch that their skin never actually gets wet, even though they live their entire lives in the ocean. Unfortunately, this thick fur also nearly led to this species’ demise. In the 18th and 19th centuries, sea otter pelts were highly valued for their use in making coats and other outerwear, and the species was nearly hunted to extinction. Scientists estimate that the total population reached levels less than one percent of their pre-hunting numbers. Sea otters now have legal protection throughout much of their range, and there has been some recovery in recent decades. However, scientists still believe that populations are decreasing as a result of oil pollution, changes to north Pacific food webs, and habitat loss, and this species is considered endangered (highly vulnerable to extinction). Without continuing conservation measures and legal protection, this charismatic species could be at risk of being lost forever.
Fun Facts About Sea Otters
1. Sea otters reach maximum lengths of 4.9 feet (1.5 m) and weights of 100 pounds (45 kg).
2. Sea otters have the densest fur of all mammals with up to 1 million hairs per square inch.
3. Sea otters don’t have blubber or fat to keep them warm like other marine mammals. Instead, they stay warm using two layers of fur: the bottom layer traps air, while the top layer guards the air and keeps the sea otters buoyant.
4. Sea otters eat 25 percent of their body weight each day in sea urchins, crabs, clams, snails and other invertebrates.
5. Sea otters use rocks to crack open their prey as fast as 45 blows in 15 seconds.1
6. The longest recorded sea otter dive was 4 minutes,2 and the deepest recorded sea otter dive was 318 feet (97 m) deep.1
7. Female sea otters live to up to 20 years, while males live up to 15 years.2
Engage Youth with Sailors for the Sea
Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids.