Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Family
- Mustelidae
- Genus
- Enhydra
Habitat
Sea otters primarily inhabit nearshore marine environments, including kelp forests, rocky coasts, and estuaries along the North Pacific Ocean from Alaska to California and parts of Russia and Japan. They prefer areas with abundant shellfish and protection from strong waves. These habitats provide both food sources and resting spots on the water surface.
Diet
Sea otters mainly eat marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, abalones, clams, and mussels, which they forage for in shallow waters. They use rocks or other tools to crack open hard shells while floating on their backs. Feeding occurs primarily during the day, with adults consuming up to 25% of their body weight daily to maintain their high metabolism.
Behavior
Sea otters are highly social, often forming large rafts of up to 100 individuals while resting or grooming. They are diurnal, spending much of their time floating on their backs eating or playing, and exhibit territorial behavior among males during mating seasons. Notable behaviors include using tools like rocks to open shellfish and wrapping themselves in kelp to avoid drifting.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the sea otter as Endangered, with population trends showing recovery in some areas due to conservation efforts but overall vulnerability to threats like oil spills and habitat degradation. Major threats include pollution, fishing gear entanglement, and climate change impacts on their kelp forest habitats.