Sea otter sea ocean 34. The sea otter enhydra lutris is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern north pacific ocean. Not to be confused with river otters a small marine mammal with a long body. It is also the only species in that family that lives its entire life in the ocean preferring rocky shores and kelp forests. Once an endangered species as a result of fur trading otter populations recovered and appeared very healthy and robust in the early 1980s.
From holding paws to rubbing their faces sea otters are otter ly adorable. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg. Even though sea otter can walk in the land and breathe using its lungs but most of its time is spent in the ocean. James estes has studied sea otters off the coast of alaska since the 1970s.
The sea otter is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern north pacific ocean. As far south as big sur. But why do they do what they do. They enjoy eating shellfish and other small animals.
Their charming features are unparalleled from their expressions to their use of tools. Sea otters sighted in sea isle city new jersey. Disappearing sea otters. Ocean tides are funny things.
They like the cool ocean waters that support kelp forests. However starting in the early 1990s estes and his. Discover the science behind the cute. Sea otters are mainly native to the northeastern seaboards of the pacific ocean so they arent spotted in areas like the east coast or the gulf of mexico.
If you spot an otter in the chesapeake bay its a river otter whereas if you spot one in monterey bay especially in the water the chances are high that its a sea otter. That is native to pacific ocean but to be exact they are native to the northern and eastern part of north pacific ocean. Sea otters are marine mammals that are much larger than their cousins the river otters but sea otters are indigenous to the pacific northwest to the middle of california ie. The sea otter is a charismatic marine mammal in the north pacific ocean and one of the largest species in the weasel family.
10 endangered sea otters conservation.