Sea Otter

Sea Otters are social animals, often found floating in groups called rafts. These groups help them stay safe from predators and strong ocean currents. They spend most of their lives in the water, eating, grooming, and even sleeping while floating on their backs. They use their thick fur to trap air, keeping them buoyant and warm in cold waters. Unlike most marine mammals, they rely on grooming their fur to maintain warmth rather than storing fat.

As carnivorous predators, Sea Otters primarily feed on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, mollusks, and crabs. They are one of the few animal species known to use tools, using rocks to crack open shellfish. Their diet plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of kelp forests by controlling sea urchin populations, which, if left unchecked, can devastate kelp ecosystems.

Mating occurs year-round, with males competing for females. After a gestation period of 4-6 months, mothers give birth to a single pup, which they nurture with great care. Pups are born with a thick coat of fur that keeps them buoyant, and mothers carry them on their chests while grooming and feeding them. The pup remains dependent on its mother for several months before learning to dive and hunt on its own.

Although Sea Otter populations are recovering in some areas, they remain endangered in others due to habitat destruction, oil spills, and climate change. Their fur was highly valued in the fur trade, which nearly drove them to extinction in the 19th century. Conservation efforts, including legal protections and habitat restoration, have helped stabilize some populations, but ongoing threats still pose challenges to their survival.