Browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and zoo careers. Sea otters are incredibly clean and keep their waterproof coats in perfect condition. Sea otters may spend as much as 48% of the daylight hours grooming their fur. From feeding habits to ecosystem maintenance, sea otters are more than meets the eye. Sea otters were hunted almost to extinction for their fur and only 1 – 2,000 animals remained in the early 20th century. They cleverly use rocks as ‘tools’ to smash the shells by placing the rock upon their chest while floating on their backs and bashing the mollusc against it repeatedly. North American Sea Otter is also more slender than other otter breeds. 4. National Audubon Society: Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is rare, completely marine otter. This page contains sea otter facts and information, and is part of our Arctic Animals series. They carry rocks and store food in the loose skin under their armpits - who needs carrier bags! However, it is only once they were hunted nearly to extinction that we came to realize their value alive as a keystone species rather than a fur pelt. These include fully webbed hind feet; nostrils and ears that can close; and thick, water-repelling fur that keeps them dry and warm. iStock Once thought to be gone from the area completely, southern sea otters—known as California sea otters—have been making a … That was before fur traders hunted them for their thick, luxurious pelts. Sea urchins, crabs, squid, octopus and fish also make tasty meals for a sea otter. California sea otters spend almost all of their time in the water, while Alaska sea otters often sleep, groom, and nurse their young on land. 1. Sea otters are carnivores in the family Mustelidae —a group of animals that also includes terrestrial and... Habitat and Distribution. They live in offshore forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), and spend most of their active time foraging below the canopy. Sea otters are members of the weasel family (Mustelidae). American Badger Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. Forget everything you thought you knew about otter species. On an adult animal, there are an estimated 650,000 hairs per square inch. They usually weigh between 7 to 31 pounds (3 – 14 kg). They like to eat sea urchins, clams, mussels and crabs. Today, their range is less extensive, with the majority of wild sea otters residing in Alaskan waters, although populations do exist in Canada, Russia, Japan, Washington and California. Reeves, R. R., Stewart, B.S., Clapman, P.J., and J.A. Come with us on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp. Sea otters can often be observed floating on their backs on the surface looking very relaxed and chilled out. Sea otters inhabit temperate coastal waters with rocky or soft sediment ocean bottom. ActiveWild.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon stores. Clever creatures, they'll use rocks to crack open the clams. Come face-to-face with the wonders of wildlife through species-focused episodes and related classroom activities. Reeves, R.R., Stewart, B.S. These marine mammals have a number of characteristics that make them perfectly suited for life at sea. Sea otters have no insulating fat, but trap air under their coasts as insulation. Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. Sea otters can live up to 23 years in the wild. Sea otters have incredibly dense fur, with up to 150,000 hair follicles per square centimeter. Diet. Mountain Gorilla Facts, Pictures & Information, Clouded Leopard Facts For Kids & Students: Pictures, Information & Video, Animals That Start With L: List With Pictures & Facts, Desert Animals: A List Of Animals That Live In The Desert With Pictures & Facts – Plus FREE question sheet, Nine-Banded Armadillo Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information, Bighorn Sheep Facts: Discover The Largest Sheep Native To North America, American Alligator Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. Sea otters eat up to 30% of their body weight in food per day to support their high metabolic rate. The sea otter's dark brown fur is the finest and densest of any animal fur. Mothers will continue to float on their backs, nurse their young and teach them to swim and hunt. News and facts about animals, natural history and science. Sea otters are brown to almost black in color, but hands and necks whiten in older animals. california sea otters divide themselves in diet guilds. The people of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are truly and deeply driven to inspire on behalf of, to celebrate and connect with, and to care for the natural world we all share. A sea otter relies on its fur to keep warm because it doesn't have an insulating layer of blubber as other marine mammals do. Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. By the year 1900, sea otters were nearly extinct. An otter may remove an abalone by repeatedly hitting it with a rock. Hear animal sounds for animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more. San Diego. SeaWorld, Inc. 1997. Here are some surprising yet cute facts about them. Rome. Jefferson, T.J. Leatherwood, S. and M.A. Sea otters are incredibly clean and keep their waterproof coats in perfect condition. Click on the photo below to discover this week’s animal! Usually, a single baby (called a pup) is produced following 4 to 5 months of pregnancy. From fun and affordable field trips for students to amazing summer adventures, our camps combine education and entertainment in a way that connects people to the sea and sea life like nowhere else. (It’s completely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll never share your details.). Find a variety of free classroom activities that will keep your students engaged and excited to learn about animals. Find quick information and fun facts with these 1-page easy resources about animals from A to Z. Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. The Furriest of Fur Coats – Sea otters have the densest fur of any animal. Byrum, J. Nowadays, sea otters are beloved due to their appearance and charismatic personalities. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1992. To ensure that they stay dry they must spend… The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians. What Thick Fur You Have . For more information on otters, explore the. Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! So are we! Sea otters wrap themselves in kelp or hold hands when sleeping to prevent drifting. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of … Otters. Sea otters are the heaviest members of the weasel family, and have adapted to the marine environment in which they live. Because they rely on their dense fur for insulation from the chilly ocean water, sea otters are particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of an oil spill. Flying Squirrels Facts: Meet The Gliding Rodents Of North America! Walker's Mammals of the World.

facts about sea otters

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