Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris

UncommonMustelidaeHarmless

ID points

Floats on its back at the surface with food on its belly
Extremely dense fur, the thickest of any mammal
Cracks shells open with a stone that it carries with it

Basics

Family: Mustelidae
Length: 100–150 cm
Depth: 0-40 m
Regions: Temperate & polar
Distribution: Coasts of the North Pacific
Habitat: Coastal kelp beds and shallow water
Diet: Sea urchins, molluscs and crabs

Easily confused with

Green Sea TurtleShell scutes do not overlap, the edge is smooth

Hawksbill TurtleShell scutes overlap in layers like roof tiles

Loggerhead Sea TurtleHead unusually large and broad, out of proportion with the body

Fun fact

Before sleeping it wraps itself in kelp so it does not drift away, and it holds hands with a companion so the two are not separated. It is one of the most endearing mammals in the sea.

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