Overview

The sea otter is the smallest marine mammal and one of the most charismatic. Wrapped in the densest fur of any animal — up to a million hairs per square inch — it floats on its back in kelp beds, cracking open sea urchins and abalone on a stone balanced on its chest.

Sea otters hold hands while resting so they don't drift apart in the kelp — a behaviour that has made them icons of coastal conservation. They are a keystone species: by eating sea urchins, they protect kelp forests that support hundreds of other species.

Habitat

Cold coastal waters and kelp forests along the Pacific coast from California through Alaska hold sea otters. They rarely come ashore, spending their lives in the water feeding, grooming, and rafting in kelp.

Countries found

Interesting facts

01
Sea otters hold hands while resting so they don't drift apart in kelp beds.
02
They use rocks as tools to break open shellfish.
03
Their fur has up to a million hairs per square inch — the densest of any animal.

Conservation status

EN — Endangered

Sea otters are Endangered in parts of their range after fur trade devastation. California and Alaska populations have recovered under protection, but oil spills and shark predation remain threats.