Sea Otter

A sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. It is the heaviest member of the weasel family and one of the smallest marine mammals.

Sea otters don't have blubber like other marine mammals. Instead, they rely on the densest fur of any animal, with up to a million hairs per square inch, to keep them warm. This fur traps a layer of air next to their skin, insulating them from the cold ocean water. They have webbed hind feet for swimming and strong, dexterous front paws for handling food.

Sea otters spend most of their lives in coastal waters, often found in kelp forests where they can anchor themselves while resting. They're carnivorous, and their diet consists mainly of marine invertebrates like sea urchins, crabs, clams, and mussels. They use rocks as tools to crack open the hard shells of their prey, a rare behavior among non-primate animals.

Once hunted to near extinction for their luxurious fur, sea otter populations have made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts. They are considered a keystone species because they play a vital role in maintaining the health of kelp forests. By preying on sea urchins, they prevent the urchins from overgrazing the kelp, which in turn supports a diverse ecosystem for other marine life.