News: A new study reveals that sea otters at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in California are consuming thousands of green crabs. This behavior plays a crucial role in preserving the ecosystem along the West Coast of the United States.
About Sea Otters
- Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris
- They are aquatic members of the weasel family.
- Habitat:
- They found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean, particularly in North America (from Alaska to California) and parts of Asia (Russia and Japan).
- They spend most of their time in the water but occasionally come ashore to sleep or rest.
- Physical Characteristics:
- They have webbed feet and water-repellent fur to stay dry and warm, with nostrils and ears that close in the water.
- Unlike other marine mammals, they lack blubber (a thick layer of fat) to shield them from hypothermia. As a result, they must consume a large amount of food daily to maintain their body heat.
- Diet– They are carnivorous and consume a variety of marine life, including sea urchins, crabs, mollusks, clams, and fish.
- Ecological Role:
- They are a keystone species in kelp forest ecosystems, helping control populations of sea urchins and other species that can damage kelp forests.
- Their presence promotes biodiversity and maintains ecological balance.
- IUCN Status: Endangered.
