Sea Otters

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.