In Alaska, they range from Southeast Alaska, through Prince William Sound, the Kenai Fjords, and the Aleutian Islands. Some are almost exclusively aquatic, like the sea otters that live in the Pacific ocean, and some spend more than half their time on land, like the giant otter that lives in the tropical rain-forests of South America. The front and back feet are fully webbed; large lungs allow long dives and provide buoyancy and thick fur provides insulation. Ain’t no party like a sea otter party! Sea otters are found in two areas: The Pacific coasts of Russia and Alaska, and along the central California coast. Captured prey is eaten at sea while the otter swims on its back. The only member of the genus Enhydra, the sea otter is so different from other mustelid species that, as recently … For one of the smallest marine mammals on Earth (yet the largest member of the weasel family), the sea otter has racked up quite a few superlatives: 10. Engage Youth with Sailors for the Sea. That truly is a huge amount of salt. Are sea otters friendly? They have furry bodies, whiskered faces, and a propensity to lay on their backs and float on the water, a behavior that humans perceive as evidence of fun-loving. Fish are also eaten. In this manner, sea otters are keystone predators in the kelp forests where they live. The other small part of their lives live on the ocean floor to hunt and gather food. They feed mainly on sea urchins, crabs, and various shellfish. Eat sea urchins, clams, mussels, snails, prawns, crabs, abalone, squid. Th… North American river otter – This species is found throughout much of Canada and parts of the United States. Eurasian otters are indigenous to the UK and can be found in either fresh or salt water, although it’s usually known as the river otter for the obvious reason. (See also Adaptation). The sea otter is the heaviest (the giant otter is longer, but significantly slimmer) member of the family Mustelidae, a diverse group that includes the 13 otter species and terrestrial animals such as weasels, badgers, and minks. Sea otters are usually solitary but are sometimes seen in groups—gatherings of up to 2,000 have been observed along the coast of Alaska. People love to see the Otters and their playful activities. Many species establish regular latrine sites along the shores of lakes or rivers. The marine community is diverse, so sometimes mud and sand can be a large part of the environment, but in more confined areas such as bays and inlets. Are sea otters friendly? North American river otter – This species is found throughout much of Canada and parts of the United States. Otters range in size from 3 kg (6.6 pounds) in the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus, formerly Amblonyx cinereus) to 26 kg (57 pounds) in the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and 45 kg (99 pounds) in the sea otter (Enhydra lutris). Unlike sea otters, marine otters shelter in rock cavities for daytime rest and parturition. Updated June 21, 2019 Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean and are found in Russia, Alaska, Washington state and California. Its fur is the densest of any animal on Earth—an estimated 1 million hairs per square inch. Sea otter is scientifically known as Enhydra Lutris. Many sea otters live near rocky sea bottoms and shorelines, where marine communities are extremely diverse. As predators that are near the top of the food chain, otters are hugely important for keeping their environments balanced. Excellent and lithe swimmers, the young are in the water by 10 weeks of age. Most river otters are opportunistic, feeding on whatever is most easily obtained. Litter size ranges from one to five. Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and marshes. Sea otters can also drink salt water and thus can remain at sea for several days at a time. In a kelp forest, sea urchins can graze on the kelp and eat their holdfasts, resulting in deforesting the kelp from an area. In the wild, they mostly eat fish, while sea-dwelling otters use stones to break open mollusks. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? Where do otters live? Young otters (pups) may fall prey to large raptors, and various carnivores may kill adults traveling on land. Eat fish, crayfish, bugs, rats, and birds. Females give birth in water to only one young, which remains dependent on the mother until six to eight months of age. By controlling sea urchin populations, sea otters promote giant kelp growth, as that species is a favorite of sea urchin grazers. The marine biome is one of the largest biomes in the world, covering roughly 70% of the earth. Other places you will find them lingering include around rivers, streams, and lakes. Sea otters live along the coasts and kelp beds of California, Alaska, and the Russian Pacific. Most otters live in dens — built by other animals, such as beavers — that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. Sea otters spend all of their time in the ocean, including sleeping. The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill killed at least 1,000 sea otters, and mortality rates continued to rise through 1993 as a result of the spill. Sea otter predation on the herbivorous urchins (genus Strongylocentrotus) enables kelp forests and the fish associated with them to flourish. When not resting or eating, river otters can often be seen eagerly sliding down mud or snow banks. In order to capture food, sea otters dive to the bottom in 5 to 250 feet (1.5 to 75 meters) of water. Sea otters usually have a single pup, born in the water. Alaska sea otters inhabit the coast of Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and south along British Columbia and Washington. June 12, 2017. admintag. Otters cannot be kept as pets because they require specific conditions for longevity. Since they must sleep at the surface, they often wrap themselves in giant kelp to keep from floating away. Both rely exclusively on marine prey, although the sea otter can be found much farther offshore; the marine otter stays within about 100 metres (330 feet) of the shore. Sea otters mainly eat sea urchins, crabs, clams, mussels, octopus, other marine invertebrates, and fish. 9. California and Japan are the closest sea otters will live to the equator, as it is too hot to live closer, although it is still possible to live lower. River otters generally live alone or in small social groups. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Sea otters are brown to almost black in color, but hands and necks whiten in older animals. The southern sea otters in our Sea Otters exhibit love to play with toys, lounge in ice buckets or just snooze. What Kingdom do Sea Otters belong to? Two species are marine, with the others living predominantly in fresh water. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are classified as marine mammals.They live along the Pacific coast of North America.Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait.It also included Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan.Sea otters have about 26,000 to 165,000 hairs per square centimeters of skin. In captivity, diets can vary somewhat but need to provide a lot of basic nutrients. Sea otters are commonly spotted on WWF’s Alaska tours. African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) and Congo clawless otters (A. congicus or A. capensis congicus) occupy murky waterways and thus rely more on manual dexterity than on vision to obtain food (mostly crabs) from under rocks. They use kelp beds to wrap themselves or tie themselves up in and to find food. Conservation. Most otters live in dens — built by other animals, such as beavers — that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. They have a rich fur for which humans hunted them almost to extinction. Otters live in a wide variety of watery locations, from the mighty Amazon to the heart of Singapore. Where Do Sea Otter Live? Otters have some interesting relatives. Adults weigh up to 99 pounds and are the weasel family’s heaviest animals, but strangely the smallest of all marine mammals. The kelp acts as an anchor that the sea otters use to wrap themselves in when they are resting. It’s also home to the largest concentration of southern sea otters along the California coast. Sea otters are shallow coastal water dwellers, as it is easier to adapt to. Currently, the California population numbers around 3,300 and is found from Half Moon Bay to Point Conception. There is a much larger population in Alaska, and sea otters are still found in Russia. Unlike other marine mammals, sea otters do not have a thick layer of blubber and rely upon their water-resistant fur for insulation. Scotland's Shetland Islands are home to a large otter population. Most travel is aquatic, but river otters can venture swiftly overland between bodies of water. The sea otter, one of the 13 otter species, is considered the smallest marine mammal in the world. When they are in their natural habitats, otters live for a maximum of twenty years, with a life expectancy of ten to fifteen years in the case of males, and from 15 to 20 years in females. Sea otters prefer coastal habitats within a mile of the shoreline. 2 . Where do wild otters live, and how can you see one in the UK? Animal Adoptions make great gifts for birthdays, holidays, graduations, celebrations, for the animal lover in your life and just because you care. An abundance of sea otters swam in the waters here and hauled up on the shores, Ogden wrote, often congregating near the mouths of the many creeks that flowed into the bay. Earlier sea otters ranged from Mexico to Alaska. River otters usually have 2 … Sea otters are commonly spotted on WWF’s Alaska tours. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. Otters prefer to live in bodies of water that are close to land offering them wetlands or the woods close by. North American river otter (or common otter): Found in and along North America’s waterways and coasts, these otters weigh between 11 and 31 lbs (5-14kg). Thick fur of sea otters is the densest of all animals, it helps them to keep heat in cold water. In natural conditions, sea otters live 8-11 years, in captivity – about 20 years. Tune into our LIVE Sea Otter Cam for your daily dose of sea otter cuteness. As they are mammals, they stay for short periods of time. Every day. This aquatic member of the weasel family is found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. Enjoy the playful antics of our sea otters. Want to watch cute sea otters romp, wrestle and play every day of the year? They feed on crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, as well as mollusks and fish. Back to the top. Sea otters, the marquee attraction at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, continue to draw crowds on the aquarium's live web cams while the facility is closed due to coronavirus. These furry marine mammals are one of only a few marine animals known to use tools to obtain their food. Other populations are found in the western north Pacific off the Kuril Islands and in California from Point Ano Nuevo south to San Nicolas Island. However, when fish is scarce, they eat insects, frogs, birds and other mammals like rodents. Sea otters do have a friendly and charismatic personality, but even with good intentions, it is almost never a good idea to approach a sea otter in the wild. They are native to the northern coastlines of the Pacific Ocean, from northern Japan to Baja, Mexico. Otters are found almost all over the world and in many wet habitats, such freshwater rivers, lakes, oceans, coastlines and marshes. Because otters eat mainly fish, you’ll generally find them in areas where there are plenty of this food source. Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of an otter’s life. It is unique among the mustelids in not making dens or burrows, in having no functional anal scent glands, and in being able to live its entire life without leaving the water. Two otter species are strictly marine: the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) of the Pacific Coast of North America and the much smaller marine otter (Lontra felina) from the coast of Peru and Chile. Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. Director General, Cree Hunters and Trappers Income Security Board, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The range of the Russian or Asian sea otter extends from northern Hokkaido, Japan to the Commander Islands in the western North Pacific. The sea otter is covered in dense fur that consists of two layers. They even love to live in swamp and marsh areas. Many live in the waters surrounding public lands including Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Kenai Fjords National Park and Glacier Bay National Park. We also see rafts of three to five otters between the harbor and just n… Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Just as estuaries can be good places for sea otters to live, in turn the otters can boost the health of estuaries. While in the water, they constantly search features such as logjams and deepwater pools for prey. In warmer regions crocodiles and alligators are threats. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, which is a family of … The sea otter, however, rarely comes ashore, according to the San Diego Zoo. Updates? Where do sea otters live? Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. When these creatures are in captivity, they have a slightly larger longevity, surpassing even the 20 years. The sea otter’s diet includes fish, crabs, molluscs, and sea urchins, and it has very strong teeth for crushing their shells. The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects sea otters. otter - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), otter - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Where do otters live? 9. Otters in Zoos. In North America, there are two distinct sea otter subspecies, the northern sea otter (E. l. kenyoni) and the southern sea otter (E. l. nereis). Feeding times are subject to change, and narrated feedings are canceled. North American river otters were hunted and trapped extensively for their fur in the 19th and 20th centuries, and are still hunted in some places. Description . The food sea otters eat can impact the entire ecosystem in which they live. Diet. They also tend to live on the east coast of Russia and Japan. They typically follow the shortest route possible and often establish much-used trails. What’s for Dinner – A sea otter’s favorite food is sea urchin, the horribly spiny little echinoderm (which ironically enough means “spiny skin”). Sea Otters do not live in deeper waters because then it is a longer dive for them to catch their food. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Otters do not usually fly. Historically, Sea otters could be found from Japan, along the coast of Siberia, down through Alaska, British Columbia and the eastern North American coast. Sea otter – This species lives on the Pacific coast of the North American continent. Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean while giant otters live in the tropical rain forests of South America. At night, sea otters may choose either to sleep on land or simply to rest afloat near beds of kelp. There are three main reasons that they are found in such locations. What do otters eat? Where Do Sea Otter Live? Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are an easily recognized and beloved marine mammal. They all eat fish, clams, lobsters and small animals occurring along the shore. River otters hunt visually while chasing fish, but they use their manual dexterity to dislodge crabs and crayfish from under rocks. Sea otters can live up to 23 years in the wild. 2. The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. Marine otters occupy the intertidal zone that covers the first 100–150 metres (roughly 330–500 feet) of coastal water and about 30 metres (100 feet) inland. Sea Otters need unpolluted nearshore marine habitats, usually having depths under 40 m, an abundant food supply consisting primarily of shellfish, and freedom from excessive human disturbance. Sea Otters need unpolluted nearshore marine habitats, usually having depths under 40 m, an abundant food supply consisting primarily of shellfish, and freedom from excessive human disturbance. Sea otter – This species lives on the Pacific coast of the North American continent. The sea otter's biome is of course, the ocean. Today, about 168,000 sea otters live off the coast of Alaska and Russia, with another 2,400 along the central California coast. Such stations may facilitate communication between individuals. Sea otters live in shallow coastal waters in the northern Pacific. Here they eat, reproduce, rest, or do any other social interactions. It is mostly solitary, and only rarely do groups of more than three animals occur. They live the majority of their lives on the ocean surface in areas where water is less than 130 ft deep. The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America. This small (3–6 kg [6.6–13.2 pounds]) otter occurs on the Pacific coast from Peru through Chile and Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. Sea otters are highly social and can be found floating in ‘rafts’ of 10 to 100 individuals. sea otters Sea otters at the Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. These can grow up to 6 ft long, almost 2 meters, and have a nasty bite, so you probably wouldn’t want to own one anyway! Did you know you can symbolically adopt your favorite otter? Rafts tend to consist of females and pups together, and separate groups of males. Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. They rarely appear on the shore and sleep, rocking on the waves, on their backs, clinging to algae so that they are not carried away by the current. Sea otters live for approximately 15 to 20 years. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. There is no specific breeding season in otters, so mating between animals occurs at any time of the year. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter.African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. Southern sea otters can live to approximately 15 years for males and 16 years for females. Diet often varies seasonally or locally, depending on which prey is available. Sea otters inhabit shallow coastal areas and prefer places with kelp. Ocean biomes are filled with salt, which is not very suitable for humans, but very suitable for sea life. Sea otters are spread around the colder regions of earth, in the ocean, hence their name, sea otter. The otter has a lithe and slender body with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flattened tail that helps propel the animal gracefully through water. The majority of sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean, which is one of the five main biomes. Southern sea otters range along the mainland coastline of California from San Mateo County to Santa Barbara County, and San Nicolas Island. They live the majority of their lives on the ocean surface in areas where water is less than 130 ft deep. The slough and wetlands, adjacent to the Monterey Bay, provide critical habitat for hundreds of species, including sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, great egrets and brown pelicans. SEA OTTER LIVE CAMERA. Thick fur of sea otters is the densest of all animals, it helps them to keep heat in cold water. It prohibits commercial harvest of sea otters, and allows Alaska natives to hunt sea otters for subsistence and creation of handicrafts. Sea otters do have a friendly and charismatic personality, but even with good intentions, it is almost never a good idea to approach a sea otter in the wild. Switch to SEABIRD CAM or SHARK CAM. After being captured in the teeth or forefeet, prey is consumed either in the water or on shore. 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