Facts About Sea Otters

Sea otters are aquatic mammals belonging to the weasel family. Sea otters are noted for their graceful maneuvering in the water and their often comical awkwardness on land.

Habitat

Sea otters make their homes along the northern coasts of the Pacific Ocean. Sea otters spend most of their time in the water and can often be found floating on beds of thick seaweed.

Lifespan

The lifespan of sea otters varies between genders. Males typically live for 10 to 15 years in the wild, while females live between 15 and 20. Though rare, otters can live in the wild for more than 20 years.

Diet

Sea otters are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. The diet of the sea otter mostly consists of clams, sea urchins, crabs, mussels and other aquatic life.

Appearance

Sea otters are generally about 4 feet in length, though some species can grow a bit larger. Otters can weigh up to 65 pounds. Otters have sleek, water-resistant brown fur and webbed feet.

Fun Fact

Sea otters are different from most marine mammals in that they don't have a layer of insulating blubber (fat) to keep them warm in frigid north Pacific waters. Instead they have the thickest fur of any mammal -- up to 1 million hairs in 1 square inch.

References

• Sea Otter
• Sea Otter -- National Geographic
• Sea Otter -- Marine Bio

Resources

• Sea Otter Printout