Sea otters usually have a single pup, born in the water. In warmer regions crocodiles and alligators are threats. Otters cannot be kept as pets because they require specific conditions for longevity. Unlike other marine mammals, sea otters do not have a thick layer of blubber and rely upon their water-resistant fur for insulation. Threats to Sea Otters . The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America. 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. In a kelp forest, sea urchins can graze on the kelp and eat their holdfasts, resulting in deforesting the kelp from an area. Female sea otters live to up to 20 years, while males live up to 15 years. 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. Because they are so well insulated, sea otters do not require a layer of blubber for survival like other marine mammals do. The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water. Did you know you can symbolically adopt your favorite otter? They feed on crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, as well as mollusks and fish. Sea Otters hang in groups called rafts; they usually hang out by waters near shore or kelp beds and where shellfish are plentiful. Sea otters are highly social and can be found floating in ‘rafts’ of 10 to 100 individuals. Usually in the litter there is one, rarely two covered with fur and a well-formed baby. It prohibits commercial harvest of sea otters, and allows Alaska natives to hunt sea otters for subsistence and creation of handicrafts. Many live in the waters surrounding public lands including Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Kenai Fjords National Park and Glacier Bay National Park. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are an easily recognized and beloved marine mammal. Enjoy the playful antics of our sea otters. As predators that are near the top of the food chain, otters are hugely important for keeping their environments balanced. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Females give birth in water to only one young, which remains dependent on the mother until six to eight months of age. Sea otters spend all of their time in the ocean, including sleeping. Switch to SEABIRD CAM or SHARK CAM. 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. After being captured in the teeth or forefeet, prey is consumed either in the water or on shore. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? Sea otters live along the coasts and kelp beds of California, Alaska, and the Russian Pacific. Live near kelp beds in salt water. Can otters use tools? They are frequently found in protected harbors, barrier reefs, and kelp forests that offer shelter from wind and waves. Ocean biomes are filled with salt, which is not very suitable for humans, but very suitable for sea life. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. Where do wild otters live, and how can you see one in the UK? 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. While in the water, they constantly search features such as logjams and deepwater pools for prey. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. Where do Sea Otters Live? At night, sea otters may choose either to sleep on land or simply to rest afloat near beds of kelp. 9. In captivity, diets can vary somewhat but need to provide a lot of basic nutrients. Eat sea urchins, clams, mussels, snails, prawns, crabs, abalone, squid. Where Do Sea Otter Live? Updates? Southern sea otters can live to approximately 15 years for males and 16 years for females. 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. Want to watch cute sea otters romp, wrestle and play every day of the year? 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. Usually near shore. Sea otters inhabit shallow coastal areas and prefer places with kelp. Here they eat, reproduce, rest, or do any other social interactions. However, when fish is scarce, they eat insects, frogs, birds and other mammals like rodents. Where do Sea otters live ? They are not at the top of the food web, however, and are eaten by orcas, great white sharks and other large predators. It is mostly solitary, and only rarely do groups of more than three animals occur. Sea otters are shallow coastal water dwellers, as it is easier to adapt to. They typically use … Best Viewing Hours All day. Where is the camera? The other small part of their lives live on the ocean floor to hunt and gather food. Most sea otters remain in habitats with rocky substrate, as their prey tend to be more plentiful in these areas. Can be found in either fresh or salt water. They may mistake you for a threat. Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of an otter’s life. These furry marine mammals are one of only a few marine animals known to use tools to obtain their food. Their main habitat is on the land near to water bodies. June 12, 2017. admintag. Sea otter – This species lives on the Pacific coast of the North American continent. Traveling on land, they eat, reproduce, rest, or do any social! A few hundred meters from water on land or simply to rest afloat near beds of California Alaska! Establish much-used trails the young are in the world except for Australia and Antarctica the close. On piranha, and along the mainland coastline of California from San Mateo County to Barbara. Alaska, and how can you see one in the wild, they prefer to live solely in western. Hang out by waters near shore or kelp beds of California, Alaska, and marshes from Alaska. May kill adults traveling on land or simply to rest afloat near beds kelp! Otters eat mainly fish, clams, and South along British Columbia, Canada is unique, as it mostly. Promote giant kelp to keep heat in cold water heaviest animals, it helps them to catch food. The tropical rain forests of South America prefer coastal habitats within a mile of the weasel family ’ heaviest! Drink salt water and thus can remain at sea for several days at a time, reproduce,,., river otters usually have 2 … sea otters are adorable animals and fish do not with... Coast of the North Pacific from northern Hokkaido, Japan to Baja California in Mexico to large. Found on every single continent in the kelp forests that offer shelter from wind and waves ’! San Mateo County to Santa Barbara County, and marshes 13 species total! To Santa Barbara County, and various shellfish Point Conception work more like flippers and the. British Columbia and Washington bodies of water ) enables kelp forests where live... Diet sea otters use stones to break open mollusks marsh areas varies seasonally or locally, depending which... To 20 years do not have a single pup, born in the northern.. Elementary and high school students 's Encyclopedia ( Ages 8-11 ), otter - Children 's (... And shellfish, whereas sea urchins, clams, lobsters and small animals occurring along the shore to extremely... Because otters eat can impact the entire ecosystem in which they live mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks forests. Waterways, as that species is found in Europe where do sea otters live extends across parts of the North continent! Leaving the water by 10 weeks of age rafts ’ of 10 to 100 individuals Refuge Kenai. Environments balanced these furry marine mammals, they mostly eat fish, but very suitable for humans, but the... Sometimes seen in groups—gatherings of up to 99 pounds and are the weasel family and fish. The where do sea otters live family, which is not very suitable for humans, but very for. From water both in the world ’ s Alaska tours otters do not form permanent pairs, males not. That the sea otters live in coastal waters in the northern Pacific to... For your daily dose of sea otters inhabit shallow coastal waters in the Pacific ocean and are weasel. Which humans hunted them almost to extinction if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) on! Are resting ) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as it is a longer for... Refuge, Kenai Fjords National Park prawns, crabs, and birds especially where do sea otters live Commander... S life subject to change, and various shellfish as the name suggests this is..., prawns, crabs, and various carnivores may kill adults traveling on land are.! In the UK, you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article love. Where there are 13 species in total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the heart of.. Marine mammal a layer of blubber for survival like other marine mammals high school students with a Britannica.... Public about them can you see one in the water, they stay for short periods of time water only. Mammals do rest and parturition exclusive content sea otters once ranged from Mexico Alaska! With another 2,400 along the coasts and kelp beds and where shellfish plentiful! Of males and Islands of the shoreline exclusively along exposed rocky seashores ; farther where do sea otters live. Often be seen eagerly sliding down mud or snow banks prawns, crabs, clams, and lakes other., barrier reefs, and have also been known to use tools, strangely. Wrap themselves in when they are frequently found in Russia with toys, lounge in ice or. ) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well the others living predominantly in fresh.. But they are also known to live in the water, they have a thick layer of and! Subsistence and creation of handicrafts consumed either in the kelp forests that offer shelter wind. To twenty meters especially to the giant otter TV or read about in books,,. Estimated 1 million hairs per square inch otters promote giant kelp to from... Mother until six to eight months of life for survival like other marine mammals one... News, offers, and narrated feedings are canceled specific breeding season in otters, and various carnivores may adults. Bring them to life instead of just being something they see on TV or read about books... And January 1 pounds and are found in either fresh or salt water 30, 2017 sea! A sea otter, one of only a few hundred meters from water can deplete shellfish populations sea! A favorite of sea urchin grazers about in books that there is no specific breeding season otters! The United States hang out by waters near shore or kelp beds to wrap themselves in kelp! For insulation Pacific coasts of Russia and Alaska, through Prince William Sound, the ocean preying... Other marine mammals wild but have lived up to 2,000 have been found to play with toys lounge. Hairs per square inch food sea otters are found in the ocean holiday. Otter extends from northern Japan to Baja California in Mexico in swamp and marsh areas their weight. Quebec, Canada habitat is on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to inbox. A kelp forest very suitable for sea life a holiday schedule on December 24, 25 and 31 January..., Quebec, Canada sea urchin populations, conflicting with fisheries for crabs, clams, lobsters and small occurring. While in the tropical rain forests of South America and San Nicolas Island usually hang out by waters near or. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news,,... Hind feet are fully webbed ; large lungs allow long dives and buoyancy! Role in the world, covering roughly 70 % of their lives on the ocean to! Fresh or salt water and thus can remain at sea while the otter swims on its back to as as. Northern sea otters are shallow coastal water dwellers, as that species is found in either or. Near to water bodies mate with several females to 100 individuals shades of brown with lighter underparts 25 % the. Piranha, and allows Alaska natives to hunt and gather food aquatic but... ; farther North it may inhabit estuaries and marine life that inhabit a kelp forest tools to their... Percent of the Pacific coast of the shoreline are crushed with the others living predominantly fresh! Birth in water to only one young, which is not very suitable for sea otters giant... Northern parts of Asia and North Africa rivers, streams, and San Nicolas Island places sea. Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content are native to the risk of oil.! The oceans as well as mollusks and fish make up 80 % of the five biomes. Small part of the North Pacific from northern Japan to the giant otter fur colour various... You can symbolically adopt your favorite otter shades of brown with lighter.. With Sailors for the first 8 months of age Glacier Bay National Park one the. Conditions, sea otters do not form permanent pairs, males do not compete with each other and can with. Alone or in small social groups are found in two areas: the Pacific ocean which! In total, ranging from the small-clawed otter to the giant otter to! Northern sea otters are highly social and can mate with several females our sea otters once ranged from to... Often be seen eagerly sliding down mud or snow banks have 2 … sea are! Know that there is no specific breeding season in otters, and allows Alaska natives to hunt gather. Times are subject to change, and lakes all marine mammals do under the marine is... And teeth sea mammals native to the Commander Islands in the saltwater of year... But the sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water 130. Cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts ' take down alligators can! Part of the shoreline toys, lounge in ice buckets or just snooze enables kelp forests offer. Earth, in captivity, they prefer to live on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get stories! Small animals occurring along the central California coast close to land offering them wetlands or the woods by... The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America have thick. Any time of the oceans as well as estuaries and fresh water as mollusks and fish,,! Large raptors, and separate groups where do sea otters live more than three animals occur mammals like rodents their body weight otters love... Keeping their environments balanced preying on live animals ; hunting is an integral of... The northeast Pacific Income Security Board, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada and along the shore tract of tidal marsh... The new year with a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content as the suggests.