Sea otters are multi-talented creatures who excel at a wide range of tasks, including swimming and problem-solving. They have a lovely and endearing appearance.
They are the largest member of the weasel family. For most of the otters, Alaska is their home. Around 90% of the world sea otters live in Alaska.
Adult sea otters can grow up to 5 feet in length and male otters can weigh up to 80 to 100 pounds whereas females can be of 50 to 70 pounds.sea otters have the densest fur among the mammals.
Their fur can be black or brown .sea otters are also crucial for the ecosystem.
Sea otters are keystone species
Sea otter are top predators near the shores, they are a keystone species to maintain a balance in the near shore ecosystem and helps to protect kelp forest and estuaries. Sea otters help to control the population of sea urchins near the shores which devour the kelp forest and estuaries. Also sea otters helps to control atmospheric CO2 level as kelp forest and estuaries absorb carbon dioxide.
Where sea otters were found
Sea otters lives only a few miles away from the coastal shorelines. Sea otters are mainly found in two areas, first in the Pacific Coast of Russia & Alaska and second along the central California coast.
There are three subspecies of sea otters
1. Russian or Asian sea otters
Russian sea otters are mainly found in kuril island.
2. Southern California sea otters
Southern sea otters live along the California coast, from moon Bay to Santa Barbara.
3. northern or Alaskan sea otters
Northern sea otters were found along the coast of Oregon, Washington, Alaska and the aleutian and pribilof islands.
Some quick facts about sea otters
Fact 1:- Sea otters consume around a quarter of their body weight in food each day. Urchins and crabs are among their favourite foods.
Fact 2 :- They have a metabolism that is 2-3 times that of any other comparable-sized land animal.
Fact 3 :- The fur of sea otters is the thickest of any species on the world.
Fact 4 :- Sea otters are completely waterproof due to their dense fur. It also aids in their warmth.
Fact 5 :- They have an estimated 1 million hairs per square inch on their skin.
Fact 6 :- Otters like to sleep in groups, thus they will wrap themselves in seaweed and float in a group.
Fact 7 :- Because the surface air trapped in their fur keeps them buoyant, sea otters are good at floating in the water.
Fact 8 :- Sea otters' roughage is defined by the colour of their fur, which tends to lighten with age.
Fact 9 :- They're well-known for their ability to solve problems.
Fact 10 :- Sea otters are capable of living their entire lives underwater.
Fact 11 :- One of the few mammals capable of utilising tools is the otter.
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