Sea otters are a keystone species and play a critical role in the food web of the kelp forest, so much so that even terrestrial species are influenced by sea otter activity. Sea otters are unique in the otter family as the only species to give birth in the water. Sea otter moms invest so much energy in raising their pups that they risk their own survival, a new study suggests. Adult sea otters … A sea otter and her one-week-old pup in Monterey Bay, California, in 2009. The sea otter, once hunted for its fur, is making a comeback Sea otters, which once numbered fewer than 2,000 globally, returned to Canadian waters in 1969. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. Sea otters are the only otters to give birth in the water. California’s southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. These sea … As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. They are generally found in open water, where they prefer to fish, but are sometimes found in rivers near the coast as well. It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week!! Sea otters are aquatic mammals found in the northern and north-eastern Pacific Ocean coastal areas of Asia and North America, and although they can venture onto land, they perform all or most actions in water, from sleeping, breeding and eating. Average length of an adult California sea otter is about 4 ft. A group of sea otters … Sea Otter | National Geographic. * SEA OTTER * | Animals For KidsQuality, educational videos for kids. 1. ), and female California sea otters weigh on average 20 kg (44 lbs.) Even a baby sea otter can stay warm on the open ocean, but they do need some help from their mothers. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Find out how in this "Weird But True!" Sea otters have small front legs and stiff toes for handling food, while strong back legs with webbed feet allow for graceful paddling through the water. Bibliography "Sea Otters, Sea Otter Pictures, Sea Otter Facts - National Geographic." 7. At birth, the weight of a pup is 3 to 5 pounds. This makes up for its lack of blubber in the cold Pacific water. Sea otters can eat up to 75 mussels per hour. Learn how this aquatic mammal is making a comeback from near extinction. Generally, the male sea otters grows from 3.11 to 4.11 feet in length and weighs around 49 to 99 pounds. There have been thousands of amazing Wild sea otters typically have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years. They hunt underwater, skillfully chasing fish, their main food. Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. animal facts about our planet’s incredible wildlife. Both mating and birth take place in the water, and males have harems of several females. 14 Surprising Facts About Sea Otters Widely considered the cutest animal in the ocean, sea otters have a troubled history with humans. Apr 6, 2020 - Encourage reading and inspire young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, games, and more! Sea otter pups aren’t just adorable, they’re also amazing. Ecological niche. Without sea otters, sea urchins can overpopulate the sea … Female: Adult female Alaskan sea otters can reach weights of up to 33 kg (72 lbs. They can be found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. (Photo: Frans Lanting/National Geographic) The sea otter is one of the few mammal species on Earth to use a tool to help it hunt and feed. They once stretched from Japan through Russia … Most sea … These semi-aquatic mammals feed on fish, squid, and shellfish. Read about sea otter … Although the sea otter population has increased since these animals became protected, its geographic … Matched it with the Sea Otter stuffy! National Geographic. An otter’s lung capacity is 2.5 times greater … Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading National Geographic Readers: Sea Otters. The marine mammals spend about 930 megajoules—a measure of energy—to bring up baby, which is the equivalent of burning through 133 percent of their body mass. National Geographic. Sea otters play a vital role in the health and stability of the nearshore marine ecosystem as a keystone species Sea otters eat 25 percent of their body weight each day in sea urchins, crabs, clams, snails and other invertebrates. Float away female sea otters are unique in the cold Pacific water to the point of near extinction animal freezing! 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