1. Friends Of The Sea Otter (FSO) Sea Otter (FSO) is an advocacy group dedicated to actively working with state andfederal agencies to maintain the current protections for sea otters as well http://www.seaotters.org/

FSO History Current Issues Past Actions Membership Information ... Contact Us Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO) is an advocacy group dedicated to actively working with state and federal agencies to maintain the current protections for sea otters as well as to increase and broaden these preservation efforts. We wish to inspire the public at large about the otters' unique behavior and habitat. During the fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries, southern sea otters were hunted to near extinction. Today only about 2,200 otters can be found off California's central coast. Since January 1977, US Fish and Wildlife Service has placed sea otters on the Endangered Species list so they are protected by state and federal laws. For Information about our FREE IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM ( click here Would you like to join Friends of the Sea Otter and help us protect this remarkable animal? Please click here to SIGN UP AS A NEW MEMBER . You will receive an immediate 15% Discount on any purchases you make when you SHOP AT OUR ONLINE STORE . All membership dues, donations and profits from our retail and online sales directly support FSO’s ongoing advocacy and educational programs. For Information about the Southern Sea Otter ( in English ) Datos Sobre la Nutria Marina del Sur ( en Espanol ) MyCause.com

2. Monterey Bay Aquarium: Sea Otter Exhibit - Otter Cam Live streaming images of the Monterey Bay Aquariums sea otter exhibit. Outer Bay. Penguins. Sea Otter Cons. sea otters. Seafood Watch Male juvenile sea otters can cover hundreds of kilometers http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/efc_fo/fo_ottr_cam.asp

new MenuItem('vi','/images/shared/nav/visitor.gif','/images/shared/nav/visitor_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/visitor_select.gif','1','/vi/') new MenuItem('efc','/images/shared/nav/exhibits.gif','/images/shared/nav/exhibits_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/exhibits_select.gif','1','/efc/') new MenuItem('cr','/images/shared/nav/conservation.gif','/images/shared/nav/conservation_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/conservation_select.gif','1','/cr/') new MenuItem('lc','/images/shared/nav/learning.gif','/images/shared/nav/learning_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/learning_select.gif','1','/lc/') new MenuItem('aa','/images/shared/nav/about.gif','/images/shared/nav/about_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/about_select.gif','1','/aa/') new MenuItem('md','/images/shared/nav/members.gif','/images/shared/nav/members_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/members_select.gif','1','/md/') menuItemSetState('efc', kMenuItemState_Selected) -select- Deep Sea Jellies Kelp Forest Monterey Bay Outer Bay Penguins Sea Otter Cons. Sea Otters Seafood Watch No doggie bag needed! Sea otters hide rocks or food in pouches of skin under the forelegs. Our exhibit otters also like to hide toys in their pockets! Sea otters live in loose-knit groups called rafts. Rafts often sleep side by side, wrapped up in strands of kelp, so that they don't drift far from each other.

3. OceanInfo: Sea Otters, Enhydra Lutris Based on morphological differences in color, body and skull sizes, three subspeciesof sea otters have been proposed historically El lutris Linn., the http://oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/otterpage/otter.html

Systematics Morphology Distribution Biology ... References The biology of animals that have been traditionally hunted are usually well known. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Enhydra lutris , the sea otter, was heavily exploited by man, prized universally for its exceptionally warm, sheik and tremendously valuable pelt. Subsequently, in order to maximize harvest yield, the human predatory machine studied sea otter biology intently. This cute, furry, charismatic species was so well hunted that it was extirpated along most of its historical range in North America. A second wave of study in sea otter biology was initiated at the beginning of the twentieth century in efforts to prevent the animal's extinction. Recent studies of E. lutris appear to emerge from all areas of science. Currently, numerous scientific papers are being published on many different scales in the disciplines of physiology, ecology, behaviour, pathology, and conservation of this animal. The resources utilized in the synthesis of this page represent a very minute fraction of the myriad of past and current publications dedicated to Enhydra lutris Systematics The sea otter ( Enhydra lutris , Linnaeus 1758) is the only member of the genus Enhydra (Fig.1). It is the largest member of the family Mustelidae which includes approximately 70 species; the otter is also the smallest marine mammal and is the only one in the order Carnivora. Based on morphological differences in color, body and skull sizes, three sub-species of sea otters have been proposed historically:

4. Home - The Otter Project Its midApril and the local media is full of sea otter news, unfortunately, its not good news News Kids Research. About sea otters About Us Links Contact Us Site http://www.otterproject.org/

Search Word on the Beach -The E.D.'s Blog Steve Shimek Executive Director Click here for more Word on the beach Home base for members and activists. Read the otter news. Take action to save otters. Contribute. Facts and figures! How many hairs does a sea otter have? Help save sea otter NOW! Tools to write your congressman. Stop pollution. Speak out, make some noise. NOW! Home Community Center Take Action News ... Site Map Newsletter Sign up Action Alert Sign up Join Us! Donate! Take Action Now Tell Friends Send a Postcard ... Login

5. Help Save The Sea Otters Find Out More . Sea Otter Video . Official Defenders Gear . You can help save sea otters by using a Defenders of Wildlife credit card. Apply Today! Our Privacy Policy sea otters are what scientists refer to as "keystone species " a term that refers to their http://www.saveseaotters.org/

Sea Otter Animation Find Out More Sea Otter Video Official Defenders Gear Defenders Home Page You can help save sea otters by using a Defenders of Wildlife credit card. Apply Today! Defenders of Wildlife does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to others. A Project of: Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th St, NW Washington, DC 20036 For many years, it appeared that the southern sea otter was destined to be a success story of endangered species, saved from the brink of extinction. After being rediscovered along the California coast in the 1930s, the population grew from only a few hundred beleaguered animals to nearly 2,400 individuals in 1995. But during the last 8 years, from 1995 to 2003, the population has been in a state of decline in 6 of those 8 years. And, rather than increasing the population is remaining stable or decreasing and exhibiting an unusually high mortality rate over the last several years. Sea otters are what scientists refer to as "keystone species," a term that refers to their functional role within their ecosystem. The feeding habits of the sea otter have a top-down effect on the marine ecosystem, meaning that their actions affect organisms lower in the food chain. Sea otters are also indicators of the health of that ecosystem.

6. Monterey Bay Aquarium: Aquarium Exhibits - Live Sea Otter Exhibit Information about the Sea Otter exhibit and the care and feeding of sea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California. Our sea otters came to us as orphaned pups. All our exhibit sea http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/efc_fo/fo_otter.asp

new MenuItem('vi','/images/shared/nav/visitor.gif','/images/shared/nav/visitor_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/visitor_select.gif','1','/vi/') new MenuItem('efc','/images/shared/nav/exhibits.gif','/images/shared/nav/exhibits_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/exhibits_select.gif','1','/efc/') new MenuItem('cr','/images/shared/nav/conservation.gif','/images/shared/nav/conservation_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/conservation_select.gif','1','/cr/') new MenuItem('lc','/images/shared/nav/learning.gif','/images/shared/nav/learning_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/learning_select.gif','1','/lc/') new MenuItem('aa','/images/shared/nav/about.gif','/images/shared/nav/about_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/about_select.gif','1','/aa/') new MenuItem('md','/images/shared/nav/members.gif','/images/shared/nav/members_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/members_select.gif','1','/md/') menuItemSetState('efc', kMenuItemState_Selected) Aquarium Exhibits Our Sea Otter Exhibit Meet Our Otters Otter Cam Care and Feeding Our Active Otters ... Otter Cam Live Camera Stream Feedings/Shows Sea Otter Program 10:30, 1:30, 3:30 Daily

7. Monterey Bay Aquarium: Aquarium Exhibits - Live Sea Otter Exhibit Information about the Sea Otter exhibit and the care and feeding ofsea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California. http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/efc_fo/fo_ottr_exhibit.asp

new MenuItem('vi','/images/shared/nav/visitor.gif','/images/shared/nav/visitor_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/visitor_select.gif','1','/vi/') new MenuItem('efc','/images/shared/nav/exhibits.gif','/images/shared/nav/exhibits_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/exhibits_select.gif','1','/efc/') new MenuItem('cr','/images/shared/nav/conservation.gif','/images/shared/nav/conservation_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/conservation_select.gif','1','/cr/') new MenuItem('lc','/images/shared/nav/learning.gif','/images/shared/nav/learning_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/learning_select.gif','1','/lc/') new MenuItem('aa','/images/shared/nav/about.gif','/images/shared/nav/about_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/about_select.gif','1','/aa/') new MenuItem('md','/images/shared/nav/members.gif','/images/shared/nav/members_on.gif','/images/shared/nav/members_select.gif','1','/md/') menuItemSetState('efc', kMenuItemState_Selected) Aquarium Exhibits Our Sea Otter Exhibit Meet Our Otters Otter Cam Care and Feeding Our Active Otters ... Otter Cam Live Camera Stream Feedings/Shows Sea Otter Program 10:30, 1:30, 3:30 Daily

8. OceanLink Answers To Seal, Sea Otter And Manatee Questions BACK TO SEAL INDEX OR ANSWER FILE. sea otters. Sea A. Although sea ottersdo enjoy eating sea urchins, this is not their only food! They http://oceanlink.island.net/ask/seals.html

ASK A SCIENTIST ANSWERS TO Seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters,Walrus, QUESTIONS Index to Questions Seal appetites Seal information Frequencies Heard by Seals Harbour Seals and Fisheries ... Freshwater Harbour Seals Sea Lion Vocalizations Sea Lion Breeding Grounds Seal cells Harbour Seal Seasons Whales vs. Seals SEA OTTERS Sea Otter Distribution in B.C. Sea Otter Diet Sea Otter Feeding Habits Sea Otter Drink Declining Sea Otter Populations Sea Otter Reproduction Sea Otter Life Expectancy ... Migrating Manatees WALRUS Walrus evolution Seal Appetites Q: How much do seals eat a day, and how long do they live? A: There are so many different seal species in the world that its difficult to say what they can eat in a day. The harbour seals at the Vancouver aquarium eat an average of 8.1 percent of their body weight each day. That's a lot of food! If a 100 pound human had to eat eight percent of his weight each day it would mean consuming about eight pounds of food. The average lifespan of all pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) is about 15-25 years. Seals (received November 12 from ? on Vancouver Island)

9. Golden State Images - California Sea Otter Photographs - Stock Photography Photography of sea otters taken in the wild along the southern California coast. http://www.goldenstateimages.com/otter.htm

Natural History Photography of California [ Photography ] California Sea Otter Photographs Enhydra lutris See Also - Marine Mammals Big Sur Coast Dolphin Kelp Forest ... Seals Range: Alaska to California. In the early nineteen hundreds Sea Otters were decimated for their prized pelts. By 1911 they were presumed extinct throughout their entire range, but a small group had survived along the California coast. Today, about 2000 are believed to inhabit the coast and they continue to repopulate their historical range. They live in shallow coastal waters among kelp beds and areas rich with shellfish. Click to display large format. Click for more related images. All Images , Randy Morse. Updated: May 16, 2004

10. Sea Otters, California Apos;s Threatened Treasure sea otters, California apos;s Threatened Treasure This ThinkQuest Junior site contains information about the sea otter. Included are facts about the sea otter apos;s habitat, what they eat, how http://rdre1.inktomi.com/click?u=http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111704/&y=0

11. Sea Otter -- Kids' Planet -- Defenders Of Wildlife California, or southern, sea otters are listed as “threatened” under the federalEndangered Species Act (ESA) and “fully protected” under California http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/otter.html

Defenders of Wildlife 1101 Fourteenth St. Suite 1400 Washington, DC Tel: 202-682-9400 Fax: 202-682-1331 STATUS: California, or southern, sea otters are listed as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and “fully protected” under California state law. No other U.S. otter population is currently listed under the ESA. In 2003, there is a push to list a stock of the Alaskan sea otters, or northern sea otters, as “endangered” under the ESA. In Canada , the otter population in British Columbia is classified as “threatened” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). All of the otters in the U.S. are protected under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). DESCRIPTION: The sea otter has the thickest fur in the animal kingdom. Unlike other marine mammals, the sea otter does not have a layer of blubber (fat) to help keep it warm. If an otter’s fur gets coated with oil or any other substance, it can easily die from cold and exposure. SIZE: The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. Southern sea otters typically reach about four feet in length. Females average 45 pounds, while males average 65 pounds. Northern sea otters can reach up to 100 pounds.

12. Arctic Studies Center sea otters are playful animals that spend almost all their time in the sea. In thedaytime sea otters float on their backs eating Abalone, their favorite food. http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/sea_otter.html

Vikings Looking Both Ways Arctic Wildlife Crossroads/Continents Yup'ik Masks Alutiiq Dance Arctic Social Sciences Repatriation Yamal Ainu Get Plug-ins Help Printing Credits Sea Otter Enhydra lutris Sea Otters are playful animals that spend almost all their time in the sea. They eat, sleep, and even have their babies in the water. In the daytime sea otters float on their backs eating Abalone, their favorite food. To open the Abalone shell they place a small rock on their chest and smash the shell against it. Sea otters are one of the few mammals, beside humans, that use tools. They will use strands of kelp to tie themselves into the kelp beds for a secure night's sleep. They love to frolic with other otters and seals. Unlike seals and walrus, sea otters have no blubber to keep them warm in the cold arctic waters. Air trapped in their fur keeps them warm and bouyant. Oil spills can damage this fine fur and cause the otter to get very cold and die. That is why volunteers cleaned the sea otters so carefully after the oil spills in Alaska. Sea otters also faced great dangers from hunters who wanted their valuable coats. They were hunted so heavily in the 18-19th Centuries that they had to be placed on the U.S. government endangered species list. Now the populations have come back to a large extent, but conservationists would like to continue to protect them. Fishermen would like them off the endangered species list in order to protect the abalone harvest.

13. Friends Of The Sea Otter - Otter_Info - FAQs About Sea Otters Frequently Asked Questions about sea otters. Whom are sea otters related to? sea otters are part of the Mustelid or weasel family, which includes http://www.seaotters.org/Otters/index.cfm?DocID=109

14. Animal Bytes: Sea Otter Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Mustelidae Genus species Enhydra lutrisStatus sea otters once lived along most of the coastal North Pacific Ocean. http://www.seaworld.org/AnimalBytes/sea_otterab.html

sea otter Fast Facts Common Name: sea otter Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus species: Enhydra lutris Status: Sea otters once lived along most of the coastal North Pacific Ocean. That was before fur traders hunted them for their thick, luxurious pelts. By the year 1900, sea otters were nearly extinct. Today they're protected. The California population is still smallabout 2,000 sea otters spread over only about 226 km (140 mi.) of central California coastline. California sea otters are listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. Fun Facts 1. Two separate populations of sea otters live in North America: Alaska sea otters and California sea otters. 2. The sea otter's brown to black fur is the finest and densest of any animal fur. On a large animal, there an estimated 650,000 hairs per square inch. A sea otter relies on its fur to keep it warmit doesn't have blubber as other marine mammals do. Natural oils in a sea otter's fur repel water and trap tiny air bubbles, providing a layer of warm air between the otter's skin and the harsh elements of its environment. 3. Sea otters spend up to 48% of the daylight hours grooming their fur. They groom by rubbing fur with their forepaws. Their strong claws comb and rake the fur. Then they roll and whirl in the water to smooth their fur.

15. Animal Bytes - Sea Otter Habitat Population Status sea otters once lived along most of the coastal NorthPacific Ocean. More information about sea otters. Return to Animal Bytes. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/d

Sea Otter Common Name: sea otter Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus species: Enhydra lutris FAST FACTS FUN FACTS BIBLIOGRAPHY Fast Facts Description: Size: Weight: Diet: Gestation: Sexual maturity: Life span: Range: Habitat: Population: Status: Sea otters once lived along most of the coastal North Pacific Ocean. That was before fur traders hunted them for their thick, luxurious pelts. By the year 1900, sea otters were nearly extinct. Today they're protected. The California population is still smallabout 2,000 sea otters spread over only about 226 km (140 mi.) of central California coastline. California sea otters are listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. RETURN TO TOP Fun Facts Two separate populations of sea otters live in North America: Alaska sea otters and California sea otters. The sea otter's brown to black fur is the finest and densest of any animal fur. On a large animal, there an estimated 650,000 hairs per square inch. A sea otter relies on its fur to keep it warmit doesn't have blubber as other marine mammals do. Natural oils in a sea otter's fur repel water and trap tiny air bubbles, providing a layer of warm air between the otter's skin and the harsh elements of its environment.

16. Arctic Studies Center sea otters are playful animals that spend almost all their time in the sea In the daytime sea otters float on their backs eating Abalone, their favorite food http://www.nmnh.si.edu/arctic/html/sea_otter.html

Vikings Looking Both Ways Arctic Wildlife Crossroads/Continents Yup'ik Masks Alutiiq Dance Arctic Social Sciences Repatriation Yamal Ainu Get Plug-ins Help Printing Credits Sea Otter Enhydra lutris Sea Otters are playful animals that spend almost all their time in the sea. They eat, sleep, and even have their babies in the water. In the daytime sea otters float on their backs eating Abalone, their favorite food. To open the Abalone shell they place a small rock on their chest and smash the shell against it. Sea otters are one of the few mammals, beside humans, that use tools. They will use strands of kelp to tie themselves into the kelp beds for a secure night's sleep. They love to frolic with other otters and seals. Unlike seals and walrus, sea otters have no blubber to keep them warm in the cold arctic waters. Air trapped in their fur keeps them warm and bouyant. Oil spills can damage this fine fur and cause the otter to get very cold and die. That is why volunteers cleaned the sea otters so carefully after the oil spills in Alaska. Sea otters also faced great dangers from hunters who wanted their valuable coats. They were hunted so heavily in the 18-19th Centuries that they had to be placed on the U.S. government endangered species list. Now the populations have come back to a large extent, but conservationists would like to continue to protect them. Fishermen would like them off the endangered species list in order to protect the abalone harvest.

17. Sea Otter Population Today there are fewer than 2,000 southern sea otters off the coast ofCalifornia. Southern sea otters typically reach about four feet in length. http://www.npca.org/marine_and_coastal/marine_wildlife/seaotter.asp

www.eParks.org>> Marine Wildlife MARINE WILDLIFE American Alligator ... Make a Difference SEA OTTER (Enhydra lutris) Factoid: The sea otter has the thickest fur in the animal kingdom. Status: Threatened off California. Population: Today there are fewer than 2,000 southern sea otters off the coast of California. Almost 150,000 northern sea otters inhabit the coastline of Alaska, and there are approximately 9,000 in Russia (Siberia). Two hundred years ago, demand for the otter's pelt nearly led to its extinction. Threats: Oil spills, habitat loss, plastic entanglement, and conflict with abalone fishermen. Survival: The average sea otter lives 10 or 11 years. Unlike other marine mammals, the sea otter does not have a layer of blubber (fat) to help keep it warm. If an otter's fur gets coated with oil or any other substance, the otter can easily die from cold and exposure. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family. Southern sea otters typically reach about four feet in length. Females average 45 pounds, while males average 65 pounds. Alaskan or northern sea otters can reach up to 100 pounds.

18. OTTERNET.COM - Homepage sea otters use rocks to pry abalone off rocks and to break open shells.Our sea otters are one of the rare mammals who use tools. We http://www.otternet.com/

Home Links Species Habitat ... Kids Otternet.com - Your Source for Otter Fun, Facts, and Faces If you are looking for information on otters, you've come to the right place! Otternet has a wealth of interesting facts on otters. Our 40 + pages will help you with getting the information you need. Otternet is the largest resource on the Internet for otter information. We have in-depth species profiles giving you tons of information on all 13 species of otter. We also have habitat overviews for the five continents otters live on; there you can find which otters live in each country, what the threats to them are, and their conservation status. Otternet was formed to help educate people on otters - providing a wealth of facts not found anywhere else on the web, including a comprehensive Links page. Many species of otter are either threatened or endangered. Otters, once sought after for their fur, are making a comeback in some areas. Although there is still the threat of illegal poaching, otters are faring better than earlier this century due to the assistance of many organizations throughout the world. Inhabiting five of the continents of the world, Otters are truly amazing mammals. Otters are unique in many ways. For instance, Otters are the only marine mammals to have fur instead of blubber. There are thirteen species of otters alive today. There used to be fourteen, but the fourteenth otter, Maxwell's otter, is presumed extinct due to draining of their waters to perform genocide in Iraq. Otters are very smart; they are one of only a handful of tool using mammals. Sea Otters use rocks to pry abalone off rocks and to break open shells.

19. OTTERNET.COM Species Profiles- Sea Otter Sea Otter. There are, in fact, two kinds of sea otters, Southern SeaOtters, which live more to the south than Alaskan sea otters. http://www.otternet.com/species/seaotter.htm

Home Links Species Habitat ... Kids Species Profile: Sea Otter Enhydra lutris The sea Otter is perhaps the best known otters. When you think of an otter, most probably the first thing that comes to your mind is the cute, cuddily face of the Southern Sea Otter. There are, in fact, two kinds of Sea Otters, Southern Sea Otters, which live more to the south than Alaskan Sea Otters. Other than the distinction in size and habitat, they are very much alike. Sea Otters are unique marine mammals in that they use tools such as rocks to open their prey such as the shells of abalone. These social otters float in rafts in the Pacific Ocean just offshore. They have extraordinarily dense fur to keep them warm and are the heaviest otter species. E-mail Next: North American River Otter Galleries Bottom Size From the head to the body it is 550 mm. to 1300 mm., the tail is 125 mm. to 330 mm., making the total length from 675 mm. to 1630 mm. Now that is BIG! Sea Otters are the heaviest of all the otters, and with the males weighing up to 45 kg that is not hard to believe. Feet The Sea Otter has small fore paws that have no noticeable fingers. The back paws look a lot like flippers because of the webbed toes. When swimming underwater, the Sea Otter is a great navigator. The hind feet push the sea otter foward in great swoops, and the front paws pull it along. The paws do not look really sensitive or manipulative, but surprisingly they are quite agile. Sea Otters have short semi-retractable claws on their paws. The otters can rub, roll, pull, and twist with lots of strength. They are agile enough to take buttons, belts, rings, and things in pockets with ease that only comes from pickpockets. The Sea Otter will use its paws to stash food from the bottom of the ocean in baggy pockets of skin under its forelegs. Once back on the top, floating comfortably on its back and anchored to kelp, the Otter will retrieve the food, sometimes opening it with a rock on its belly, and enjoy its meal.

20. Sea Otter Printout- EnchantedLearning.com Sea Otter Printout. sea otters are sleek, furry, streamlined marine mammalsthat live along rocky Pacific Ocean coasts. They are a type of weasel. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/weasel/Seaotterprintout.shtml

Become a member of Enchanted Learning. Click here for more information on site membership. $20.00/year or other amount (directly by Credit Card $20.00/year (transaction via PayPal Other Amount (transaction via PayPal As a thank-you bonus, site members have access to a banner-ad-free version of the site, with print-friendly pages. (Already a member? Click here. EnchantedLearning.com More Mammal Printouts EnchantedLearning.com Sea Otter Animal Printouts Label Me! Printouts Sea otters are sleek, furry, streamlined marine mammals that live along rocky Pacific Ocean coasts, bays, and kelp beds. They are found from the coast of California through Alaska and along the eastern coast of Russia to northern Japan. This type of weasel spends most of its time in the water, where it is fast and graceful; it is slow and awkward on land. The scientific name is Enhydra lutris (Genus species). The sea otter is a protected species because of previous overhunting (they were once hunted for their thick, dense fur). Anatomy : Sea otters are up to about 4 feet (1.3 meters) long and weigh from 45 to 82 pounds (20-37 kilograms). They have webbed hind feet which they use to swim; the forefeet are smaller. The claws are semi-retractible. The ears and nostrils close when the otter is underwater. Sea otters sleep and rest on their backs, usually anchored in a kelp (seaweed) bed. Fur : Sea otters are kept warm in the cold Pacific Ocean by their dense fur and high metabolism; they are the only marine mammal that has no layer of insulating fat. Sea otters have the densest fur of any mammal; the coat has over half a million hairs per square inch. Careful grooming with the forepaws keeps the fur waterproof. Oil spills cause the fur to lose its waterproof quality, causing the sea otter to get hypothermia, usually killing it.

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