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Animal World
Sea Otter — photograph 1
📷 Wikimedia Commons · Free License
IUCN: Endangered

Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris

KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassMammalia›OrderCarnivora›FamilyMustelidae›GenusEnhydra
About

The sea otter is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (30–100 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals.

Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter is capable of living exclusively in the ocean.

Key Facts
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Habitat
Nearshore coastal waters, kelp forest ecosystems
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Diet
Sea urchins, crabs, clams, mussels, abalone
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Size & Weight
Body 1–1.5 m; weight 14–45 kg
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Lifespan
10–15 years wild
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Range
North Pacific coastline — California to Alaska to Russia and Japan
MammalMarine
Photo Credits
#1Wikimedia Commons · Free License
#2Mike Baird · CC BY 2.0
#3Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain