Sea otters are at the top of my must-see list when I visit an aquarium. I love to watch them play, swim, and interact! They’re surprisingly intelligent and extremely cute.
(In case you were wondering, sea otters aren’t the same as other otters, such as river otters or giant otters. Sea otters have fluffy bodies like beavers, whereas the other 12 species of otters have sleek, thin body types like weasels.)
Here are my top 10 favorite facts about these amazing marine mammals!
#1: Sea otters eat about 25% of their body weight each day in sea urchins, clams, crabs, and other fish.
#2: To crack open the hard shells of various shellfish, sea otters place the food on their stomachs, then smash the shells with a rock to break them open!
#3: Sea otters store their favorite rocks and snacks for later in a pouch on their arm.
#4: Sea otters can hold their breath for up to five minutes. That’s about five times longer than the average person!
#5: Sea otters float on their backs while they sleep for 11-12 hours each day. They hold hands with their mates or babies (called pups) to make sure they stay together!
#6: Before leaving to forage for food, mother sea otters tie long strands of kelp around their babies to keep them from floating away!
#7: Sea otters often congregate in groups called “rafts”. They can range from just a few members to over 100 otters!
#8: Sea otters have the densest fur of any animal on Earth! They have over a million hairs per square inch of skin.
#9: Sea otter babies are born with extra-fluffy fur that serves as a life jacket to keep them afloat! They shed this fluff when they learn to swim.
#10: With a little training, sea otters can learn simple tasks and solve puzzles!
I love seeing sea otters in person, but seeing pictures of them is almost as good! Which adorable sea otter photo is your favorite? Click the blue button below to vote (and get your daily dose of cuteness)! 👓