Sea otter
The sea otter is one of 13 species of otter and is a member of the weasel family. It can be found on the Pacific coasts of North America and Asia.
Sea otters spend most of their lives in the water
Sea otters spend most of their lives in the water and, unlike any other otter, even give birth in the water.
Cute factor – Fluffy
Sea otters are the furriest of all the otters with an amazing 1 million hairs per square inch. They have long tough guard hairs that are coated in oils to provide a waterproof barrier for their dense soft under fur. When fluffed up the soft fibres trap air giving the otter buoyancy and insulation preventing the cold water from reaching their skin.
Sea otters groom almost constantly, but this isn’t an act of vanity, by keeping the soft fur fluffed and the guard hairs clean otters are able to eat and relax without getting cold and wet. But it’s not just staying afloat that’s key to a life at sea – groups of otters hold hands and tangle themselves in kelp forests to make sure they don’t drift apart.
Pushing the biological buttons
Baby sea otters fluffy fur and round body shape appeal to humans.
