All About Sea Otters

Sea Otters have a stockier build than other otter species and they have a wider rib cage. Sea Otters otters have flexible bodies which allow them to easily groom themselves. Sea otters have four relatively short legs, their front feet are very dexterous and have retractile claws. Sea Otters have shorter less muscular tails than other otter species.

Sea Otters have the longest fur of all otter species. Sea Otters can swim more than 5 mph. Sea Otters remain submerged for shorter lengths of time than many other otter species, with a typical dive being between 52-90 seconds. Sea Otters are active during the day, with their daily activities including feeding, grooming and resting.

Sea Otters eat fish, crabs, sea urchins, abalones, clams, mussels and snails. Sea Otters eat 25-30% of their body weigh every day. Sea otters frequently float on their backs at the surface. Sea Otters will often use “tools” like rocks to break open the shells of their prey, holding the rock on the chest the and pounding the prey on the rock until it breaks open. Sea otters have 32 teeth used for crushing and grinding shells of invertebrates.

Sea Otters typically give birth to a single otter at a time. Sea Otter pups weigh 4.5-5 lbs. A female sea otter will carry and nurse her pup on her belly as she floats on her back. Sea Otter pups can eat solid foods after only one month, but they remain dependent on their mother for care for up to six months.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net