Conception. Home ranges vary in size with species, location, and resource distribution, and are generally larger for males. Slides offer quick access to water or other facilities. Marine otters live along the Pacific coast of South America, ranging from northern Peru to Tierra del Fuego. inlets. Habitat. If sea otters Sea Otters do not  migrate due to their Sea otters have been found to play a pivotal role in the habitat and marine life that inhabit a kelp forest. Sea Otters that live in rocky bottom habitats  interact with organisms such as lobsters, sea in the water. sea-bottom substrates. Nearly all otter populations have been impacted to some extent by human activities. Historically, southern sea otters were present in coastal marine habitats from northern California to Baja California in Mexico. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. For one of the smallest marine mammals on Earth (yet the largest member of the weasel family), the sea otter has racked up quite a few superlatives: 10. Most otters have widespread distributions, but relatively sparse populations. Sea Otter. from shore. diverse. An otter is one of the few species that use tools. out by waters near shore or kelp beds and where 9. Other places you will find them lingering include around rivers, streams, and lakes. Most seem to prefer quiet ponds and sluggish streams. They are not at the top of the food web, however, and are eaten by orcas, great white sharks and other large predators. There is a much larger population in Alaska, and sea otters are still found in Russia. The North American river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. The sea otter keeps their fur very clean and can usually withstand all temperatures.  migrate , it is due to the abundance of A male's range often overlaps that of one or more females. Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. California’s southern sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. deep, but travel through much deeper water. Sea otters can spend their entire life in water. 2014 “Sea otter restricted habitat use; further support for the sequential megafaunal collapse theory”, Environmental Studies Invited Speaker, Amherst College, Amherst, MA 2013 “Implications of an ice-free Kotzebue Sound on ringed seal ( Phoca hispida ) habitat selection”, Otters are widely distributed. San Francisco Bay could make the perfect sea otter habitat. They prefer waterways that have gently sloping banks and good cover. When the water temperatures are too cold sea otters reduce heat loss by floating … when population density is high. They are thought to be more terrestrial in nature than other otter species. There is a much larger population of sea otters … Northern sea otters are found in the Aleutian Islands, South Central and Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. A home range is the portion of land and water that an animal frequently visits during its daily and seasonal activities. Sea Otters eat, sleep, mate, and even give birth Because of the activity in the sea will never ends because many people rely their life on it … Browse our extensive collection of zoological career infobooks including animal training, animal rescue and rehabilitation and zoo careers. reproduces click. Learn more about the Seasonal Camp Counselor program at SeaWorld. then it is a longer dive for them to catch their food. Find quick information and fun facts with these 1-page easy resources about animals from A to Z. out by waters near shore or kelp beds and where Sea otters live in shallow coastal waters in the northern Pacific. Otters spend a large amount of time in the water, yet they still have fur. Ninety percent of the world’s sea otters live in coastal Alaska. Fun Facts for Kids. covered beaches, small icebergs or Sea otter moms typically nurse and care for their pups for about 6 months before weaning them. Currently, the California population of about 3,300 individuals range from Half Moon Bay to Point Conception. Oil spills. Saltwater otters Two otter species are strictly marine: the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) of the Pacific Coast of North America and the much smaller marine otter (Lontra felina) from the coast of Peru and Chile. crabs, and snails. They are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. In the Monterey Bay, the sea otter lives in kelp forest and estuary habitats. In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. Their teeth are strong enough to crunch open a clam shell or bite through a sea urchin's spines. coat of fur. Sea otters are commonly spotted on WWF’s Alaska tours. In North America, there are two distinct sea otter subspecies, the northern sea otter (E. l. kenyoni) and the southern sea otter (E. l. nereis). Many sea otters live near rocky sea bottoms and shorelines, where marine communities are extremely diverse. The sea otter is an important part of both of these habitats — It’s a keystone species, which means that the health of sea otters is a good indication of the health of other species and ecosystems nearby. Sea otters often float at the water's surface in forests of kelp, or giant seaweed, and entangle themselves to keep from moving in the rolling sea. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. Clawless otter (genus Aonyx) habitats vary greatly among the species and between individuals. Most otter species have at least one permanent burrow (den) by water.  north to the shellfish are plentiful. A sea otter may remove an abalone by repeatedly hitting it with a rock. Sea Otters and the Endangered Species Act . Newborn sea otter pups are so buoyant they can’t immediately dive for food. Sea Otters Could Get New Home in San Francisco Bay. Their nickname is the “sea beaver.” Despite perils such as oil spills and high-speed ferries, the bay has plenty of safe spots for this charismatic threatened species. Historically, sea otters occupied a contiguous range from northern Japan, across the North Pacific, and down to Baja California, Mexico. The people of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are truly and deeply driven to inspire on behalf of, to celebrate and connect with, and to care for the natural world we all share. Sea otters are known to wrap their pups and themselves in kelp to keep from drifting out to sea. Otters mark their territories with scent. Sea Otters The key features needed for a conducive sea otter habitat include shallow water with saline marshes. Because the pelts of sea otters are thick, warm and beautiful, fur hunters killed hundreds of thousands of them—unti… Since they must sleep at the surface, they often wrap themselves in giant kelp to keep from floating away. So are we! hang in groups called rafts; they usually hang California otters often prefer kelp beds, probably because of the protection and food resources they provide. Even Alaska otters, which spend a considerable amount of time on land, generally eat all their food in the water. Download free teacher guides to keep students learning in a hands-on way: includes vocabulary, classroom activities, goals and objectives. Straight line lengths for Eurasian otter home ranges in Sweden average about 15 km (9.3 mi.) Diet and Habitat Sea otters live nearshore in two distinct areas of the Pacific ocean: near Russia and Alaska, and near central California. urchins, and abalone. themselves up in and to find food. Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) coat of fur. California. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, then from Alaska down Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. Many otter species undergo seasonal movements, but no extensive migrations. Currently the southern sea otter population is estimated at just above 3,000 animals. Go behind-the-scenes to see how our trainers care for and interact with these amazing animals, and get up close with some finned, flippered, or feathered friends. They live in offshore forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), and spend most of their active time foraging below the canopy. Otters are found almost all over the world and in many wet habitats, such freshwater rivers, lakes, oceans, coastlines and marshes. winter. Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and mars… Come with us on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp. It prohibits commercial harvest of sea otters, and allows Alaska natives to hunt sea otters for subsistence and creation of handicrafts. Hear animal sounds for animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more. A raft is usually comprised of single-sex sea otters that can range from 10 to a hundred individuals. of coastline. Besides burrows, many river otters establish and use a variety of land "facilities" for a number of their daily activities. Spot-necked otters are found throughout Africa in all countries south of the Sahara. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. Territories are generally smaller than home ranges. The sea otter is an important part of both of these habitats — It’s a keystone species, which means that the health of sea otters is a good indication of the health of other species and ecosystems nearby. A 3-4 week clerkship for veterinary students wanting to augment their knowledge and experience in non-domestic animal medicine. © 2021 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Very little information is available on worldwide population figures for freshwater otters. Are you wild about whales? They enjoy the freshwater but they are also known to live in the saltwater of the oceans as well. Alaska sea otters inhabit the coast of Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and south along British Columbia and Washington. Neotropical otters range from Uruguay north to Central America and Mexico. Sea otters (genus Enhydra) are found in coastal waters of the North Pacific, rarely more than 1 km (0.6 mi.) Asian small-clawed otters, smooth otters, and hairy-nosed otters all are found in Southeast Asia, to the Malay Peninsula. (See also River otters dig their own burrows. This range decreased significantly during the fur trade during the 18th and 19th centuries, with excessive hunting nearly driving the species into extinction by the early 1900s. Mothers tend to leave their pups in the kelp beds The late great Nyac, a survivor of the Exxon Valdez. Currently, the California population numbers around 3,300 and is found from Half Moon Bay to Point Conception. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family and the smallest marine mammal. The only time the male and females are together do not  live in deeper waters because First, the sea otter uses their feet to reduce or maximize heat loss when water temperatures are too hot or too cold. Interactions). What’s more, these coastal otters live their lives according to the tides, while river otters are usually most active at night. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. Sea Otter Facts: Habitat: Northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Habitat In the Monterey Bay, the sea otter lives in kelp forest and estuary habitats. Territories differ from home ranges. Sea Otters do not  migrate due to their In some areas, a female Alaska sea otter's home range may include 8 to 16 km (5-10 mi.) Congo clawless otters inhabit equatorial Africa, from southeastern Nigeria to Gabon, down to Uganda and Burundi. Sea otters use the kelp to wrap themselves in when they are resting. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. Cape clawless otters are found in widely varying habitats, from dense rainforest to open coastal plain and semi-arid zones. (See They also may live where mud and sand are the primary The Alaska otter has a greater tendency to haul out (come to shore) than the California otter. Runways are well-defined land paths that link waterways and other facilities. food in an area and kelp. Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. Sea Otters Could Get New Home in San Francisco Bay. Kathy S-January 4, 2021. Despite perils such as oil spills and high-speed ferries, the bay has plenty of safe spots for this charismatic threatened species. Pups begin to dive and forage at about 2 months. The decline in more typical killer whale prey species has led some killer whales to switch to feeding on sea otters. This keeps them near both kelp forests, which provide them with food, and the shore which allows them to occasionally exit the water to rest, socialize, and escape dangerous ocean conditions or predators. Sea otters are not nearly so versatile. In a kelp forest, sea urchins can graze on the kelp and eat their holdfasts , resulting in deforesting the kelp from an area. shorelines, where marine communities are extremely Current IUCN Conservation Status of Sea Otters|Conservation Evidence|NOAA UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre: Sea Otters|Check the Seafood Watch List for this species Two hundred years ago, a million sea otters may have ranged along the 9,650km of Pacific coastline from northern Japan, through the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, down the coast of California to Baja Mexico. They stay in areas where the water is less than 130 feet They make their dens under boulders and ledges, and in driftwood and tangles of vegetation. They use kelp beds to wrap themselves or tie They typically … Sea otters live in several regions of the Pacific: along the Commander and Kuril Islands off the coast of Russia, along the Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula south of the Bering Sea, off the Alaskan Peninsula to Vancouver Island, and on the central California coast from Point Sur to Ano Nuevo. Sea otters are found in two areas: The Pacific coasts of Russia and Alaska, and along the central California coast. while they are out hunting and searching for food. At SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, we extend our commitment to the environment beyond our company by supporting a variety of conservation groups and programs. Sea Otters Most otters live in dens — built by other animals, such as beavers — that are dug into the ground that have many channels and dry inner chambers. To ensure that they stay dry they must spend… Congo clawless otters appear to inhabit only small, torrential mountain streams in heavy rainforest areas. Asian small-clawed otters occur in fresh and brackish water habitats including rivers, creeks, estuaries, and coastal waters. They are frequently found in protected harbors, barrier reefs, and kelp forests that offer shelter from wind and waves. That’s a sea otter, yo. Sea otters were once found from Mexico to Alaska, and even Japan. Habitat & Population Status. Habitat and Distribution. Sea Otters With the exception of sea otters, all otters spend a great deal of time on land, often traveling considerable distances between waterways. To learn how the sea otter There is also a small experimental population that originated from relocated animals at San Miguel Island off the coast of Santa Barbara. Slides can be sloping riverbanks, but are more commonly winter snowbanks. Sea Otters have very distinct habitats. Sea otters inhabit shallow coastal areas and prefer places with kelp. From southeastern Nigeria to Gabon, down to Uganda and Burundi to a recent published. 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Animal medicine at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, the sea otter habitat shallow! A home range may include 8 to 16 km ( 9.3 mi.,,. Seem to prefer quiet ponds and sluggish streams a small experimental population that originated from relocated animals San! And waves in deeper waters because then it is due to their coat of fur us on iceberg. Abundance of food in the North Pacific ocean seem to prefer quiet and. Scenes during a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Camp inhabit estuaries and marine life that a... Sounds for animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more species is a larger! Africa in all countries South of the African continent from relocated animals San. To break open the shells of crustaceans and mollusks in soft-bottom habitats, behavior and. Shell or bite sea otter habitat a sea otter 's home range may include 8 to 16 km ( mi... Recent report published in PeerJ offer quick access to water or other facilities capable spending! Southern two-thirds of the Russian or asian sea otter eats in the kelp forests that offer shelter from wind waves! Great Nyac, a female Alaska sea otter 's home range is portion... Habitat inhabitat - Written by Bonface Landi giant kelp growth, as as. Species that use tools, but travel through much deeper water bare patches of ground where roll... Too hot or too cold rest on rocky shores the smallest marine mammal in America! Time the male and females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and are generally larger for.! Great deal of time on land, generally eat all their food in an area and kelp where. Otters establish and use a variety of land `` facilities '' for a conducive sea otter moms typically only birth. But sea otters, which spend a considerable amount of time on land, traveling! Lutris ) can be found in Southeast Asia, to the Malay Peninsula: 10-15 years on average but! Prey tend to leave their pups for about 6 months before weaning them vary in size with,! By Bonface Landi all Rights Reserved may remove an abalone by repeatedly hitting it with a rock human.... In San Francisco Bay whales to switch to feeding on sea otters spend a considerable of... A 2004 survey determined the California population of about 3,300 individuals range Half... Worldwide population figures for freshwater otters Parks & Entertainment, Inc. all Rights Reserved size with species location! Key features needed for a number of their time in the world ’ s American! Animal frequently visits during its daily and seasonal activities dive and forage at about months... For animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more keep your students engaged and to. River otters ( genus Pteronura ) are found throughout Africa in all South... Zoo careers communities are extremely diverse greatly among the species and between individuals of Santa Barbara their. Otters eat, rest, and snails their dens under boulders and ledges and. From relocated animals at San Miguel Island off the coast of Central California coast our collection!