Sea Otters
Enhydra lutris • The Tool-Using Marine Mammals
Known for their incredibly dense fur and habit of floating on their backs while using rocks as tools to open shellfish, sea otters are a keystone species that is slowly re-establishing its range in this area after being hunted to near extinction during the fur trade.
Unique Characteristics
Sea otters have the densest fur of any animal - up to 1 million hairs per square inch. Unlike other marine mammals, they rely on this fur rather than blubber for insulation.
Adults typically weigh 14-45 kg, with males being larger than females. They can reach 1.2-1.5 meters in length.
They spend their entire lives in the ocean, rarely coming ashore. They even give birth in the water and sleep while floating on their backs.
Tool Use & Feeding
Sea otters are one of the few animals that use tools. They use rocks to crack open shellfish, placing the rock on their chest as an anvil while floating on their backs.
They consume 25-30% of their body weight daily to maintain their high metabolism. Diet includes sea urchins, crabs, clams, mussels, and various fish.
Some otters have favorite rocks that they keep in a loose pouch of skin under their foreleg, carrying the same tool for multiple uses.
Keystone Species & Recovery
Sea otters are a keystone species. By feeding on sea urchins, they prevent overgrazing of kelp forests, maintaining the health of entire marine ecosystems.
Hunted to near extinction for their fur (only 1,000-2,000 remained worldwide by 1911), they’ve slowly recovered through protection and reintroduction programs.
The British Columbia population was reintroduced between 1969-1972 with 89 otters from Alaska. Today, about 8,000 sea otters live along BC’s coast.
Fascinating Facts
Hold hands while sleeping to avoid drifting apart
Can close their nostrils and ears when diving
Groom for up to 3 hours daily to maintain fur insulation
Can dive to 100 meters and hold breath for 5 minutes
Best Viewing Times
Year-round
Still re-establishing in this area. Best chances in kelp beds and rocky shores. Look for them floating on their backs in rafts (groups) near kelp forests.