Enhydra lutris
Sea Otter
Information
There are two types of sea otter's northern Enhydra lutris kenyoni) found in the mornorthen parts of the pacific like Washington, British Colombia, Russia, and parts of Jappan. And southern (Enhydra lutris nereis) also known as California sea otters, live in the waters along the California coastline and range from San Mateo County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. California sea otters grow to about 4 feet; Northern sea otters are slightly larger.With California sea otters, 45 lbs (females) to 65 lbs (males). Northern sea otters can reach up to 100 pounds. In the picture you can see the otters holding hands, this is so that if they drift the don't get separated.
Back ground
Sea otters are the largest mammal in the the weasel family, and are the second smallest mammals. They are a keystone species because the indirectly protect the kelp forrests that help with green house gases. Their numbers used to be close to a million but durning the early 1900's they were hunted and their numbers dipped down between 1,000 - 2,000 . Thamkfuly their numbers are slowly rising and in California alone there are just under 3,000 world wide th numbers are estimated to be 106,000 but they are still endangered.
Tools
Sea otters are the only mammies out side of monkeys to use tools to help them gather food. The sea otters use sticks and rocks to knock things like oysters and muscles off rocks. They also use tools to help open there food. Their diet consists of urchins, abalone, mussels, clams, crabs, snails and about 40 other marine species.
Pups
Sea otters generally only have one pup, but they can have twins. Their gestation periods range from 6-8 months
Sea otter
Sea otters are beautiful creature that are on the rise.