The Sea Otter’s Arms, Paws, and Flippers (Explained)

All 13 otter species of the Lutrinae subfamily have four relatively short legs. They allow otters to swim, groom, walk, and manipulate (catch and eat) their prey. As the largest otters and members of their Mustelidae family, sea otters have short arms equipped with sensitive and agile forepaws. Their hind legs have also been advantageously …

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Do Sea Otters Move A Lot Out Of The Water?

One of the things people associate sea otters with is undoubtedly the water. Look for any video or picture of them and they are probably happily playing in the water. Even their species’ name is determined by what body of water they live in.  But while otters spend most of their time swimming, you can …

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Sea Otter Threats & Dangers (They Need Our Help!)

Here at Floofmania, sea otters are one of our favorite marine mammals – and they could also be yours! After all, who can resist those charming furry faces? But they’re so much more than their fluff and cuteness; they are one of nature’s greatest aquatic environmentalists! As keystone species, sea otters help keep kelp forests …

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Sea Otters and Their Sleeping Behavior (How Do They Remain in Place as They Sleep?)

Sleeping and resting is the second-most important daily activity in a sea otter’s life, next to foraging and followed by grooming. Sea otters specifically spend 40 to 49% of their daily lives snoozing off and building up energy so they can feed and groom themselves effectively afterward.  Biologists routinely observe the resting behavior of sea …

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20 Animals Similar To Sea Otters (20 Lookalikes)

A sea otter, Enhydra lutris, is one of the most distinctive marine mammals living exclusively in cold coastal waters. These animals can weigh as much as 100 pounds while measuring up to 5 feet in length.  You might mistake them for corks or blobs bobbing along the water surface where kelp forests thrive. You’ll quickly …

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The Sea Otter’s Foraging Behavior (They’re Picky, and They Use Tools!)

Sea otters are the only fully aquatic otter species and the only living members of the Enhydra genus. They are arguably the cutest shallow coastal water dwellers in the animal world – scientifically speaking, of course, ahem. These adorable marine mammals are diurnal. They forage for their food before sunrise and go for another round …

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How Big Are Sea Otters? (Weight, Size, And Other Facts)

Sea otters are the heaviest marine mammals of the Mustelidae family. Out of the 13 other carnivore members of the mustelids, the sea otters can weigh up to 100 pounds and grow up to 5 feet in length.  These adorable-looking critters are important aquatic species that help maintain the health of kelp forests. Kelp, of …

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Sea Otters, Mating, Reproduction, Babies, and More

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) commonly live in shallow coastal waters. The Pacific Ocean coasts of North America and Asia are the home to this weasel-like water mammal.  Despite their cute appearance, sea otters are wild animals and can be dangerous. They have large teeth and a powerful bite, which means that they should not be …

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Sounds that Sea Otters Make and What They Mean

Sea otters are very social creatures, living in same-sex groups on ocean coastlines between California and Alaska. They’re amazing too and have innovative ways to communicate with each other. While not extremely vocal, they do produce sounds to express particular emotions, instructions or to have fun. These sounds can include things like hissing, cooing, grunting, …

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Where Do Sea Otters Live? (States & Countries)

Sea otters live in the shallow coastal waters of the oceans, preferring locations with thick kelp forests. Today they are found in three primary locations: near the coast of Alaska, near the coast of California, and off the coast of Russia. This article looks at the lives, habitats, and status of sea otters. Where Can …

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