Photo source: Wikipedia. They prey on crustaceans by using pairs of rocks to crush the outer shells, easily accessing the soft flesh inside. For instance, otters make use of rocks and other hard objects to pry open the shells of shellfish. During breeding time or where there’s lots of food, though, larger otter groups may gather, especially among sea otters in kelp beds. One of the interesting facts is that they are one of the few mammals who know the use of tools. According to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, sea otters living in a remote area in Washington state were carriers of the H1N1 virus. Their sleek, streamlined bodies are perfect for diving and swimming. Sea otters help reduce the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Below are a few more interesting facts about these mammals. The males of this subspecies weigh around 65 pounds while females are 45 pounds in weight. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Fun Facts About Sea Otters. Don't challenge an otter to a holding-your-breath competition! Otters reach sexual maturity between 2 to 5 years. Once tangled in one, it’s likely that the animal, like a sea turtle, shark or dolphin will die without getting enough oxygen. Some otter species spend all their time in the water while others are land and water based animals. FOR NEXT WORKING DAY DELIVERY. Mishka is an asthmatic otter who uses an inhaler. A group of otters are called a bevy, family, lodge, or romp, or, when in water the group is called a raft. Sea otters are just as full of interesting characteristics as they are full of cuteness! Males can weigh up to 70 lbs. Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. Sea Otters have joined the ranks of ducks, chickens, pigs, whales, horses, and elephant seals, all animals that can contract influenza. They use their sea whiskers to find small creatures to eat, and their paws to dig for clams. Sea otters are provided a varied diet while in human care. Sea otter pups are born with their eyes open, and even though they are not able to swim they have a coat of hair that lets them float. What surprised me the most was the fact that sea otters eat sea urchins! They eat seaweeds and aquatic plants along with around forty other species of aquatic animals. Otters also have long, slightly flattened tails that move sideways to propel them through the water while their back feet act like rudders to steer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To ensure that they stay dry they must spend… Sea otters’ diet includes sea urchins, crabs, mussels, and clams, which they’re known … It ranges from 250,000 to a million hairs per square inch, according to the Defenders of Wildlife. Photo source: Wikipedia. Sea otters mainly live in river basins. Other places you will find them lingering include around rivers, streams, and lakes. Most sea otters measure less than 50 inches. Average length of an adult California sea otter is about 4 ft. A group of sea otters resting together is called a raft. It wedges a rock between its chest and the “armpit” of a foreleg and pounds shells against it to open them up. 4. The diet of sea otters consists almost entirely of ocean invertebrates. Here are five fun facts you otter know: Sea otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom, with up to one million hairs per square inch of their body! They like to swim on their back and sides and can see just as well underwater as they can above. Read our full terms & conditions and privacy policy, Call our Customer Service team with any query, big or small. The sea otter is one of the few mammal species on Earth to use a tool to help it hunt and feed. The mother takes care of the pups and they open their eyes and start exploring after about one month, at roughly two months they start swimming, and they stay with their mother and brothers and sisters until they are about 1 year old. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. 2. A group of resting otters is called a raft. Interesting Facts About the Sea Otter. The sea otter's dark brown fur is the finest and densest of any animal fur. Fun Facts about Sea Otter! Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. Sea otters eat 25% of their body weight in food every day. Following are a few other interesting facts you might not know about sea otters: 1) Sea otters are of the smallest marine mammals that are native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. 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