Sea Otter

Description:

" is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (30 to 100 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter lives mostly in the ocean. The sea otter inhabits nearshore environments where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly upon marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various molluscs and crustaceans, and some species of fish. Its foraging and eating habits are noteworthy in several respects. First, its use of rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools. In most of its range, it is a keystone species, controlling sea urchin populations which would otherwise inflict extensive damage to kelp forest ecosystems. Its diet includes prey species that are also valued by humans as food, leading to conflicts between sea otters and fisheries." Wikipedia

Notes:

These Sea Otters are much larger than their relatives the River Otters. According to a tour speaker at the Atlanta Aquarium, GA, USA - Sea Otters in aquariums or zoos need a lot of mental stimulation, because in the wild they are constantly pulling, banging, cracking, and investigating things for sources of food. So, divers will tie ropes and dog toys underwater with bits of food in them, or shells, or parts of food, so that they have the mental challenge. Otherwise, they will rip their habitat to bits in no time at all. They will fluff their fur to keep the air layer built up for insulation. Oil spills hurt them because they can't keep their fur fluffed and they get sick from the cold and wet. They spin on the surface to keep the air in their fur evenly distributed. They do use rocks against their tummies to break shells.