Otter Species.

They have been able to adjust to new environments due to their land being taken over. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are aquatic carnivores that reside in coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean, including waters by the United States, Japan, Canada, Russia and Mexico. Thanks to Sea Otters, Kelp Forests Absorb Vast Amounts of CO2 One of the sea otter's favorite delicacies is the sea urchin who in turn loves kelp. Kelp forests provide food and shelter for large numbers of fish and shellfish. Yet, sea otters do possess the fine, dense fur coats characteristic of the Mustelidae. Their forefeet are small and dexterous with retractile claws and the flipper-like hind feet are broad and webbed.

Without sea otters, sea urchins can overpopulate the sea floor and devour the kelp forests that provide cover and food for many other marine animals. Ninety percent of the world’s sea otters live in coastal Alaska.
Sea otters usually live for a …

It prohibits commercial harvest of sea otters, and allows Alaska natives to hunt sea otters for subsistence and creation of handicrafts. This is due to the severe damage that it creates for their coat. Kelp also protect coastlines from damaging wave action. In appearance, sea otters are stouter and have larger rib cages, smaller tails and blunter muzzles than other species of otters. As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries. The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family and the smallest marine mammal.

In California's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary the sea otter is a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystem. Sea Otter; African Clawless Otter; European Otter; Giant Otter; Northern River Otter; For example they can’t do well when the waters contain pollutants including chemicals or oil.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects sea otters. These smallish creatures once had a rather sizable population throughout their home bases. Sea otters are an iconic species, representing the beauty and diversity of marine life found along California’s coastline. Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species.