Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

The Sea Otter inhabits the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Mexico, having adapted to the cold with their dense fur coat, the thickest of any animal. In the past, northern and southern sea otters lived along the Oregon coast. However, the latter eventually moved to the Central Coast of California.

Unlike other marine mammals that rely on blubber to keep warm, sea otters use their fur to survive in their coastal habitats. They have about 600,000 to 1,000,000 hairs per square inch, giving them the thickest fur of all animals.

In comparison to river otters, sea otters float on their back. They are typically bigger, with males reaching up to 100 pounds and almost 5 feet. 

Moreover, they give birth to baby otters in the water, unlike river otters that go ashore to build dens. Lastly, their tails are flat and muscular, serving as efficient rudders in their marine environment.

Sea urchins, when unchecked, can overgraze and destroy kelp forests. Because of their sea urchin-rich diet, they are considered keystone species for maintaining the balance of their ecosystems1. Hence, there is a need to conserve sea otter populations, which, unfortunately, are considered endangered species.