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Sea Otters in ice – Alaska 2020

The Sea Otters in Homer harbour had been having a tough time since the harbour had been packed with ice. As the ice began to disperse, the Sea Otters were more active and easier to watch. They are endearing little creatures.

Sea Otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom: up to 150,000 strands per square centimetre. As a consequence, they were hunted extensively for their fur and the world population fell from up to 300,00 individulas to as few as 1,000–2,000 individuals and they almost disappeared.

It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, molluscs and crustaceans. Its foraging and eating habits are noteworthy. It uses rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells making it one of the few mammal species to use tools.

Adult sea otters are one of smallest marine mammal yet can weigh up to 45 kg, making them the heaviest members of mustelid family.