{"id":40242,"date":"2024-09-19T16:41:20","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T20:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oceana.org\/?p=40242"},"modified":"2024-09-19T16:41:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T20:41:22","slug":"species-spotlight-sea-otters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oceana.org\/blog\/species-spotlight-sea-otters\/","title":{"rendered":"Species Spotlight: Sea Otters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sea otters may be one of the ocean\u2019s cutest critters, but did you know they also play an important role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems? Playful and intelligent, sea otters are not only a joy to watch but also are guardians of the kelp forests they reside near.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As natives of the coastal waters of the Northern Pacific Ocean, sea otters are accustomed to chilly waters. But unlike other marine mammals, they don\u2019t have a layer of blubber to keep them warm. Instead, they rely on their incredibly dense fur \u2013 the densest in the animal kingdom \u2013 comprised of two coats that trap air against the otter\u2019s skin, keeping it warm, dry and buoyant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea otters are also known for their remarkable intelligence and dexterity, using tools in their day-to-day life! They collect large rocks to use as a table to smash their prey against to get to the soft parts they can eat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEA OTTER HABITAT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sea otters have a close relationship with the kelp forests they call home. In these forests, they feed on sea urchins, which if left unchecked, can overgraze and destroy kelp forests. What may seem like just a tasty snack to sea otters, actually helps maintain biodiversity in kelp forests, allowing them to flourish!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This important role as guardians of kelp forests and their ecosystem makes the sea otter a keystone species.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONSERVATION AND THREATS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite their ecological significance, sea otters have faced significant threats over the years.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historically hunted by commercial fur traders, their populations plummeted and by the early 1900\u2019s, there were fewer than 2,000 individuals left. Since then, conservation efforts, like the United States\u2019 Endangered Species Act, have helped populations rebound in various areas. But this lovable species is still at risk \u2013 considered threatened and highly vulnerable to extinction from threats like climate change and offshore drilling.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil spills are incredibly dangerous for sea otters, in part because oil mats their fur coat, ruining their insulation and leading to hypothermia. They can also accidentally ingest the oil while grooming themselves and suffer a variety of life-threatening illnesses as a result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oceana campaigns to protect marine species like sea otters by protecting critical ocean habitat and tackling the climate crisis, which is exacerbated by activities like dirty and dangerous offshore drilling. And thanks to campaigning by Oceana and its allies, about 75,000 miles of coastline in the United States and Belize have been protected from the threat of offshore drilling. But there\u2019s more to be done. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GET INVOLVED<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We know that where they drill, they spill. But you can help protect sea otters and their habitats!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join Oceana in calling on President Biden to take bold and historic action to permanently protect over half a million square miles of ocean from the threat of offshore drilling. Take action today<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit the Oceana online store to explore our sea otter collection and help power our campaigns to protect and restore the world\u2019s oceans. Symbolically adopt a sea otter.<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about sea otters by visiting our Marine Life Encyclopedia<\/a><\/strong> or learn more about our campaign<\/a><\/strong> to tackle the climate crisis.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sea otters may be one of the ocean\u2019s cutest critters, but did you know they also play an important role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems? Playful and intelligent, sea otters are not only a joy to watch but also are guardians of the kelp forests they reside near.\u00a0 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION As natives … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":40244,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"location":[],"expedition":[],"campaign":[],"ppma_author":[334],"class_list":["post-40242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","infinite-scroll-item"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSpecies Spotlight: Sea Otters | Oceana<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sea otters may be one of the ocean\u2019s cutest critters, but they also play an important role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. 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