Northern sea otter
Enhydra lutris kenyoni
Where at Shedd?
Abbott Oceanarium
| Diet | Clams, mussels, urchins, abalone, fishes and octopuses |
|---|---|
| Size | Males: 47 - 60 inches (120 - 150 cm); 65 - 70 pounds. Females: 39 - 55 inches (100 - 140 cm); 45 - 50 pounds |
| Type | Mammals |
| Range | Northern Pacific Ocean from Japan through Alaska and Canada to California, United States |
| Habitat | Rocky coasts and kelp forests |
About the Northern sea otter
The sea otters are the best-groomed animals at Shedd — and in the ocean. It’s a matter of survival. Instead of blubber to keep them warm, these marine mammals have the densest fur of any animal — up to 1 million hairs per square inch.
Did you know?
Sea otters have the bite force of a black bear that allows them to crack open the hard shells of crabs, clams and other food.
Sea otters are classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are safeguarded by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
A group of resting otters is called a raft.