Sea Otters: The Weasel Family

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Sea otters are marvelous creatures. Its scientific name is enhydra lutris. I t is most closely related to the river otter, but it is part of the weasel family. Sea otters are the smallest marine mammal. In comparison to the river otter, which has a very streamline body, the sea otter is stockier and has a larger ribcage. In general, otters are various shades of brown, with a darker backside and much lighter stomach. Instead of blubber, sea otters rely on dense, water-resistant fur to keep them warm in cold places. Sea otters have the densest fur of any mammal. Sea otters have four short legs. Unlike other otters, sea otters do not have a pad on the underside of their feet. Sea otters have small feet with retractible claws. They use their feet for grooming, finding food, and eating, but not for swimming. The sea otters' flippers, like hind legs, are large and webbed. Compared to other otters, sea otters have shorter and less muscular tails. Their tails have no defining marks on them. Sea otters use their tails to swim and steer. A sea otter has a blunter muzzle than those of other otters. A sea otter has a less sharp snout than other otters. A sea …show more content…
A sea otter eats about 25% to 30% of their weight. A large male sea otter may eat as much as 25 pounds of food daily. Sea otters dive to the ocean floor to reach their food. They catch prey in their front paws and then bring it to the surface. A sea otter eats in the water, lying on its back, with its food on its chest. A sea otter may remove an clam by hitting it with a rock. It also uses a rock to break open the shells of crustaceans and mollusks. Holding the rock on its chest, the otter pounds the animal on the rock until it breaks or opens. When they are down in the water looking for food, they may hid food in a loose flap of skin under their arms. They would then bring it to the surface to
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