Why do otters roll themselves in kelp

They need to keep their fur coat clean so it stays waterproof. Sea otters have thick underfur that traps air to form an insulating layer against chilly waters they have no insulating fat. Sea otters were hunted for their fur to the point of near extinction. Early in the 20th century only 1, to 2, animals remained.

All rights reserved. Personality Quizzes. Funny Fill-In. Amazing Animals. Weird But True! Party Animals. Try This! Otters love to rest in groups. Researchers have seen concentrations of over 1, otters floating together. To keep from drifting away from each other, sea otters will wrap themselves up in seaweed, forming something that resembles a raft. Otters might look soft and cuddly but remain dangerous wild animals. Otters have strong teeth and a powerful bite. So, whether you see an otter on land or at sea, be sure to maintain a safe distance of at least 5 kayak lengths or 60 feet from the otters.

Learn more about staying safe around sea otters. Make sure to take pictures from shore or at least 5 kayak lengths from the otters and always use your zoom. Love these fun otter facts? Check out this otter-worldly info. Photo by Lilian Carswell, U. Fish and Wildlife Service. A sea otter snoozes on its back — showing its hind legs, tail and webbed feet, which make otters great swimmers. A group of otters stay together for mutual protection from predators in the waters around Moss Landing, California.

A rescued sea otter pup is taken to Alaska SeaLife Center to be treated. Photo by U. This sea otter decided on the all you can eat crab legs for its evening meal. A sea otter grooms itself to stay warm. A mother sea otter carries her pup.

Photo by the National Park Service. Have you ever seen an otter with a scarred or bloody nose? Sea otters spend approximately 9 to 12 hours foraging each day. On average, an adult male California sea otter consumes over 4, calories daily.

Sea otters are one of the few animals that use tools. After hunting on the seafloor, sea otters return to the surface to eat. Floating on its back and using its chest as a table, a sea otter often uses a rock to crack open its prey — especially if dinner is a crab, clam or mussel. Most common prey for California sea otters are Rock and Dungeness crabs. Average dive duration for California sea otters is about 60 seconds.

Longest dive ever recorded was just under 8 minutes. Average dive depth for California sea otters is about 20 feet.