A Sea Otter's Habitat

Sea otters need unpolluted habitats near the shore with depths under 40m.  A plentiful food supply is needed consisting primarily of shellfish, and freedom from excessive human disturbance. The west coast has lots of islands, bays and reefs that provide food and shelter from storms.

Picture taken by BMSC marine biologists

Sea otters mostly eat sea urchins, mussels, abalone, clams, scallops, crabs, sea snails, chitons, octupus and squid.  Sea otters use rocks as tools to break open or dislodge hard-shelled prey.  Cool, eh?

picture from www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/species/otter

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