Sea otters get around with their sandpaper like paws, webbed feet, and flat tails. The sea otter, however, rarely comes ashore, according to the San Diego Zoo. Sea otter, (Enhydra lutris), rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. The paws on a sea otter’s hind feet are webbed. Floating on its back, it opens mollusks by smashing them on a stone balanced on its chest. The large hind feet are broad and flipperlike. Otters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs. Distinctive Characteristics The sea otter is the most derived of the otters. They can be up to 100 pounds so they are the heaviest of all species. The largest river otter is the North American river otter, ranging from 100 to 153 cm (39-60 in. A few survived in Alaska and California. It makes a shrill "wee" sound like a sea gull. Otters are long and slim animals that can be longer than a meter. Sea otters’ diet includes sea urchins, crabs, mussels, and clams, which they’re known to … The sea otter uses air trapped between their hairs to keep themselves insulated in cold waters. A baby sea otter will cry when it is left alone. Description of the River Otter. A rescued sea otter pup is taken to Alaska SeaLife Center to be treated. The Sea Otter ranks as one of the smallest species of marine mammals. Sea otters are brown in fur color that often lightens with age . Despite what many people believe, otters are not related to beavers. Sea otter is the heaviest and the second smallest aquatic member of weasel family. 5. Sea otters are carnivores in the family Mustelidae—a group of animals that also includes terrestrial and semi-aquatic forms such as weasels, badgers, skunks, fishers, minks, and river otters.Sea otters are the only fully aquatic form of otters, but they share features with the others such as thick fur and short ears. Individuals can weigh as much as 45 kg. The nostrils and ears of sea otters close in the water. The large head has a blunt snout, and is connected to the body by a short, stocky neck. Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris), largest and most marine weasel, lives exclusively in shallow seas of the N Pacific, formerly from Japan to California.Ruthless hunting for their valuable pelts almost exterminated sea otters before 1900. This helps the sea otter swim faster. Sea otters catch the same shellfish, sea urchins, crabs, clams, and abalone, that indigenous peoples in Alaska and Canada need to eat. All of these characteristics help the sea otter move and get around on their backs. Secondly, oil spills result in the death of sea otters. Otters will whistle or whine when upset or frustrated. Sea Otter is the heaviest of the otters, reaching a maximum weight of 45 kg. Description. Its ears and nostrils are closed down in water. Sea Otter - Physical characteristics. If the otter gets scared it may flip to its stomach or dive under the water. Size. This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about sea otters across 25 in-depth pages. They have 850,000 to 1,000,000 hairs per square inch consisting of two layers, an undercoat and longer guard hairs. This information shows that the sea otter … ... As a sexually dimorphic organism, male sea otters are larger in size than the females of this species. The characteristics of the otter. The sea otter has long whiskers and water-repellent coat that insulates the animal from freezing water. They usually stay on all four legs, but they can stand up as well but they are expert swimmers and spend a lot of time in water. Description. Sea otters are found in two areas : The Pacific coasts of Russia and Alaska, and along the central California coast. They usually stay on all four legs, but they can stand up as well but they are expert swimmers and spend a lot of time in water. Sea otters are incredibly clean and keep their waterproof coats in perfect condition. Beavers belong to the rodent family, and therefore have nothing to do with otters. Sea Otters have very distinct habitats. They have a thick fur coat that keeps them warm even in freezing water. Physical Description. Fish and Wildlife Service. Adult male Alaskan otters weigh 27 to 39 kg, while females weigh 16 to 27 kg. Protection has permitted them to increase and reoccupy much of their former range. Northern River Otters. Description. First, one of the biggest threats to the existence of sea otters is humans. 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