The sea otter (

Enhydra lutris

) is a mammal found on the west coasts (USA and Canada), the east coasts (Russia and Japan), and in the Aleutian Islands.

Its diet consists of slow-moving fish, crabs, sea snails, sea urchins, and mussels.

Sea otters were once plentiful along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean, but are now on the verge of extinction due to hunting.

Although their numbers have increased since 1900, they are once again declining due to pollution.

Thus, fishing, predation and pollution are the three main threats to them.


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The Peach

Intensive commercial fishing creates competition with sea otters. Additionally, abandoned fishing gear is a big threat to these magnificent animals.

Indeed, the nets remain in position under the surface of the sea, and many marine mammals, including the sea otter, become entangled in them and drown.

Pollution

On March 24, 1989, 11 tons of crude oil spilled into Prince William Sound, Alaska, killing nearly 4,000 sea otters, or 90% of the Alaskan otter population.

Pollution of the seas by chemicals and plastic waste continues to harm sea otter colonies.

Predation

Sea otter predation by killer whales has increased in recent years, primarily due to declining sea lion populations. Unfortunately, the increased density of sea urchins has destroyed many kelp forests, leaving no other choice to sea otters than to move into killer whale territory.


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