Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris nereis

Physical Characteristics: Southern sea otters are the smallest marine mammal.  They are approximately 4 ft in length, with males weighing approximately 65 lbs and females weighing approximately 45 lbs.  Sea otters have strong canine teeth for tearing food and large flat molars for crushing.   Sea otters have external ears, a flattened tail, flipper-like rear flippers, and forepaws with retractable claws.  Sea otters also have extremely thick fur, with approximately 650,000-1 million hairs per square inch covering their entire bodies. 

Food habits:  Southern sea otters feed in the kelp forest and over soft sediment habitat.  Sea otters can dive 100-120 ft and hold their breath on average 1-2 minutes.  Sea otters eat clams, crabs, abalone, urchins, starfish, and snails.  Sea otters will eat up to 25 % of their body weight per day. 

Range:  Año Nuevo to just north of Point Conception, and San Nicholas Island 

Population: Approximately 2,825 individuals (based on 2004 spring survey). 

Conservation Notes:  The southern sea otter was listed as a threatened in 1977 and will remain so until the population increases to 3,090 individuals 3 consecutive years. 

References: 

Caretta, J., J. Barlow, K. A. Forney, M. M. Muto, J. Barlow, J. Baker, and M. Lowry. 
2004.  U. S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2003.  United States
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
Technical Memorandum NMFS-SWFSC-358.

For more information, visit http://www.werc.usgs.gov/otters/ca-surveydata.html