A playful, modern fan site celebrating the charismatic sea otters of the San Francisco Bay Area—especially the iconic raft-dwellers of Monterey Bay.
The California sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) is a keystone species that helps keep kelp forests healthy by eating sea urchins and other invertebrates. After a dramatic population crash in the early 1900s, conservation efforts have helped them rebound along the Central Coast, with notable viewing near Monterey, Moss Landing, and along the Monterey Bay coastline.
Otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom and no blubber—so grooming is life or death! Their social groups are called “rafts,” and you’ll often spot pups riding on mom’s belly.
Otters stash a favorite rock in a loose skin fold under the arm to crack open clams, snails, and urchins.
With up to a million hairs per square inch, their fur traps air for warmth—no wetsuit needed.
Groups of otters are called rafts. Moms often wrap pups in kelp to keep them from drifting.
By eating urchins, otters protect kelp forests, which store carbon and shelter marine life.
They eat ~25% of their body weight daily to fuel high metabolisms in chilly Pacific waters.
Sea otters are among the few mammals that routinely use tools—shells and rocks—while floating on their backs.
Reminder: Harassing marine mammals is prohibited by U.S. law (Marine Mammal Protection Act).
Rescues, rehabilitates, and releases stranded pups; conducts vital research and public education.
Expert hospital for marine mammals, supporting otter health, research, and response.
Protects and restores critical estuary habitat where many otters rest and raise pups.
Advocates for policy protections and recovery of sea otter populations.
Prefer volunteering? Look for local beach cleanups, community science with Sea Otter Savvy, or support kelp-forest restoration projects.
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