The sea otter is an expert forager with unique adaptations for feeding on a variety of marine prey.
Tool Usage
Sea otters use rocks or other hard objects as anvils to break open the tough shells of their prey.
Grooming and Diving
Before diving, sea otters groom and clean their fur to maintain buoyancy. They are skilled divers that can reach depths of up to 100 meters in search of food.
Capture and Storage
They use dexterous forepaws to capture invertebrates, fish, and crabs. Sea otters also have a “food pouch” under their forelimbs to temporarily store items while foraging.
Eating Behavior
Sea otters often float on their backs while eating, using their chest as a table. To consume hard-shelled prey like clams and sea urchins, they place the prey on a rock anvil and crack it open with repeated strikes, then extract the soft tissue with their teeth and tongue.
Fur Maintenance and Energy Needs
After eating, they groom their dense fur to remove debris. Because of their high metabolic rate, sea otters spend several hours each day foraging and eating to maintain energy and body heat.