What Do Sea Otters Eat?

The sea otter is one of 13 otter species; according to the Defenders of Wildlife, it is classified as a threatened species. Sea otters live primarily in the northern Pacific Ocean near the shores of California. They are the only otters that live exclusively in the water.

  1. Diet

    • A sea otter's main food sources are marine invertebrates such as octopus, sea urchins, snails, crabs, abalone, mussels and clams, as well as a variety of fishes. Food preferences will vary from otter to otter.

    Methods

    • A sea otter obtains its food by diving to the ocean floor, catching the food in its forepaws or tucking it into skin folds in its armpits. After bringing the food to the surface, the otter eats while lying on its back in the water with the food on its chest. If the otter caught an abalone or other shelled creature, it will break open the shell with a rock.

    Quantity

    • Because of sea otters' high metabolic rate, most eat approximately 25 to 30 percent of their weight daily. A large male sea otter can eat up to 25 lb. of food per day. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has documented that captive sea otters need to eat only one-quarter of their body weight daily.