1. Use of Rocks: Sea otters are known to use rocks as tools for breaking open hard-shelled prey like clams, mussels, and sea urchins. They place a rock on their chest or belly and use their forepaws to pound on the rock, cracking open the shell and accessing the soft insides. This behavior is often referred to as "tool use" and demonstrates the intelligence and adaptability of sea otters.
2. Floating on Their Backs: Sea otters often float on their backs while feeding. This position allows them to use their forepaws more effectively to handle and manipulate their prey. They hold the food item, such as a sea urchin or crab, in their paws while using their teeth to extract and consume the edible parts.
3. Fur Pockets: Sea otters have dense, water-resistant fur that acts as a natural pouch for storing food. They have loose skin under their forelimbs, which they use to create temporary pockets. While diving for food, sea otters may stash extra food items in these fur pockets to bring back to the surface for consumption later.
4. Eating Marine Invertebrates: Sea otters primarily consume a variety of marine invertebrates, including sea urchins, clams, mussels, abalone, crabs, and other crustaceans. They have specialized teeth that are adapted for crushing and grinding the hard shells of their prey.
5. Foraging Dives: Sea otters are capable of diving to depths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) in search of food. They hold their breath during these dives and use their strong hind flippers to propel themselves through the water. Once they reach the ocean floor, they forage for food items using their sensitive whiskers and paws.
6. Daily Food Consumption: Sea otters have a high metabolism and require a significant amount of food each day. They can consume up to 25% of their body weight in food per day, which is equivalent to several pounds of seafood. This high food consumption is necessary to maintain their energy levels and body heat in the cold marine environment.
7. Habitat Impact: Sea otters play a crucial role in maintaining the health of kelp forests. By consuming sea urchins, which feed on kelp, sea otters help prevent kelp forests from being overgrazed and promote their growth. This has positive effects on the entire marine ecosystem, supporting diverse marine life that depends on kelp for food and habitat.