1. Hunting and Gathering:
* Divers: They dive for clams, mussels, crabs, urchins, and other shellfish, using their keen eyesight and whiskers to locate them.
* Tool Users: Sea otters are known to use rocks as tools to pry open shellfish, demonstrating remarkable intelligence. They often carry a favorite rock in a "pouch" under their armpit.
2. Eating:
* Floating Feast: Sea otters are the only marine mammal to eat while floating on their backs. This allows them to keep their heads above water while using their paws and chest to hold and manipulate food.
* "Rock-a-bye" Method: They often place their food on their bellies, using their paws to hold it steady. They then break it open with their powerful teeth and a rock, if needed.
* Fast Metabolism: Sea otters have a very high metabolism due to their small size and cold water environment. They need to eat about 25% of their body weight in food every day!
* No Chewing: Unlike many animals, they do not chew their food. Instead, they swallow it whole, relying on their digestive system to break it down.
Interesting Fact: Sea otters sometimes wrap themselves in kelp to prevent being swept away by currents while they are eating.
In summary, sea otters are remarkable creatures with a unique and efficient way of eating. Their intelligence, dexterity, and adaptability allow them to thrive in their challenging marine environment.