* Size difference: Great white sharks are massive apex predators, typically reaching lengths of 15-20 feet. Sea otters are tiny, measuring only 4-5 feet long. The size disparity makes hunting sea otters impractical and inefficient for great whites.
* Habitat and Diet: Great white sharks primarily inhabit coastal waters and prefer to hunt larger prey like seals, sea lions, fish, and even whales. Sea otters, on the other hand, live in coastal kelp forests and feed on invertebrates like crabs, shellfish, and sea urchins. Their habitat and diet are significantly different from those of great whites.
* Defense mechanisms: Sea otters are surprisingly well-defended. They are agile swimmers and possess sharp claws and teeth that can inflict damage on predators. Additionally, they live in large groups, providing safety in numbers.
While great white sharks may occasionally encounter sea otters in their overlapping range, the two species don't typically interact as predator and prey. Sea otters face more threats from other predators, such as orcas and sharks like the salmon shark.