Sea otters are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972. This act makes it illegal to:
* Harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.
* Import or export any marine mammal.
* Take, possess, or sell any marine mammal or product made from a marine mammal.
Exceptions to this law are extremely rare and only granted for scientific research purposes or for rehabilitation programs.
Owning a sea otter as a pet is not only illegal but also extremely harmful to the animal. Sea otters are complex creatures with specific needs that cannot be met in a domestic environment.
If you are interested in learning more about sea otters, you can visit a reputable aquarium or research organization. You can also support organizations that work to protect and conserve these amazing animals.