Sea otters are one of several species of mammals that undergo delayed implantation that allows for birth under favorable conditions and produces varied gestation times.

Because sea otter’s don’t have insulating fat, their reddish brown fur consists of two layers and is the densest of all mammals with about 100,000 hairs/cm².

Starting at 2 months of age, sea otters are capable of diving to depths of at least 45 m., but prefer coastal waters up to 30 m. deep to find food easier.

Cat and opossum feces travel to storm drains via runoff and toilet disposal, eventually coming into contact with sea otters and infecting them with deadly apicomplexan protozoan parasites that cause encephalitis.

Sea otters communicate with 9 vocalizations and each otter has its own distinct scent that convey identity, age, and sex.

The maximum estimated lifespan of sea otters is 23 years in the wild.

Sea otters consume 20-25% of their body weight each day, eating 3-4 times a day, and tend to be specialized in their choice of prey.

Sea otters are polygynous, with males having multiple female partners throughout the year.

Because male sea otters hold the female’s head or nose with their jaws during copulation, many females have visible face scars.

Sea otters are diurnal with crepuscular peaks in foraging activity and spend 15-55% of their time foraging, depending on food availability.