eb-sea-otter

=Sea otter =

[[image:sea_otter_float.jpg width="235" height="169" align="left" caption="Sea otter floating"]]


===Physical description: Sea otters are one of the smallest marine mammals; have very dense fur that's waterproof; are usually deep brown in coloring with silver-grey speckles; and head, throat, and chest are lighter on adults. === 

 Female: weigh 30 to 73 lbs and are 3.3 to 4.7 ft. long.


===Habitat: Pacific Ocean -water temperatures of 21° celsius to 38° celsius below their body temperature of 39° celsius. Live in fairly shallow waters, deepest is 40m, near kelp forests. ===

===Diet: Sea urchins, molluscs, crustaceans, clams, mussels, albalone, snails, crabs, and fish. === <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="background-color: rgb(23, 207, 192);"> ===<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">Behavior & adaptations to its way of life:<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> They use tools, like rocks, for feeding, and roll at the surface for insulation. They <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">can walk on land but prefer water, and their nose and ears can close when under water. === <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> ===<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(23, 207, 192);">How it reproduces:<span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"> Sea otters are Polygynous which means they don't mate for life. Sea otter mating is very rough, with the male biting the female and sometimes holding her head under water. Births occur year-round and happen in water. Females are very caring for their pups. === <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(155, 47, 182);"> <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(150, 34, 206);"> ===<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(150, 34, 206);">Relationship to other animals (predator/prey, parasite, etc.): <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">Sea otters are prey for Orcas, and Sea lions <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">, also, Bald Eagles eat sea otter pups. === <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="background-color: rgb(23, 207, 192);"> ===<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(215, 69, 9);">Status: <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(255, 146, 26);"> Endangered. They are endangered because people used to hunt them for their fur. Another threat for sea otters are oil spills which soaks their fur so that they can't float. <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(255, 146, 26);"> === <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(255, 146, 26);">