Language selection

Search

Is it a sea otter or a river otter?

PDF Document


Sea Otter

Feeds at sea lying on back

Feeds at sea lying on back

Large hind flippers

Large hind flippers

Mums carrying their pups

Mums carrying their pups

Swims and finds food in the sea
  Climbs out on docks and floats
  Lives along coastal shores and is common in the Strait of Georgia
  Eats mainly fish but also some invertebrates
  Typically brings prey ashore to eat
Eats sea urchins, clams, crab and other shellfish  
Eats prey lying on back at sea  
  Dens on land, sometimes under people’s houses!
  Has several young in a litter
  Has a long pointy tail
  Swims on its belly
Swims on its back  
Lives at seas. Rarely comes ashore  
Clumsy on land. Hind feet are large flippers  
Gives birth at sea. Carries its single pup on its belly  
  Adult weighs up to 14 kg
Adult weighs 27 to 45 kg (size of a Lab retriever)  

River Otter

Long pointy tail, climbs out on docks

Long pointy tail, climbs out on docks

Comes ashore to den and eat prey

Comes ashore to den and eat prey

Swims on belly

Swims on belly

Date modified: