June, 2015


15
Jun 15

Moss Landing Southern Sea Otters–06

Photograph of a Southern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris nereis, at Moss Landing, CaliforniaOtters are one of the few animals that use tools. They often use rocks to break open prey such as crabs or clams. I watched this otter repeatedly break open shells on rocks in shallow water along Jetty Road.


8
Jun 15

Moss Landing Southern Sea Otters–05

Photograph of a Southern Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris nereis, at Moss Landing, CaliforniaOtters eat clams, mussels, sea urchins, abalone, oysters, squid, crab and other small marine species. They need to eat 25 to 30% of their body weight in food each day! If you watch them for any length of time, you see they are always in motion if they aren’t sleeping.