Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
Marine mammal native to the coasts Pacific Ocean, the heaviest member of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals, quite distinct from seals and sea lions. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Its use of rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools. Sea otters once numbered 150,000–300,000, but were hunted extensively for their fur between 1741 and 1911. The world population fell to 1,000–2,000 individuals living in a fraction of their historic range, only 50 in California. A subsequent international ban on hunting, sea otter conservation efforts, and reintroduction programs into previously populated areas have contributed to numbers rebounding, up to 3000 in California currently. Still, an endangered species. [Paraphrased from Wikipedia] Morro Bay, California.
Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
Marine mammal native to the coasts Pacific Ocean, the heaviest member of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals, quite distinct from seals and sea lions. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Its use of rocks to dislodge prey and to open shells makes it one of the few mammal species to use tools. Sea otters once numbered 150,000–300,000, but were hunted extensively for their fur between 1741 and 1911. The world population fell to 1,000–2,000 individuals living in a fraction of their historic range, only 50 in California. A subsequent international ban on hunting, sea otter conservation efforts, and reintroduction programs into previously populated areas have contributed to numbers rebounding, up to 3000 in California currently. Still, an endangered species. [Paraphrased from Wikipedia] Morro Bay, California.