Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassMammalia (Mamífers)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnívors)
- FamilyMustelidae (Mustelids)
- GenusEnhydra (sea otters)
- SpeciesEnhydra lutris (Sea Otter)
The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (30–100 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. 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. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter is capable of living exclusively in the ocean. The sea otter inhabits nearshore environments, where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various mollusks and crustaceans, and some species of fish. Wikipedia →
30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Sea Otter sighting in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, based on 109 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Northern River Otter
Lontra canadensis
Coastal Marten
Martes caurina
Stoat
Mustela erminea
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
Northern Sea Lion
Eumetopias jubatus
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Northern Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
Northern Fur Seal
Callorhinus ursinus
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenai Fjords National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Katmai National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Pacific Rim National Park Reserve | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 4 | Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Great Bear Rainforest | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 6 | Olympic National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Sea Otter in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve?
About 31% of wildlife watchers report a Sea Otter sighting in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, based on 109 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Sea Otter in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve?
March has the highest sighting rate for Sea Otter in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in our monthly data.