Sea Otter
Sea OtterSea OtterSea OtterSea Otter

Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
20–30% · Possible
overall probability at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
21 Verified records at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
June Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

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 →

20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Sea Otter sighting in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, based on 21 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Wolverine
LC

Wolverine

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Gulo gulo

10–20% · With luck
Northern River Otter
LC Endemic

Northern River Otter

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lontra canadensis

Insufficient data
Brown Bear
LC Endemic

Brown Bear

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Ursus arctos

50–60% · Likely
Harbor Seal
LC

Harbor Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phoca vitulina

40–50% · Likely
American Black Bear
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Northern Sea Lion
NT

Northern Sea Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eumetopias jubatus

20–30% · Possible
Gray Wolf
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

10–20% · With luck
Canada Lynx
LC

Canada Lynx

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lynx canadensis

10–20% · With luck
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

Insufficient data
Northern Fur Seal
VU

Northern Fur Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Callorhinus ursinus

Insufficient data
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

20–30
Jan
20–30
Feb
10–20
Mar
5–10
Apr
20–30
May
30–40
Jun
30–40
Jul
10–20
Aug
30–40
Sep
10–20
Oct
20–30
Nov
20–30
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

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
80–90%
2 Katmai National Park 🇺🇸 United States
30–40%
3 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve 🇨🇦 Canada
30–40%
4 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
5 Great Bear Rainforest 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%
6 Olympic National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Sea Otter in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?

About 29% of wildlife watchers report a Sea Otter sighting in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, based on 21 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Sea Otter in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?

June has the highest sighting rate for Sea Otter in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in our monthly data.

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