Sea otters are much larger than their river-dwelling cousins. Sea otters in California reach 50 to 70 pounds, while those in Alaska can weigh up to 100 pounds.

A sea otter raft in action Hal Beral/Getty Images They also wrap themselves in kelp ("like a burrito," Barrett says!). The kelp keeps the sea otters from floating away, like an anchor to a boat.

Over 50 people had voted in person Wednesday morning, choosing among the names Esa, Jade, Marina and Rey for the 3-year-old ...

By holding onto one another, they create a sort of floating raft, making it easier to remain together as a group. To Feel Safe from Predators. Additionally, sea otters are very social animals, and ...

A group of sea otters floating in the ocean is called a raft. Sometimes otters in a raft will “hold hands,” which helps keep them together and warms their paws. Pups are born with buoyant fur that ...

The otter wouldn’t let go the end of the surfboard. The surfer, who was trying to spend his Sunday riding the waves near Santa Cruz, Calif., rocked the board back and forth, trying to nudge the ...

Aquarium staff members described their newest sea otter resident as “smart, sassy, confident, and protective — an otter that watches out for her raft.” The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s newest ...

It’s Sea Otter Awareness Week, which has been recognized for more than two decades. It started as a way to inform people about the vital role these animals play in coastal marine ecosystems.

The life of a sea otter is filled with dangers, from oil spills and pollution to devastating storms and habitat loss. As the video above shows, even a powerful wave could potentially spell ...