09-13-25

 When the aquarium contacted us about a members only otter talk, I said heck yeah!

What I learned or relearned about sea otters:

They have no blubber, so need to eat a lot (25% of body weight daily) to keep warm.

Their very thick fur acts as a dry suit, their skin does not get wet.

They were hunted to extinction in WA and OR for their pelts.

They were reintroduced from Alaska in the late 60’s.

In the next 5-10 years there are hopes to reintroduce otters to the Oregon coast again.

Otters are homebodies, they rarely travel more than 6 miles from home.

Otter moms are pregnant for six months, take care of a pup for six months, every year.

Otters eat things that eat kelp, keeping kelp beds healthy.

Kelp beds help regulate warming oceans.  Otters play a big role in helping climate change.