ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sea otter

Sea otters are super cute and fuzzy animals that live in the water. They are part of the weasel family, which means they are related to animals like ferrets and minks.

Sea otters spend most of their time in the water, and they are well adapted for this. They have webbed feet that help them swim quickly and they can hold their breath for up to five minutes. They also have super thick fur that keeps them warm in the chilly water.

Sea otters eat lots of seafood, especially clams, mussels and crabs. They use rocks to open their food, which is pretty clever! They will float on their back and use a rock to crack open a clam or mussel, then eat the insides. Yum!

Sea otters are important to the ecosystem of the ocean because they help keep the sea floor clean by eating lots of shellfish. They also help some kelp forests grow by eating the sea urchins that would otherwise eat the kelp.

Unfortunately, sea otters are an endangered species because they have been hunted for their fur and because of pollution and oil spills. Thankfully, many people are working hard to protect sea otters and their habitat, so that they can continue to be a part of our world for a long time to come.
Related topics others have asked about: