Enhydra lutris (sea otter)
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| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Mustelidae |
| Genus | Enhydra |
| Species | Enhydra lutris |
| Common | sea otter |
| Diet | Carnivorous, wide range of seafood in kelp forests. Keystone predator in otter-sea urchin-kelp ecosystem. |
| Habitat | Temperate coastal waters, kelp beds. |
| Description | Tail short and thick, merges gradually with body. Toes webbed. Much larger than river otter. |
| Skull Characteristics | Molariforms squarish and adapted for crushing, no carnassial. Large nasal opening. 32 teeth, 3 premolars, only 2 lower incisors. Condyloid process locks into glenoid fossa. |
| Notes | Links to more species information:
Smithsonian Animal Diversity Web |