The Ocean’s Cutest Environmentalists

Blaine and I just returned from a short trip to the Monterey Peninsula in California. Among the many birds and marine animals we saw, our favorites were the sea otters. Found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean, sea otters are cute and playful. They’re also a keystone species, vital to the health of underwater habitats.

Sea otters keep populations of sea urchins in check. Urchins have enormous appetites and feed on kelp. When left unchecked, they can decimate entire kelp forests, transforming vibrant underwater habitats into barren seascapes. By preying on sea urchins, otters help kelp forests stay lush and healthy. These underwater forests provide food and shelter for many species of fish, crabs and other marine creatures, maintaining biodiversity and stability of the food web.

But it doesn’t stop there. Kelp forests do more than support ocean life—they also help fight climate change. Kelp soaks up an incredible amount of carbon dioxide, acting like a natural air filter for the planet. By keeping these forests intact, sea otters play a hidden but crucial role in reducing greenhouse gases. Plus, thriving marine ecosystems support local economies such as fishing and ecotourism. So  sea otters help people as well as nature.

However, sea otters face numerous threats, including habitat loss, predation by orcas and pollution. To keep them warm, sea otters have the densest fur of all mammals (up to one million hairs per square inch!). But oil in the ocean destroys this insulation, which can lead to hypothermia and death. Conservation efforts to protect this keystone species focus on reducing human-caused threats and preserving their habitat. By helping sea otters, we’ll also be helping our oceans and our climate.