Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large marine otter (Enhydra lutris) native to the northern Pacific Ocean coasts, characterized by its exceptionally thick, dark brown fur, which is the densest of any animal. Unlike most marine mammals, it lacks a blubber layer and relies on its fur for insulation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The sea otter is often seen floating on its back, using a rock as a tool to crack open shellfish.
  • Conservation efforts have helped the endangered sea otter population recover in some areas.
  • The sea otter's fur is crucial for its survival in cold water.

Advanced Usage

• "Sea otter raft": A term for a group of sea otters resting together, often holding paws to stay anchored.

  • We observed a large sea otter raft of over fifty individuals in the bay.

• "Keystone species": In ecology, the sea otter is often described as a keystone species because its predation on sea urchins helps maintain kelp forest ecosystems.

  • The reintroduction of the sea otter restored balance to the coastal ecosystem by controlling the sea urchin population.

Variants and Related Words

• Otter (n): A general term for semiaquatic mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae, which includes both river and sea otters.
  • While the river otter is smaller, the sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family.

Synonyms

• Marine otter: A direct synonym, though this term can also refer to a different species () found along South American coasts. The context usually clarifies the reference to .

Related Phrases

• "Sea otter conservation": Refers to the protection and management efforts for this species.
  • The success of sea otter conservation is a landmark case in marine biology.

Related Idioms

• None directly associated. The term "sea otter" is a specific zoological name and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.

Noun

1. large marine otter of northern Pacific coasts having very thick dark brown fur