Marine Otter | Oceana
Home / Marine Otter

Marine Life Encyclopedia

Marine Mammals

Marine Otter

Lontra Felina

Distribution

Coastal Peru, Chile, and Argentina

ECOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Rocky shores

FEEDING HABITS

Foraging predator

TAXONOMY

Order Carnivora (carnivorans), Family Mustelidae (weasels and relatives)

Marine otters are foraging predators that eat a wide variety of prey. While they prefer invertebrates, including crabs, clams, and other hard-shelled groups, they are also known to eat some fishes, juvenile birds, and even other mammals. They also scavenge for garbage, bringing them into close contact with people. Unlike many species of weasels, scientists believe the marine otter to be monogamous. Mating, birth, and nursing take place onshore, in protected dens. Adult marine otters are quite small. They only reach about 13 pounds (6 kg) vs. 100 pounds (45 kg) in sea otters.

Unlike most marine mammals that rely on a thick layer of blubber to insulate them from cold ocean waters, marine otters rely on their extremely thick fur. Unfortunately, their fur also nearly led to this species’ demise. Excessive hunting reduced the numbers of marine otters significantly and now the species is endangered (highly vulnerable to extinction). The geographic range is also constricted compared to pre-hunting times, and it may still disappear from some places, as poaching continues to be a problem. Though the marine otter has complete or partial legal protection throughout its range, it continues to show decreasing populations. Without continuing conservation measures and legal protection, this charismatic species could be at risk of being lost forever.

Engage Youth with Sailors for the Sea

Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids.

Kids Environmental Lesson Plans

Additional Resources:

IUCN Red List

Get Involved

Donate Today

SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean.

Donate Now

TAKE ACTION NOW

Support policy change for the oceans

Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

Sign Now

VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

Shop Today

DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

Learn More

FEATURED CAMPAIGN

Save the Oceans, Feed the World

We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

Learn More

More CAMPAIGNs

Protect Habitat

Bycatch

Plastics

View All

CONTACT

Oceana International Headquarters
1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036 USA

General Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
info@oceana.org

Donation Inquiries
+1(202)-996-7174
wavemaker@oceana.org

Press Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
press@oceana.org

OCEANA'S EFFICIENCY

BECOME A WAVEMAKER

Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

Donate Now

QUICK LINKS: