Southern Sea Otter, Moss Landing, California
Back from the brink of extinction, there are now approximately 2,800 sea otters (Enhydra lutris) off the coast of California. Sea otters are listed as threatened on the Endangered Species List. Sea otters spend much of their time grooming their fur, as rubbing bubbles into their fur insulates them against the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters weigh 40-60 pounds and must eat up to one-quarter of their body weight every day.