Sea otters are the only mammals other than primates known to use tools. Otters use small rocks or other objects to pry prey from rocks and to hammer or pry open their food. They can dive up to 330 feet when foraging for food. Otters rest in coastal kelp forests, often draping the kelp over their bodies to keep from drifting away. Sea otters breed throughout the year.
Females give birth to one pup after a gestation period of six to eight months.
Oil spills, habitat loss, gill net entanglement and conflict with shellfish fisheries. Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II listed species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.