Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Enhydra ("in water") lutris ("otter")

Sea Otter (subspecies E. l. nereis) at Monterey, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Enhydra lutris nereis
Weight: 22-45kg  /  Length: 1.2-1.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Endangered

Sea Otters are considered the smallest of all marine mammals, and live almost their entire lives in the water. Unlike most marine mammals however, this is allowed by the densest fur of any living animal which keep it warm. They feed on molluscs, which they bash open using a rock that they store in the pockets under their forearms. Heavily persecuted by the fur trade, sea otter numbers have partially begun to re-establish from their lowest point, but seem to have plateaued at lower levels than before.

Related Species:
Order: Carnivora 
Family: Mustelidae 
Genus: Enhydra
SUBSPECIES: E. l. lutris, E. l. kenyoni, E. l. nereis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found on the coast of Southern California, Washington and Southern Alaska
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Monterey

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

OTHER NAMES: European Otter, Otter, European River Otter 
Latin Etymology: Lutra ("otter") lutra ("otter") 

Adult Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) at Market Deeping, Lincolnshire - May 2026

Featured Subspecies: Lutra lutra lutra
Weight: 7-12kg  /  Length: 57-95cm 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

A very widely distributed species found broadly across most of Eurasia where suitable habitat is available as well as some range in Algeria and Tunisia. Formally extremely rare in the UK due to pollution and persecution it has now reestablished in every county but remains a secretive and difficult animal to connect with.  They are primarily pescivorous but will expand their diet to wider prey as required. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Carnivora 
Family: Mustelidae 
Genus: Lutra
SUBSPECIES: L. l. lutra, L. l. aurobrunnea, L. l. barang, L. l. chinensis, L. l kutab, L. l. meridionalis, L. l. monticola, L. l. nair
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but scarce resident

 - Seen at Market Deeping in 2026 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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