*** About Sea Otters: Sea otters, a keystone species, play a critical role in maintaining the health of kelp forests. These marine mammals use rocks as tools to crack open shellfish, their primary diet, which helps control the sea urchin population. Sea urchins, if left unchecked, can decimate kelp forests, crucial habitats for many marine organisms. Sea otters have a rich history, having been hunted to the brink of extinction for their dense, water-resistant fur. Conservation efforts have helped their populations rebound in some areas, but they remain an endangered species, facing threats from oil spills, fishing nets, and habitat loss.

Image ID: 67751

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