Marine Otters Spotted At Woodland Jetty 2013

A group of Marine Otter spotted at Woodland Jetty or Woodland Waterfront they mainly inhabits rocky shorelines with abundant seaweed and small fishes, and infrequently visits estuaries and freshwater rivers. It appears to select habitats with surprisingly high exposure to strong swells and winds, unlike many other otters, which prefer calmer waters. Caves and crevices in the rocky shorelines may provide them with the cover they need, and often a holt will have no land access at high tide. Marine otters avoid sandy beaches.

Little is known about the diet of marine otters, but their primary prey is believed to be crab, shrimp, mollusks, and fish.

Marine otters are most often seen individually or in small groups of up to three. They are difficult to spot, swimming low in the water, exposing only their heads and backs. It is not known whether they are territorial, as males are occasionally seen fighting, yet fights have also been observed even between mating pairs. Fighting takes place on prominent rocks above the waterline, which are also used for resting, feeding, and grooming. Marine otters have also been observed feeding cooperatively on large fish, but it is not known how common the practice is.

The otters are diurnal, primarily active in the daytime.


A group of Marine Otter spotted at Woodland Jetty or Woodland Waterfront on 17th December 2013.
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