Key takeaways
Sea otters are wild animals. Never touch, feed or approach them.
As predators, they eat sea urchins, crabs, clams, mussels and abalone.
They’re a keystone species, so their presence has a big impact on the health of coastal ecosystems.
If a sea otter raises its head, looks at you, dives or swims away, you’re too close.
Giving sea otters space is one simple way to help protect them.
Are sea otters friendly to humans?
Not exactly. Sea otters can seem relaxed around people, but they aren’t tame. They’re wild marine mammals that spend most of their lives in the ocean. Some live near harbors and bays where people boat, paddle and play, so they may look comfortable around humans. That doesn’t mean they want to interact.
Sea otters that get used to being around people can grow bolder. In rare cases, a sea otter may try to climb on a kayak, paddleboard or dock — that’s dangerous for people, pets and the sea otter alike.
The safest way to enjoy sea otters is to watch them behave naturally from a respectful distance. For a closer look at how they live, without disturbing them, see the secret life of sea otters.