Sea Otters on the Olympic Coast

These lovable marine mammals can be found on the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern California, including Olympic National Park.

Sea otters are larger than their relatives the river otters, and unlike the river otter, rarely come ashore. Thick, brown fur protects sea otters from cold ocean water. Males in the Washington area can weigh up to 65 pounds and reach 4 feet in length.

Playful and smart, sea otters are the only mammals besides primates known to use tools: They use small rocks to pry their favorite food, shellfish, from underwater boulders, and to hammer the shells open.

See Sea Otters in Olympic

Along the coast, including Shi Shi Beach, Sand Point, and Rialto Beach.