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sea otter
noun
: a rare marine otter (Enhydra lutris) of the northern Pacific coasts that may attain a length of six feet (two meters), is chiefly brown but with lighter coloration on the back of the head and neck, and feeds largely on shellfish
Examples of sea otter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While sea otters are known for using tools, not all individuals actually wield them.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 20 May 2024
Federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, monitor the effect of the blasts on such animals as sea otters, bats, western snowy plovers, California least terns and California red-legged frogs.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
Then the ecologist James Estes documented how sea otters in California’s offshore kelp forests played a keystone role akin to that of starfish in Paine’s tide pools.
—Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024
The main difference between the river otter and sea otter is in the name, according to the Seattle Aquarium.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sea otter
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sea otter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1664, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near sea otter
Cite this Entry
“Sea otter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20otter. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
sea otter
noun
: a large marine otter of northern Pacific coasts that feeds mostly on shellfish (as clams, crabs, and sea urchins) and can grow to nearly six feet (two meters) in length
More from Merriam-Webster on sea otter
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sea otter
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