What is the sea rat called? - briefly
The nickname “sea rat” designates a seal, a marine mammal belonging to the family Phocidae. Harbor seals are the species most frequently referred to by this term.
What is the sea rat called? - in detail
The marine mammal commonly referred to as the “sea rat” is the sea otter (Enhydra lutris). It belongs to the family Mustelidae, subfamily Lutrinae, and is the sole extant species of the genus Enhydra.
Sea otters inhabit coastal waters of the North Pacific, ranging from the Aleutian Islands and western Alaska through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and down to northern Japan and the Russian Far East. They favor kelp forests, rocky shorelines, and sheltered bays where abundant prey is available.
Key characteristics:
- Size: Adults measure 1.2–1.5 m in length; weight varies from 14 kg (females) to 45 kg (males).
- Fur: Densest of any mammal, with up to one million hairs per square inch, providing insulation in cold water.
- Diet: Primarily crustaceans (crabs, sea urchins), mollusks, and small fish; prey is often cracked open using stones held on the belly.
- Behavior: Highly social; form rafts of up to dozens of individuals. Use kelp to anchor themselves while resting.
- Reproduction: Females give birth to a single pup after a gestation period of about six months; pups are nursed for 6–8 months.
Conservation status is listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN. Threats include historical fur trade, oil spills, habitat degradation, and competition with fisheries. Protection measures involve regulated hunting, marine protected areas, and rehabilitation programs.
Understanding the biology and ecology of this species is essential for effective management and recovery efforts.