sea otter

American  

noun

1. a marine otter, Enhydra lutris, of the shores of the northern Pacific, with a very valuable fur: now greatly reduced in number and rare in many areas.

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sea otter British  

noun

1. a large marine otter, Enhydra lutris, of N Pacific coasts, formerly hunted for its thick dark brown fur

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Etymology

Origin of sea otter

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

How sea otter pup was reunited with mom.

From MarketWatch

The last to arrive was Shelly, the sea otter, who wriggled up the muddy riverbank.

From Literature

Laughlin said the state agency had no plans “to intervene with the sea otter currently interacting with humans in Santa Cruz.”

From Los Angeles Times

Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, a tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs, is a known sea otter fan, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium had previously invited the couple for a special visit.

From Los Angeles Times

Widespread marine heat waves linked to a warming ocean are contributing to the loss of kelp forests that sea otters and other marine mammals depend on.

From Los Angeles Times