Sea Otters Facts

After a gestation period that lasts between four and 12 months, females will give birth to their pup in the water. Otters almost always give birth to one pup at a time, and on the very rare occasion that they give birth to twins, chances are only one can be successfully cared for and survive. When a mother nurses her little one, she lays him on her chest and stomach while floating on her back. A mother will groom her pup for hours, until he is so fluffy he can barely swim (but at least he's warm!). And to keep her youngster from drifting out to sea while diving for food, she'll wrap him in the always-useful kelp. We certainly hope sea otters celebrate Mother's Day in their own way.