Sea otter grooming fur, Monterey Bay, California

Life between fur and sea. Sea Otter Awareness Week

Few animals can claim to be both expert groomers and guardians of underwater forests. That's why Sea Otter Awareness Week, held each year during the last full week of September, encourages people to discover more about these remarkable marine mammals and the challenges they face.

In today's image, a sea otter grooms its fur in Monterey Bay, California. This behavior is far more than a daily ritual. Unlike seals and whales, sea otters have little insulating blubber, so they rely on the densest fur of any animal. Careful cleaning traps air within their coat, creating a waterproof layer that helps them stay warm in the cold Pacific. Sea otters are also considered a keystone species. By feeding on sea urchins and other invertebrates, they play a vital role in protecting kelp forests, which provide habitat for countless marine organisms. Once pushed to the brink by the fur trade, these charismatic mammals remain symbols of resilience and coastal conservation.