Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are known for using tools, particularly rocks, to crack open hard-shelled prey like clams and sea urchins.
What makes them unique is that they have loose skin folds under their forearms (often called "armpits") which act like pockets. They use these pouches to store not only food but also their preferred tools — typically flat rocks used to smash open shells.
According to marine biology research from institutions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Sea Otter Research at UC Santa Cruz, this behavior is considered a form of animal tool use, which is relatively rare among non-primates. Some otters even appear to have a "favorite rock" they use repeatedly over time.
Sources:
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- UC Santa Cruz Sea Otter Research
- National Geographic & BBC Earth documentaries
What makes them unique is that they have loose skin folds under their forearms (often called "armpits") which act like pockets. They use these pouches to store not only food but also their preferred tools — typically flat rocks used to smash open shells.
According to marine biology research from institutions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Sea Otter Research at UC Santa Cruz, this behavior is considered a form of animal tool use, which is relatively rare among non-primates. Some otters even appear to have a "favorite rock" they use repeatedly over time.
Sources:
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- UC Santa Cruz Sea Otter Research
- National Geographic & BBC Earth documentaries
Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are known for using tools, particularly rocks, to crack open hard-shelled prey like clams and sea urchins.
What makes them unique is that they have loose skin folds under their forearms (often called "armpits") which act like pockets. They use these pouches to store not only food but also their preferred tools — typically flat rocks used to smash open shells.
According to marine biology research from institutions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Sea Otter Research at UC Santa Cruz, this behavior is considered a form of animal tool use, which is relatively rare among non-primates. Some otters even appear to have a "favorite rock" they use repeatedly over time.
Sources:
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- UC Santa Cruz Sea Otter Research
- National Geographic & BBC Earth documentaries
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