Northern sea otter

Enhydra lutris kenyoni

These otters are slightly larger than their counterparts, and as their name suggests, they hail from northern territories. Their range extends from the Aleutian Islands to Prince William Sound in Alaska, US, progressing along the Pacific coast of Canada and then with small populations extending into Oregon, US.

Southern sea otter

Enhydra lutris nereis

Southern sea otters (also known as California sea otters) are only found along the Californian coastline. They are slightly smaller in size compared to the northern subspecies, growing to around 1.2 metres (four feet) in length, and range from San Mateo County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south.

Common sea otter

Enhydra lutris lutris

This otter subspecies is mostly found in Asian waters, historically hailing from the coastal regions of Japan up to the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea. They are very like their southern and northern cousins, feeding on sea urchins and crustaceans and keeping the kelp beds healthy.