Why are oil spills especially dangerous to sea otters?

Oil spills are exceptionally dangerous to sea otters because these animals rely entirely on their dense fur for insulation rather than a layer of blubber.1

Sea otters maintain their body temperature in frigid waters by trapping air within their specialized, waterproof coat. Crude oil ruins these vital insulating and waterproofing properties by matting the fur, which allows cold water to penetrate directly to the otter's skin. Once the coat's integrity is compromised, the animal loses body heat rapidly, often leading to death from hypothermia. Furthermore, sea otters can suffer from the toxic effects of ingesting oil while attempting to clean their fur through grooming, which is a critical survival activity for the species.12