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Why do mother sea otters wrap pups in kelp before hunting?
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otter
A sea otter (Enhydra lutris) eating a crab.
Mother sea otters wrap their pups in kelp before hunting to keep them secure while the mother is away. This behavior allows the mother to leave her offspring floating safely on the water's surface, preventing them from drifting away while she searches for food.1
Because very young sea otters possess highly buoyant fur, they are naturally unable to sink, which makes this method of "anchoring" them in kelp beds a safe and effective way to protect them during short hunting trips.1