Why do otters carry rocks with them?
Sea otters have flaps of loose skin under each forearm that they use like a pocket or pouch to carry as much food as possible back to the surface. Otters also use these pockets to stash the next item on our list. Rocks. Sea otters use rocks to crack open clams, crabs and other shellfish on their tummies.
Do otters keep a stone for life?
Sea otters are also known to juggle rocks and even form an attachment to a certain stone and have been known to retain it by keeping it in their armpit!
Do otters have a rock pouch?
Under each foreleg, the sea otter has a loose pouch of skin that extends across the chest. In this pouch (preferentially the left one), the animal stores collected food to bring to the surface. This pouch also holds a rock, unique to the otter, that is used to break open shellfish and clams.
Where does a sea otter keep its stone?
To crack open the tough shells, the sea otter pounds them against a stone which it balances on its chest. An otter keeps a favourite stone in a ‘waistcoat pocket’, which is a fold of skin under its armpit. Otters carry their favourite stone with them at all times throughout their life no matter what else happens.
How does a sea otter break a shell?
After catching hard-shelled prey like shellfish or sea urchins, sea otters will break open the shell by hitting it against a stone resting on their belly. Otters have even been known to have a favourite stone that they carry around in their armpits.
What kind of food does an otter eat?
Sea otters feed on clams and sea urchins from the sea bed. To crack open the tough shells, the sea otter pounds them against a stone which it balances on its chest. An otter keeps a favourite stone in a ‘waistcoat pocket’, which is a fold of skin under its armpit.
What do sea otters use their hands for?
Sea otters have dexterous hands which they use to grasp prey. The lower incisors of sea otters protrude and are shaped like spades, a shape which may facilitate their ability to scoop food out of shellfish.