Otter-preneurs: Female sea otters lead the way in tool use for survival
By Liz Kimbrough In California’s Monterey Bay, where the vast Pacific Ocean meets lush kelp forests, sea otters, especially the females, are becoming more resourceful. These charismatic marine mammals, known for their playful nature and voracious appetites, are facing new challenges and using tools to overcome them. For generations, southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) have relied on the abundant urchins and abalone that populate the kelp forests as their primary food sources. These preferred prey items are relatively easy for otters to crack open and provide a rich source of nutrients....