Sea otters currently have stable populations in parts of the Russian east coast, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and California, with reports of recolonizations in Mexico and Japan. Population estimates made between 2004 and 2007 give a worldwide total of approximately 107,000 sea otters. The last native sea otter in Oregon was probably shot and killed in 1906. In 1970 and 1971, a total of 95 sea otters were transplanted from Amchitka Island, Alaska to the Southern Oregon coast. However, this translocation effort failed and otters soon again disappeared from the state. Sea otters have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Sea otters often float at the water's surface, lying on their backs in a posture of serene repose. They sleep this way, often gathered in groups.  The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. Otter abodes feature numerous tunnels—one of which usually allows them to come and go from the water. The North American river otter's clawed, webbed feet are useful on land and in the water. Its diet includes birds, small rodents, frogs, crabs, and fish. I watched it play in the water alongside my canoe for a good 10 minutes, explained the animated voice on the telephone. Since completion of the program to return the river otter to its native habitat in the Mountain State, Division of Natural Resources personnel have received many calls about the otter each year. Each caller is very excited about a unique experience in the wilds of West Virginia. A few river otters were found in the South Branch of the Potomac in Grant and Pendleton counties and Red Creek in Tucker County as late as the 1950s. Although the state legislature gave the river otter total protection in 1925, populations were too low for this colorful clown of the waterways to survive. The sea otter inhabits offshore environments, where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, various molluscs and crustaceans, and some species of fish. The last native sea otter in Oregon was probably shot and killed in 1906. In 1970 and 1971, a total of 95 sea otters were transplanted from Amchitka Island, Alaska to the Southern Oregon coast. However, this translocation effort failed and otters soon again disappeared from the state. River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris, Fig. 2). However, male sea otters measure 6 feet in length and weigh 80 pounds. Sea otters are acclimated to salt water, and come to shore only for occasional rest periods and to give birth. River otters are active year round, and, except for females with young in a den, are constantly on the move. They tend to follow a regular circuit that is covered in one to four weeks. Males can travel 150 miles within a particular watershed and its tributaries in a year. natural history. Historically, sea otters inhabited the North Pacific Rim of the Pacific Ocean, from Hokkaido, Japan, through the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka Peninsula, Commander and Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and south along the west coast of North America down to Baja California, Mexico (Kenyon 1969). The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (31 and 99 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. The last native sea otter in Oregon was probably shot and killed in 1906. In 1970 and 1971, a total of 95 sea otters were transplanted from Amchitka Island, Alaska to the Southern Oregon coast. However, this translocation effort failed and otters soon again disappeared from the state. In the U.S., there are two distinct sea otter subspecies, the Northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) and the Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis). Northern sea otters are found in the Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. Southern sea otters, also known as California sea otters, live in the waters along the California coastline and range from San Mateo County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. Diet. Sea otters eat urchins, abalone, mussels, clams, crabs, snails and about 40 other marine species. Sea otters eat approximately 25% of their weight in food each day to support their high metabolism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_otter http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sea-otter/ http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/american-river-otter/ http://www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/magazine/Archive/05spring/clown_of_waterways_returned.shtm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_otter http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/river_otters.html http://www.otterproject.org/about-sea-otters/natural-history/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_otter http://www.defenders.org/sea-otter/basic-facts
where are otters indigenous to