I found this female Sea Otter in the harbour. She was eating a clam and seemed very friendly. I know she is a female because of that pink on her nose. That pink is actually scar tissue. The male grabs her by the nose during mating. Otter sex is rough on the female.
Tofino Photography 
Wayne… Found your website I haven’t seen you for a couple of years this is Jim Sackmann I am planning on being in Tofino for the summer again this year and hope to get a chance to see you again… Nice to see your businesses flourishing I wish you well… Pencove@yahoo.com
Photo and facts, super.
Thank you Hans! Always good to hear from you!
Adorable photos Wayne. She looks happy as a clam as the saying goes … Well happier than the clam she is holding that is. Is it true that Otters carry a stone/pebble tucked in an arm so they can open shellfish?
That shell may have been a Scallop shell? She sure seemed to love it!
Some of them use a favourite stone to crack the shells open. They are curious creatures!
I adore seeing the Otter mom floating on their backs while ferrying babies snuggled on their bellies. Curious beings indeed.
I like seeing them “raft” up by holding paws
That must be awesome! They must be quite smart to think of doing that. Very cooperative.
She is adorable! Thanks, Wayne.
She is at that Lynette! Glad you could see her during lunch time.
Aww! Otters are so cute
especially the Sea Otters! She’s a cutie!
How do otters open the clams?
They find a rock on the bottom and come back up to the surface. They use their tummy as a table to smack the shell open with that rock. If they like that particular rock they keep it under their arm pit. There’s a flap of skin there they can store the stone, like a pocket!
Wow! Who knew otters were that smart? It must be fascinating to watch them prepare and eat their meal.
they are such curious creatures to be sure Liz!
Few animals use tools and the Otter is the only one I know of that carries it’s tool with it?
Now you know!
:D
How wonderfully special to see this sea otter up close, Wayne. So close we can see the scallops of the clam. Delightful photos.
Glad you enjoyed it Jet! I was pleasantly surprised she allowed me to get so close!
Loved this, Wayne. While on a boat tour in Alaska off the Kenai peminsula, I was told that otters will frequently bring up octopi and eat them while floating on their backs. Darned if I didn’t look aft and saw an otter on its back eating an orange octopus. Everyone else missed it!
You have sharp eyes Noelle! A great memory for you!
What wonderful pictures, Wayne. She is adorable. I didn’t know that about the mating. Rhinos have a very aggressive courtship process too.
I think overall Natures mating is rather rough with many Robbie!
She’s a cutie! I get a kick out of how they lie on their backs to eat :)
They animals always make me smile.
Me too, they have such a humanistic face!
Delightful, Wayne!
What a delightful image – I was just wondering about the pink nose too!
Yes, many do not know the reason for that pink nose. It know is a really great way of identifying It as no two marks will be the same!
So the males must he hard to identify?
they are the ones without a pink nose.
You answered my question about the pink on the nose. Those are beautiful photos of her.
I have watched the mating of Sea Otters and it is rough. Glad you enjoyed the shots Lavinia!
she looks beautiful and healthy,Wayne!
she sure does! I hope to see her in the harbour for a while!
Awesome captures, Wayne, I love these! How lucky to get such close shots, I hope she hangs around for you……and us!
me too Donna,It’s rare that a Sea Otter comes into the harbour and even rarer to find one that allows me to get close!
Golden opportunity to get these shots. Sex aside, I hear Otters may look cute, but not something you want to get close to, because they can be vicious, so I have heard
I think that just about describes all the animals out there Jane.
He grabs her by the nose? I hope she can retaliate, or just say ‘no’.
Yes and yes I do believe she does. He grabs her with a bite to the back of the neck. Not to hurt,just to secure. I suspect If that doesn’t work he will grab her by the nose?
I remember seeing two of the mating and tried to sneak around some rocks to get some shots but when she saw me (he didn’t) she turned around and bite him so as to be able to flee!
Gee whiz!
What a cutie and I love the pink nose, but don’t like the history behind getting it so I hope she bites back sometimes!
that nose is now like a finger print. It’s unique to just her,so Identifying her will now be easy!
It was unique all right, like a birthmark!
Ring of bright water?