slgwv's photos with the keyword: sea otter

In the Columbia River estuary on the Washington (state) side, just off US 101. Probably a North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ), but it may be a sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) outside its usual current range. I'm not sure how to tell the difference! The inset is a view of the animal swimming.

In the Columbia River estuary on the Washington (state) side, just off US 101. Probably a North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ), but it may be a sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) outside its usual contemporary range. I'm not sure how to tell the difference!