Wild southern sea otter mother & pup wallpaper

The world was in awe and "aww" when a sea otter gave birth in our Great Tide Pool in front of visitors and staff. Mom and her fluffy pup sheltered in the tidepool’s placid waters a few days before returning to Monterey Bay, where sea otters are vital to a healthy kelp forest habitat. As keystone species, sea otters have a powerful impact on their ocean home. They can be viewed as guardians of the kelp forest, consuming the grazers (like urchins and abalone) that feast upon the kelp fronds.

While otters inspire us to “aww”, we’ll always be in awe of these critically important animals and how they protect important coastal ecosystems.