Order Carnivora, Family Mustelidae
General Distribution:
Coast of Russia, western Canada, and the United States.
Range in Washington:
Reintroduced along coast.
Habitat:
Kelp beds in ocean.
Diet:
Sea urchins, shellfish.
Habitats:
Exclusively aquatic; uses rocks as tools to crush shells.
Identification:
Dark brown with yellowish head; large crushing molars.
Total length: 75-180 cm; tail: 25-35 cm; mass: 12-36 kg. Males larger than females.
Conservation Status:
State Endangered.
