Discovering British Columbia · Drawing 06 of 32
Sea Otters in the Kelp
Vancouver Island coast
Two sea otters float near the kelp. The pup stays beside the adult. Long seaweeds sway around them. A whole living world lies along this shore.
Did you know?
By eating sea urchins, otters can help kelp forests thrive.
Look together
Which shapes distinguish the otters from the seaweed?
An idea to try
Move your finger in a wave like a kelp frond.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
The fur trade nearly eliminated sea otters from this coast. They were reintroduced to British Columbia between 1969 and 1972. Their feeding changes coastal habitats: fewer sea urchins can allow more kelp to grow.
Look together: Which shapes distinguish the otters from the seaweed? Move your finger in a wave like a kelp frond.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Simplified interpretation for colouring. Settings and people may be composed. Details, distances and proportions are not a measured record of the place.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Sea otters return, nearshore ecosystems changePlace, history or habitat described on this page.
Source review: 2026-10-03. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
