Sea otter tools save their teeth

Researchers have discovered that sea otters use tools to break open hard-shelled creatures to protect their teeth. Scientists and volunteers tracked the behaviour of 196 sea otters in Monterey Bay in California, US. Sea otters prefer to eat sea urchins and abalones (small sea creatures with shells that are easy to break open). However, these creatures are getting rarer, so otters are seeking out other things to eat, like crabs and clams. Crabs and clams are much tougher to break open. To avoid harming their teeth on the harder shells, the sea otters use tools like rocks and shells – or even the edge of a boat – to crack open the shells and eat the soft and tasty food inside. Using tools is important for sea otters’ survival because…

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The Week Junior (UK) (Digital) - 1 Issue, 442

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