iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

There’s a new Morro Bay resident! Welcome, little one. Sea otter mom’s aren’t able to ask for what they need. It’s up to you to give them space, quiet, and respect. This is a critical time for otter pups, only about half survive their first 3 weeks. Be a hero for them. Be sea otter savvy.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Since you all should be satiated with sea otters after last week, we thought you might not mind today’s bald eagles takeover for #wildlifewednesday. This Morro Bay resident was spotted this morning during our sea otter survey.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Sea Otter Awareness Week 2026 has come to an end. Sea Otter Savvy’s small team of staff and volunteers are leaders in organizing partnerships and collaborations throughout this week-long annual event. Thank you for your attention. Now we rest. #RespecttheNap

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

7 Days of Sea Otter Savvy: Day 7 Q: How can I photograph sea otters responsibly? Give them space. Get the shot with your zoom. Share with care. A great wildlife photo captures a natural moment, not one created by our presence. What we share can influence how others behave, too.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

7 Days of Sea Otter Savvy: Day 6 Q: What does “canopy” mean to a sea otter? A: A floating refuge! Surface kelp offers a place to rest, anchor, gather, and perhaps hide from predators below. For a sea otter, the canopy isn’t overhead. It’s right where it needs to be for a nap.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

7 Days of Sea Otter Savvy Q: Are sea otter pups super-sized? A: Yes! Sea otters are evolutionary outliers among mustelids, producing unusually large newborns. Why? They’re the only mustelid to give birth in water. Bigger pups may have an aquatic advantage.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

7 Days of Sea Otter Savvy: Day 4 Q: What animals prey on sea otters? Killer whales, bald eagles, bears, and wolves can all be predators. In California, white sharks kill otters but don’t appear to eat them. What major source of sea otter mortality did we leave off?

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

7 Days of Sea Otter Savvy: Day 3 🦦 Q: Do sea otters make abalone go extinct? A: No! Otters can reduce exposed abalone, but one study found endangered black abalone were MORE abundant where otter densities were higher—many tucked safely into crevices. “They eat them” ≠ “they eliminate them.” Win👇🧵

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

7 Days of Sea Otter Savvy: Day 2 🦦 Q: What has it got in its pocketses? A: Lunch? A tool? Probably not a lifelong favorite rock. Sea otters really have skin “pockets” for stashing prey or tools—but there’s no good evidence they keep a favorite rock for life. 📷 Natsuko Fujimoto

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

7 Days of Sea Otter Savvy: Day 1 🦦 Q: Have all sea otter populations recovered at similar rates? A: Not even close! After the fur trade, some populations rebounded rapidly. Others grew slowly, stalled, or declined. CA’s southern sea otters still occupy only a fraction of their historical range. 🧵👇

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

4th Annual Ca Coastal Ecology Day at Doran Beach was a success despite the winds 💨💨

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Reposted by @seaottersavvy.bsky.social

KarenGebbia @karengebbia.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Otters! The @seaottersavvy.bsky.social crew at #bodegabay #doranbeach #californiacoast today 🦦🦦🦦🦦🦦🌊🌊🌊🌊 #naturalist 🌿🌱 #marinemammals

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Step 1: Name two things sea otter flippers are for. Step 2: The watch this video. We bet you didn’t guess the second one. Take a deep breath and cuddle someone you love this weekend. #seaottersavvy #weekendvibes

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

🦦 How sea otter savvy were you? Saturday’s Asilomar video held a lot of clues: purple urchin prey, rocky-coast foraging, a clever way to flatten those spines—and a mom sharing her catch with her pup. All observed from the boardwalk. 🔭 What did you spot?

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

🦦 How sea otter savvy are you? How many behaviors and details can you spot in these rocky-coast specialists at Asilomar? 👀 What is she eating? What else do you notice? Share your observations, then check back for what we spotted! 🔭 Watch to the end for the Zoomed-out view.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Rainy season otter survey in Morro Bay today! It was glorious 🌧️

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Wildlife photography can inspire conservation—but not if getting the shot changes an animal’s behavior. 📷🦦 Our research tracks photography alongside distance, approach & sea otter response. The best shot? One that gives wildlife space. Tips: www.seaottersavvy.org/guidelines/p...

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Intern Insights goes into the field! 🦦🔭 At Elkhorn Slough, we record sea otter behavior alongside group size, pups, habitat, tide, wind, nearby stimuli & distance. These long-term data help reveal when—and at what distance—human activity changes sea otter behavior.🧵👇 #SeaOtterResearch

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

🤿 Happy International Scuba Day! Every dive is a chance to protect the ocean. Give sea otters space, plan your entry around resting rafts, and leave the water cleaner than you found it. We don’t just visit the ocean—we share it. 💙 #InternationalScubaDay #SeaOtterSavvy

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Part 2 from Morro Bay is here! 🦦🌊🪨 This week, Intern Insights with Dia heads to the Get Into Your Sanctuary event in Cambria. From sea otter trivia and inspiring volunteers to Newt stealing the show 🐶, it was a perfect reminder that conservation starts with connection.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

🦦 Shhh… you’re watching a sea otter nursery. Our signs help visitors give moms and pups the space they need to rest and thrive. A $50 donation sponsors one sign and helps protect thousands of peaceful moments. 💙 Link below or scan the QR code! #RespectTheNap

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Weekend challenge: Can you spot all 4 paws? 🐾🐾 Mama sea otters keep their pups close with a tight grip. Can you tell which paws belong to mom and which belong to her pup? Sea otters are the only marine mammals with front paws and rear flippers. 📷 Sea Otter Savvy #SeaOtter #Paws

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Proof that sea otters don’t all read the same memo. 🦦 One is going with the flow. The other is foraging against the current. Whether resting or foraging, #seaotters need uninterrupted time to meet their daily energy needs. The kindest thing we can do is admire them from a respectful distance.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Monday Intern Insights with Dia! 🦦 I loved sharing Sea Otter Savvy at Shared Adventures’ Day at the Beach, where adaptive recreation opens the ocean to more people. The best beach days are ones that inspire both connection to nature and care for wildlife. 💙

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Tune in for 3 minutes of sea otter sunset ASMR. Practice your noticing skills: is this a male or female sea otter? What do you think they’re eating? Can you spot the neat pocket trick? What other wildlife do you hear. Quiet observation in nature is a recipe for joy. 🤫

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Two of these three would appreciate a hug. One will bite your face off. I recommend choosing wisely. DYK that Heather and Gena (on the right ☺️) make up Sea Otter Savvy’s entire staff? With the help of more than 2 dozen volunteers, these two sea otter biologists are getting it done. #womeninstem

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Happy Monday! 🦦 Intern Insights with Dia is back! This week we’re exploring Elkhorn Slough, one of California’s richest estuaries. Home to sea otters, seals, birds, sharks, and more, it also helps filter water, store carbon, and protect wildlife. Be a courteous guest if you visit! 💙 #ElkhornSlough

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

10 yrs ago today, beloved Moss Landing sea otter Mr. Enchilada was struck and killed by a car while crossing the road. His loss led to the sea otter crossing signs, speed humps, and lower speed limits that help protect wildlife today. This holiday weekend, please slow down and watch for wildlife.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

When you wake up, assess the situation… and decide it can wait. 😴 The best gift you can give a resting sea otter is space. Keep your distance so the nap can continue to be this good. #respectthenap #seaottersavvy #naps #seaotters #thoughtfulthursday

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

It’s Monday, which means Intern Insights with Dia! Today we’re taking a break from sea otters to appreciate Western gulls. We’ve loved watching this family raise three chicks outside our office. Smart, devoted parents, gulls help keep coastal ecosystems healthy. 💙 #SeaBirds

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

No music. No voiceover. Just nature. A morning at Elkhorn Slough: paddles, birds, wind, and quiet moments with sea otters. Even our office has a chorus! 💙 Be Sea Otter Savvy. Respect the nap.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

After visiting a 2nd grade classroom, we received this sweet note and drawing from Abigail: “Thank you Sea Otter Savvy. I loved your presentation and I want to work there when I grow up.” Thank you, Abigail, for making our day. We hope we’ll see you out there helping sea otters someday. 🦦

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

New science: Quantifying Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) Reactions to a Quadcopter Drone in Central CA co-authored by scientists from the CDFW, USGS, USFWS, Stanford University, and Sea Otter Savvy Director Gena Bentall. Read the science: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Quantifying Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) Reactions to a Quadcopter Drone in Central California

Drones are useful for wildlife research and management, but they can cause disturbance and harassment to wildlife. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are candidates for drone-based observation and monitorin...

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Sir David Attenborough turns 100 today. For decades, his storytelling has helped people fall in love with wildlife they might never see in person, and that love is what drives protection. Thank you, Sir David, for being Sea Otter Savvy! youtu.be/jgwjJQ8PmsA?...

youtu.be

Our Planet | Otters | Clip | Netflix

YouTube video by Netflix

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

#EveryOtterCounts! The Southern Sea Otter Rangewide Census is an annual survey conducted in May to estimate the population size and distribution of southern sea otters along the California coast. Follow us to learn from our field team this week during the #seaottercensus ❤️🦦

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Kelp canopy = built-in anchor 🌿 No drifting, no constant paddling (and NO paw holding)—just sea otters staying put with a little kelp from their fronds. Same bay, totally different experience. 🦦

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

What the drift?! When otters have eelgrass or kelp canopy, they can wrap up and stay put-- a bit like hitting the pause button for nap time. But what about a high tide without that natural anchor at the surface? This raft is fully in drift and adjust mode. Time lapse by Sea Otter Savvy

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Something’s off in this scene… can you spot it? 👀 Take a close look and see if you can identify 3 potential disturbance risks for sea otters. Remember: not all disturbance is obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle—a shift in distance, noise, or positioning that changes how wildlife behaves. 🧵👇

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

#StewardshipSaturday Every summer, @noaa.gov Sanctuary’s Team OCEAN volunteers are on the water at Elkhorn Slough and Cannery Row, connecting with kayakers and other ocean lovers while helping keep wildlife safe. Sea Otter Savvy is proud to support their work with sea otter training each spring.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

The storm has passed and the sun is back. ☀️ After a busy weekend along the coast, this sea otter is glowing in the sunlight and doing what sea otters do best—resting. A good Monday reminder to slow down and #respectthenap. 🦦

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Are sand dollars yummy? 🤨 Sea otters think so! 🦦 These flat cousins of the urchin may look unappetizing but they have an energy-packed center. Otter spotter tip: It takes a lot to make a meal, so look for “purple cookies” on the 🦦belly. This #TastyTuesday is respectfully taken by @seaotterchannel 👏

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

BREAKING (kind of): a giant sea otter has been spotted cruising past the Santa Cruz Boardwalk! Experts are calling it Enhydriodon… locals are calling it “who ate all the clam chowder?” Savvy tip: even when they’re 20x normal size, give wildlife space—and maybe keep a firm grip on your snacks.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Full house, full hearts. Wrapping up the 2026 Southern Sea Otter Research Update Meeting (SSORUM) in Santa Cruz with an incredible community dedicated not just to the conservation of the southern sea otter but the recovery of vibrant, biodiverse, and resilient coastal ecosystems. 🙏❤️🦦

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Reposted by @seaottersavvy.bsky.social

wordscryer @wordscryer.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

3rd photo is my expression whenever I see people getting too close to sea otters (or any wildlife)

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

👀 Do you see it now? People often get closer than they realize. What looks “calm” to us can actually be a sea otter on alert. Sea otters don’t actually need angry cartoon eyes to tell us how they feel; we just need to pay better attention. Observe. Don’t disturb. 🦦 #RespectTheNap #SeaOtterSavvy

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Fishing gear can become a serious hazard for wildlife. This sea otter pup in Morro Bay was found entangled in a hook and lure rig—but thanks to a skilled rescue by CDFW, she was safely freed and returned to her mom. Fish with care. Pack out all gear. Pick up stray line. Report entanglements

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Tickets Available Now! Join us to celebrate 10 years at Humble Sea Brewing in Santa Cruz on May 31st! Grab your tickets today for an epic Savvy event with special guest speakers, an auction and raffle, and of course some sea otter cake! Get your tickets today: www.seaottersavvy.org/our-program/...

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

This is your sign to stop scrolling, stay a moment, & enjoy this sea otter mom & dreaming pup. #mondaymood This is the 'nursery zone' at Morro Bay. When you are calm and quiet, you can observe serene moments of wild sea otters like this one. #respectthenap Follow us and Stay Savvy #seaottersavvy

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

#SlowSaturday Sea otter moms are masters at stealthy maneuvers that avoid waking their napping pups. This mom quietly uses her hind flippers and tail in a move called sculling when her proximity to the crowd becomes uncomfortable. 🤫 Shhhhh. Sea otter nursery zone.

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seaottersavvy.bsky.social @seaottersavvy.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Congrats to our new Certified Active Wildlife Steward, @saltnoelle.bsky.social ! Founder Alexis Galasso leads with a clear “Admire from Afar” ethic, pairing coastal wildlife imagery with transparent, low-impact practices and engaging storytelling. 🧵👇

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