Sea Otter

Southern Sea Otters, Enhydra lutris nereis, are an iconic charismatic species that inspire interest in environmental protection. As a keystone species, the otter’s ecosystem largely depends on them. Sea otters eat sea urchins, which graze on giant kelp. They also eat crabs, which reduces predation on snails. The snails graze on algae that would otherwise choke eel grass.

The sea otter in this painting has a serious expression to represent the serious role they play in the environment they live in. The otter is swimming because hunting sea urchins and crabs helps keep their environment in balance. The crab and sea urchin are represented in a pattern in the background behind the otter itself. The gold leaf represents the fragility and importance of the ecosystem.

Acrylic and Goldleaf on Watercolor Board

2019

Group show:

Santa Cruz Natural History Museum, Santa Cruz, CA