Think sea otters are just about whiskers and floating naps? There's more going on behind those button eyes. Every year, Sea Otter Awareness Week highlights their role in maintaining coastal ecosystems. Launched in 2003 by Defenders of Wildlife—an American nonprofit conservation organisation—this week promotes education and action. In Prince William Sound, in Alaska, United States, sea otters drift on ice or crack shellfish on their bellies using their favourite rock, as seen in today's image. Less visible is how their appetite for sea urchins helps protect kelp forests.

Often seen floating in 'rafts,' holding paws to stay connected, they appear serene—but their history tells a different story. Hunted extensively for their dense fur from 1741 to 1911, sea otters were pushed to the brink of extinction before rebounding through conservation. Still, dangers remain. Oil spills, fishing gear, disease and warming oceans continue to threaten their survival. Otters rely on clean, cold water. Their fur isn't waterproof—it traps air for warmth, and any oil contamination can be fatal. This week serves as a call to notice them—and to protect the waters they call home.