are otters normally found in salt water areas?ie tidal creeks or inlets?

Answer 1

Depends on what you mean by 'normally'.

The sea otter (Enhydra lutra) and the marine otter (Lontra felina) are found exclusively in salt water areas.

The sea otter is found down the west coast of the United States and Canada, from Alaska to California, and formerly from northern Japan and the Pacific coast of Russia/Kamchatka. They are an endangered species though, and you would not 'normally' see one on a trip to the beach.

The marine otter (Lontra felina) is found along the Pacific coast of South America, from Peru to the tip of the continent. It is also endangered, killed to make footwear and sometimes illegally captured as pets. So seeing one there would also not be a 'normal' occurrence.

The other eleven or so species of otters in the world inhabit freshwater systems, usually rivers and lakes. It would definitely not be 'normal' to see one of these otters in a salt water area at all.

Answer 2

Taking a wild guess at your question. I lived in coastal California a long time you can find Sea Otters, in Brackish inlets, but they tend to stick closer to Kelp forests.

When I watched them (Me Fishing ) they prefer to hang near Kelp beds, water is calm. Good protection for them. Besides their food source hangs around there to. Its getting tougher seeing Otters, not as many as there was when I was a kid.

Answer 3

It would appear so, but only for Sea Otters, as River Otters prefer fresh water.