Sea Otters collect large hard-shelled abalones in their teeth during dives to the sea bottom, then each picks up a stone with its forepaws. Surfacing, the otters roll onto their backs, place the abalones on their bellies, and clasping a stone in both front feet, smash the shells open. Therefore, Sea Otters use these stones as hammers.



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Subject: Sea Otters

Main Idea: Sea Otters use stones as hammers to open the shells of abalones.

Supporting details:
- Sea Otters collect abalones in their teeth during dives
- They pick up stones with their front paws
- Otters roll onto their backs and place the abalones on their bellies
- They clasp a stone in both front feet to smash the shells open