Data from: Tool use increases mechanical foraging success and tooth health in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Although it is well documented that tool use can enable the utilization of
novel resources, the fitness benefits associated with this innovative
behavior are difficult to test. Using longitudinal data from 196
radio-tagged southern sea otters, we found that individuals, particularly
females, with frequent tool use gained access to harder, larger prey
items. In turn, the mechanical advantages of tool use during food
processing translated to reduced tooth damage in tool users. We also found
that tool use diminishes trade-offs between access to different prey
types, tooth health, and caloric intake that are highly dependent on the
relative availability of prey in the environment. Overall, tool use allows
individuals to maintain caloric requirements through the processing of
alternative prey that are otherwise inaccessible without the use of tools,
indicating that this innovative behavior is a necessity for the survival
of southern sea otters in environments with depleted preferred prey.