Illustration by Zuza Misko
Five ways these water-going mammals have captured everyone’s hearts
1 They hold hands. Sea otter families hold hands while they sleep so that they don’t float away from each other. This is known as a ‘raft’ of otters.
2 They juggle rocks in their paws. Scientists don’t know precisely why, but think it’s probably to do with boredom or play.
3 They balance their babies on their tummies. Female sea otters carry their young on their furry bellies for at least the first month of life. As well as keeping them warm and safe from predators, it’s thought to also strengthen the bond between mother and baby.
4 They build playgrounds to play in. River otters will build slides on the muddy riverbanks, just for the pleasure of whizzing down them.
5 They have pockets. Ever laughed at the phrase ‘damper than an otter’s pocket’? They really do have pockets! What’s more, they keep very important things in there. Otters are among the few animals that use tools (usually rocks to use as hammers to open shellfish) and they keep their tools in a loose patch of skin under their armpits.
If you’re lucky to live near somewhere otters appear, the best time to watch them is at dawn or dusk. The Wildlife Trust suggests looking out for pawprints or slipways in muddy or sandy banks as well as droppings under rocks and bridges, and keeping an eye out in reed beds where otters often hunt. A trail of bubbles in the water may indicate that an otter has spotted you first and dived to remain hidden. Another telltale sign is a group of ducks suddenly changing direction or looking nervously behind them!
If you’d like to find out more about otters, you’re in luck! They are our June issue’s ‘Magical Creature’! Read more on page 17.
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