Otters are
fascinating and playful creatures. Here are 50 fun facts about otters:
General Otter Facts
1.
There are 13
species of otters worldwide.
2.
Otters belong to
the mustelid family, which includes weasels, badgers, and
wolverines.
3.
Otters are found
on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
4.
Otters have webbed
feet, perfect for swimming.
5.
Their dense
fur is the thickest of any animal—up to 1 million hairs per
square inch.
Smart & Social
6.
Otters are
extremely intelligent and use tools to hunt and eat.
7.
Sea otters often
use rocks to crack open shellfish.
8.
Otters are known
to hold hands while sleeping to stay together.
9.
Groups of otters
are called a “raft” when on water.
10.
On land, a group of
otters is called a “romp”.
Physical Traits
11.
Otters have long,
streamlined bodies to help them swim fast.
12.
Their tails are
muscular and aid in steering underwater.
13.
Otters can close
their ears and nostrils underwater.
14.
They have excellent
vision both above and below water.
15.
Otters use
their whiskers to detect prey in murky water.
Sea Otter Specifics
16.
Sea otters rarely
come ashore.
17.
They wrap
themselves in kelp to avoid drifting while asleep.
18.
Sea otters
often float on their backs to eat.
19.
A group of sea
otters can include up to 100 individuals!
20.
They store favorite
tools in loose skin folds under their arms.
Family Life
21.
Baby otters are
called pups.
22.
Otter mothers are
incredibly protective and attentive.
23.
Sea otter pups are
so fluffy they can’t dive at first.
24.
River otters teach
pups to swim by nudging or dragging them into water.
25.
Some otters
even babysit pups while others hunt.
Diet & Hunting
26.
Otters eat fish,
crabs, clams, and even frogs or small mammals.
27.
They are carnivores and
often hunt multiple times a day.
28.
Otters can dive up
to 300 feet deep (in the case of sea otters).
29.
They can hold
their breath for 5–8 minutes underwater.
30.
Otters use play to
practice hunting skills.
Habitat & Range
31.
River otters live
in freshwater like lakes, rivers, and marshes.
32.
Sea otters live
in coastal marine environments.
33.
Some species, like
the giant otter, live in the Amazon basin.
34.
Otters create dens called
“holts,” often using old beaver lodges.
35.
They prefer clean,
unpolluted water.
Survival & Conservation
36.
Sea otters were
once hunted nearly to extinction for their fur.
37.
Thanks to
conservation efforts, their populations are rebounding.
38.
Otters are protected
by law in many countries.
39.
Pollution and
habitat loss remain serious threats.
40.
Otters help
control invasive species by eating certain fish.
Weird & Wonderful
41.
Otters love
to slide down muddy or snowy hills for fun.
42.
They can make chattering,
chirping, and even screaming sounds.
43.
Otters have been
seen using play behavior without any purpose other than fun.
44.
Some otters
make “snowballs” and juggle rocks just for amusement.
45.
In some cultures,
otters are symbols of playfulness and mischief.
Heroic Otters
46.
Otters are
considered keystone species—vital for ecosystem health.
47.
Sea otters protect
kelp forests by eating sea urchins, which would otherwise destroy
them.
48.
In mythology and
folklore, otters are often depicted as wise and helpful animals.
49.
Some indigenous
tribes consider the otter a spirit animal of joy and
curiosity.
50.
There are otter
sanctuaries and rescue centers all over the world to help rehabilitate
injured or orphaned otters
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