Otterly Adorable

• Otters are known for their playful behavior, often sliding down mud banks and juggling pebbles in their paws.

• Sea otters hold hands while sleeping on their backs, forming "rafts" to prevent drifting apart.

• They are one of the few animals that use tools, like rocks, to break open hard shells.

• Otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom, with up to one million hair follicles per square inch.

• River otters can hold their breath for about 8 minutes underwater, while sea otters can manage around 5 minutes.

• Mother otters wrap their pups in kelp to keep them from floating away while they hunt for food.

• Otters use scent glands near the base of their tails to communicate and mark their territory.

• Their webbed feet and ability to close their ears and nostrils make them excellent swimmers.

• River otters sometimes herd fish into shallow water to catch them.

• Sea otters help maintain kelp forest ecosystems by eating sea urchins that would otherwise overgraze the kelp.

Meet the Three Loyal Otters

Pelleas, Percival, and their sister Pellinore had been together since they were pups. Every day they would hunt for fish and play together. But when the river changes, Pelleas and Percival must set on the journey to find the source of the pollution. Will they be able to fix the river and save their sister? These story teachers kids about the strength of family bonds and the importance of preserving natural habitats.

Pelleas, Percival, and Pellinore are North American river otters. These semi-aquatic mammals are found across a variety of freshwater and coastal habitats, such as rivers, lakes, marshes, and estuaries. These playful and agile creatures are excellent swimmers, equipped with webbed feet, a streamlined body, and the ability to close their ears and nostrils underwater. River otters are skilled predators that feed on a diverse diet, including fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. They play a crucial role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems by controlling prey populations and promoting biodiversity. As an indicator species, the presence of river otters often signifies a well-balanced, clean water habitat, while their absence can highlight environmental issues such as pollution or habitat degradation.

Skilled Swimmers

Otters are highly skilled swimmers, thanks to their sleek, streamlined bodies, powerful tails, and webbed feet, which make them agile and efficient in the water. Their fur is specially adapted to keep them warm, with two layers: a dense undercoat that traps air and an outer layer that repels water. This unique fur design keeps them insulated in cold environments. Otters also have the ability to close their ears and nostrils when diving, which helps them move smoothly underwater. Their strong muscles and ability to twist and turn with ease allow them to pursue and capture prey, like fish or crustaceans, in swift, complex maneuvers. When hunting, river otters use their sharp teeth to grasp slippery fish and can often catch prey by working collaboratively, herding fish into shallow waters for easier capture.

Some otters, like sea otters, spend almost their entire lives in marine environments, adapting perfectly to life in the ocean. Sea otters can dive up to 250 feet to forage for food like sea urchins, crabs, and mollusks, and they are known for using tools, like rocks, to crack open hard shells. They have an impressive lung capacity and can hold their breath underwater for about 5 minutes while foraging. Unlike river otters, sea otters float on their backs when resting and sleeping, often using kelp to anchor themselves and avoid drifting away.