Ten fun facts about Otters

1. Male otters help raise young

Male otters, or meowters, are the dominant gender in the species, while the females are known as queens and the young are referred to as pups. The pups are born blind and helpless, and rely on their mothers for protection and nourishment. Queens are highly protective of their pups, and will fiercely defend them from any perceived threats. Male meowters are also known to help with the rearing of the pups, providing food and protection for the family.

Also → Sea Lions are playful and intelligent marine mammals

2. Semi-aquatic mammals with a playful nature

Otters are semi-aquatic mammals, with the exception of the sea otter which spends most of its time in the water. The majority of otters, however, prefer to live on land, typically in areas with warm water and sandy terrain. They are well adapted to their environment, with webbed feet and a thick, waterproof fur coat that helps them to swim and stay warm. Otters are also known for their playful nature, often seen sliding down muddy banks and playing with rocks and sticks.

Also → Wolves Have a Litter Size of 4 to 7 Pups

3. Otters are some of the smartest creatures on the planet

Otters are widely regarded as some of the most intelligent creatures on the planet. They possess an impressive array of cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, tool use, and communication. Studies have shown that they can remember solutions to problems for up to four weeks, and they are capable of using tools to help them find food. They also have a complex social structure, with each otter having its own distinct personality. This intelligence has enabled them to adapt to a wide range of habitats, from rivers and lakes to coastal areas.

Also → Foxes: Winter's Most Adorable Creatures

4. Smart Tool-Using Creatures

Otters are incredibly intelligent creatures, capable of using tools just like monkeys, beavers and apes. They use rocks to crack open the shells of marine fish, invertebrates such as abalone, crabs, urchins and sea stars, in order to get to the delicious flesh inside. This remarkable ability to use tools to access food is a testament to the intelligence of these amazing animals.

Also → "Platypus: Unusual Mammal of Streams & Lakes"

5. Years of Joyful Companionship

Otters are known for their playful and curious nature, and they can bring joy to their owners for many years. In the wild, the average life span of an otter is 12 years, but in captivity, they can live up to 24 years. This means that if you are lucky enough to have an otter as a pet, you can expect to have many years of fun and companionship with them.

Also → Female Stingrays Are Prolific Breeders

6. The Adorable and Lovable Otters

Otters are some of the most adorable and beloved marine mammals in the world, and they are also the smallest. These playful creatures can be found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats, and they are known for their intelligence, agility, and social behavior. Otters have long, slim bodies and short legs, and they can weigh anywhere from 11 to 86 pounds. They have webbed feet and a thick, waterproof fur that helps them stay warm and dry in the water. Otters are also incredibly fast swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 6 miles per hour.

Also → Water Rats: Adapted to their environment

7. 40% of an otter's body length is its tail

Otters have tails that are an impressive 12" long, making up a whopping 40% of their body length. These tails are not only used to help them steer through the water, but also as a form of protection. With their tails, they can quickly maneuver away from predators and other dangers.

Also → Emus: The Incredible Bird That Can Swim and Cross Rivers

8. Female otters are incredibly nurturing mothers

Female otters are incredibly nurturing mothers, often giving birth to two to four pups at a time. After birth, the mother will nurse her pups for up to eight weeks, teaching them the skills they need to survive in the wild. During this time, the mother will also teach her pups how to swim and hunt for food. After the pups are weaned, they will stay with their mother for up to a year before venturing out on their own.

Also → Ferrets: A Pet That Requires Regular Grooming and Veterinary Care

9. The Thickest Fur on Earth: Otters

Otters are unique among marine mammals in that they don't have blubber to insulate their bodies from the cold. Instead, they rely on their incredibly thick fur to keep them warm. This fur is the thickest of any animal, providing otters with superior protection from the elements.

Also → Alligators are incredibly fast creatures

10. Otters are incredible swimmers

Otters are incredibly adept swimmers, capable of diving up to an astonishing 250 feet in search of food. They can remain underwater for up to 4 minutes, making them some of the deepest diving mammals in the world. Their streamlined bodies and webbed feet make them perfectly adapted to life in the water, allowing them to swim with ease and agility.

Also → Dingos: The Dominant Female Kills Any Pups Born to Other Females