Otters

A gorgeous photo I snapped of one of the otters at The National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra, Australia. These guys are an absolute delight to photograph!

The Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) is an oceanic species of otter and the largest of aquatic mustelids. Along with the marine otter (Lontra felina), they are the smallest marine mammals and the only marine mustelids. Sea otters are considered a keystone species throughout most of their range because they keep kelp forests in check from too many sea urchins and clams. Sea otter also have the densest coat of any animal. This coat traps in air bubbles, so their coat keeps their skin dry even diving…

otters face many challenges because their unique history, biology, and nearshore habitat place them in close proximity to, and often in adverse interactions with, humans.

Who doesn’t love watching baby sea otters holding hands, playing, and using each other’s tummies as rafts? Sea otters, which live in northern coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean, are iconically adorable animals, their charm makes them great mascots for environmental protection efforts, and their importance to their local ecosystems cannot be understated.

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Via uso_otter

Otters are terrible pets, but they're still cute as heck, so big props to the wildlife rehabilitation facilities, sanctuaries, and zoos who make this list possible!