Otters are playful and curious animals found in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

These aquatic mammals are known for their fun-loving personalities and impressive swimming abilities.

Here are some fun facts about otters that might surprise you!

1. Otter Species: Thirteen and Counting!

Did you know that otters are more diverse than you might think? There are thirteen species of otters across the globe! In the United States, we have two main types: the sea otter and the North American river otter.

2. Otters' Wild Relatives

Otters belong to the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, skunks, and wolverines. Among them, the sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family but remains the smallest marine mammal in North America. Despite their small size, otters are a powerhouse of cuteness and strength!

3. Alaska: The Otter Kingdom

If you're hoping to spot a sea otter in the wild, Alaska is the place to be. About 90% of the world's sea otters live here, often found in protected waters surrounding national parks like Glacier Bay and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Meanwhile, southern sea otters can be spotted along the California coast.

4. Legal Protection for Sea Otters

Sea otters were once hunted to near extinction for their fur. Thankfully, laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act have been put in place to protect these adorable creatures. Conservation efforts continue, and their numbers are slowly increasing.

5. Sea Otters and Their Hungry Appetites

Sea otters are some serious eaters, consuming 25% of their body weight in food daily! Their diet includes sea urchins, and clams. To smash open hard-shelled prey, sea otters use rocks as tools, making them one of the few mammals known to use tools in the wild.

6. Fur: A Sea Otter's Secret to Staying Warm

If you've ever admired a sea otter's beautiful fur, you're not alone. Sea otters have the thickest fur of any animal—between 600,000 and 1,000,000 hair follicles per square inch! They lack a blubber layer like other marine mammals, so they rely on their dense fur to stay warm, often spending a lot of time grooming.

7. Sea Otter Pups: Adorable and Demanding

Sea otter pups are some of the cutest creatures around! They are born year-round, though pups in Alaska are typically born in spring. These little guys stay with their mothers for up to six months while learning essential survival skills.

8. Incredible Breath Holders

Sea otters have impressive lung capacities, capable of staying submerged for more than five minutes at a time! Their ability to hold their breath far surpasses that of most land mammals. River otters, on the other hand, can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes, helping them forage efficiently underwater.

9. Sea Otters: Essential to Our Ecosystem

Did you know sea otters are a keystone species? They help regulate the sea urchin population, which in turn helps protect kelp forests from being overgrazed. Their presence in certain regions has contributed to a more diverse ecosystem, showcasing their vital role in the marine food chain.

10. Otters Use Tools to Get Food

Sea otters are one of the few mammals that use tools! They often use rocks to smash open shellfish, and they have a special patch of skin under their armpit to store both food and tools. This fascinating behavior makes otters stand out in the animal kingdom.

11. Rafts of Otters: Floating Together for Safety

A group of otters is called a raft, and these adorable creatures often float together in large groups. They even wrap themselves in seaweed to keep from drifting apart while resting.

12. Otters Are Wild, Not Cuddly

Although otters might look soft and cuddly, they are still wild animals with sharp teeth and a powerful bite. It's important to maintain a safe distance—at least 60 feet—when observing these incredible creatures in the wild.

We hope you're now even more in love with otters after learning these amazing facts! Whether you're spotting them in the wild or reading about them from the comfort of your home, otters are truly fascinating creatures!

Otter Facts Cuter Than You Think

Video by Facts Net