Today is World Otter Day, and the perfect way to celebrate is with this video sent in by reader Ed C. which reveals a startling fact: otters aren’t born swimmers. Their mothers have to patiently take them to swim school by dragging them around the water until the babies get the idea — which they rapidly do. Here’s Molalla, a baby otter at the Oregon Zoo, getting a lesson from mother Tilly.
Here’s more of this video with less talking and more ottering.
That was actually fascinating, actually.
Man, talk about tough love! Come on kid, ya coming with me whether you like it or not. But, but … I DON’T like the water!!! Gotta learn how to swim somehow so get in here!
So true, AJ, another tough love lesson. I know, even though animal mothers sometimes “seem cruel” to us, survival depends on it. Maybe some human mothers could take a lesson or two from animal mothers.
What part of cold, wet, and lack of air don’t you like?!
😂🤣. I mean really, what’s not to like??? I cracked up watching mom drag the otterette up, down, and over tree limbs. It’s the true meaning of being cruel to be kind ’cause the pups need that to survive and yes, Luv Bunny some human mothers could take lessons from the animal kingdom instead of trying to shield their kids from any perceived slight/danger/harm.
Watching first self paddling by baby was the best!
Otter side-eye killt me ded!
“I’m not a very strong swimmer.” So very sweet.
You! You! I know you! 🙂
Baby seemed to trust Mom. Of course Mom was brooking no opposition
there’s not a lot of snowplow moms in the animal kingdom apparently.