Otter
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The Fascinating World of Otters
Otters are highly intelligent, semiaquatic predators belonging to the weasel family. There are 13 distinct species found worldwide, thriving in freshwater rivers as well as coastal ocean environments.
Their bodies are perfectly adapted for life in the water. A streamlined shape, short legs, and webbed feet make them elite swimmers. Because they lack a warming layer of blubber, they rely on the densest fur in the animal kingdom to prevent freezing. Up to one million hairs per square inch trap a protective layer of air that keeps their skin completely dry.
Otters are famous for their playful behavior. They slide down muddy banks, and sea otters even hold hands while sleeping so their groups, called rafts, do not drift out to sea. As skilled hunters, they eat fish, crabs, and clams. Sea otters use rocks as tools to crack open hard shells on their chests. As a keystone species, they are highly vital for keeping global marine ecosystems perfectly balanced.
