World Otter Day is celebrated every year on the last Wednesday of May. This day was founded by the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF). In 2009, it started as Otterly Mad Week and became International Otter Awareness Day in 2014. In 2016 the annual event evolved into World Otter Day. World Otter Day is observed to raise awareness about otters and their protection.
World Otter Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
Interesting Facts About Otters
- Otters are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
- These mammals have the densest fur of any animal, with as many as a million hairs per square inch in places.
- While most species live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands; the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean.
- Their webbed feet and powerful tails act like rudders in the water making them strong swimmers.
- There are 13 species of this weasel, the smallest species small-clawed otter weighs 3kg, while the largest species giant otter weighs 45 kg.
- When they are in the water, their nostrils and ears close to keep water out.
- Their fur is waterproof and keeps them warm in cold water.
- While most otter species come ashore to give birth, sea otters are an exception, giving birth in water.
- When it is time to nap, sea otters entangle themselves in kelp or sometimes intertwine their feet with other sea otters so they don’t float away.
- Did you know that all otters are expert hunters that eat fish, crustaceans, and other critters?
- To open shellfish, sea otters float on their back and place a rock on their chest, then smash the mollusk down on it until it breaks open.
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