Sea otters have a secret to staying close—they hold hands while they sleep! These adorable marine mammals, found along the Pacific coast of North America, often float on their backs in groups called rafts. To keep from drifting apart in the ocean currents, they wrap their paws around each other, forming a furry chain. It’s not just cute—it’s a survival trick to stay safe and keep their group together.
Sea otters also wrap themselves in kelp, a type of seaweed, to anchor themselves while they nap. This keeps them from floating away while they’re snoozing, often with their favorite rock tucked under their arm. Why the rock? They use it to crack open clams for dinner, banging the shells against the rock like a hammer. Sea otters are one of the few animals that use tools, and they’ll carry their favorite rock with them for years, storing it in a pouch under their armpit when they’re not using it.
A raft of otters can have anywhere from a few to hundreds of members, and they’re usually all females with their pups or all males. Holding hands helps moms keep their babies close, especially in rough waters. Sea otters need to eat about 25% of their body weight daily—mostly clams, crabs, and sea urchins—so they spend a lot of time foraging, but they always come back to their raft for a snuggle. So next time you see a picture of otters holding hands, know it’s not just for the photo op—it’s how they stick together in the big, wide ocean. Share this heartwarming fact with your friends and dive back for more ocean wonders!
Leave a Reply