Amazing Facts – Otters Hold Hands While They Sleep – The Sweet Survival Trick Explained
Ever Wondered Why Otters Hold Hands While They Sleep? The Answer is Beautiful
If you’ve ever seen a photo of two otters floating on their backs while holding hands you may have said aww at least once in your life. But here’s the reality – that’s the only story there is. And it’s more than just a story.
The Secret of “Rafting”
ea otters essentially live in the ocean their whole life. They eat, groom themselves, rest, or even take naps while floating. But of course, the ocean’s waves and the currents don’t just stop. In fact, if the otter happens to be asleep alone, it can quite easily drift away from all the other otters.
It’s to stop this from happening that the otters “raft” or, as I prefer to call it, “hold hands.” Clasping paws allows otters to remain close in groups known as rafts, which is even the case with just a mother and her pup. In other cases, there may be dozens of otters who float simultaneously, all connected like a floating family.
More Than Just Cute Behaviour
To infant sea otters, rafting is a life-and-death issue. A mother otter sleeps with her pup close to her, for otherwise the little one may be carried off by the tide. For adults, though, to hold hands is not only for safety, but they do it to connect. Otters are friendly animals, and this is one of the ways they interact with one another.
It is not surprising why people’s response to this is so positive. We too hold hands for reassurance, whether it is a child with a parent or a pair of friendly walkers. Otters demonstrate that even animals in the wild value closeness.
A Species Worth Protecting
Along the Pacific coast, sea otters used to be abundant. However, their populations were decimated due to hunting and the loss of their habitat. Weighing the most in the entire animal kingdom, they were easy prey due to their incredibly dense fur. Although they are still endangered and in need of protection, some populations are recovering due to conservation efforts.
Final Thought
More than a viral photograph, the sight of otters clasping paws is a clever technique used for survival, social connectivity, and a reminder that life becomes easier when we are together. The next time you spot these furry ‘rafts’ bobbing about the ocean, it will be easier to comprehend that sometimes, the most meaning acts are the simplest.
