The otter is clearly not threatened or upset. As with the vast amount of animals in our world most will warn you if you are upsetting them or scaring them, this otter clearly was being mischievous and playful. He turned away from them many times, laid there and never hissed in anger or latched onto the lady.
Overlord Gaming They are however in the same family. Otters are members of the Mustelid family which includes badgers, polecats, martens, weasels, stoats and minks. Weasels being another name for both ferrets and ermine.
I live in SW FL, we had a 70 year old man attacked and almost killed by otters, I hate to laugh but that is what they do they lore you in with their cuteness and BAM.
+whatdoesittake Otters do. www.arkive.org/north-american-otter/lontra-canadensis/video-11.html Watch an otter fight off 3 wolves and tell me again how they wont roll over? It's the only way they can kick out
Anyone who's had ferrets will easily recognize this otter's behavior, from the bouncy "war dance" to the insatiable inquisitiveness; since otters are fellow members of the weasel family that's not surprising. I noticed the woman get nervous when the otter apparently nipped her; it's VERY important to understand that this is play behavior and not aggression. I've seen people panic or react badly when a ferret surprised them by nipping them, which is actually an invitation to play; they love to roughhouse and are great fun (with certain caveats, such as having them around young children or other strangers who might accidentally hurt them with a sudden reaction). HOWEVER, as much as I admit I would love to see an otter up this close and be able to interact with it, you need to remember that A) this is still a wild animal and B) its bite is FAR stronger than a ferret's (they're able to penetrate steel-toed boots). In short, the lady did well not to panic or lash out in an involuntary reaction when this otter nipped at her, but even though it was clearly just playing the situation was potentially still dangerous. And when accidents or tragedies occur, the animal almost always ends up on the worse end of the bargain, often due to people being ignorant or careless.
Oh my god that is AWESOME! He's doing the Weasel War Dance! This is an invitation to play that ferrets, polecats, weasels and stoats all use, sometimes as a hunting trick but usually to play or to just to show they are happy. I know that Otters are mustelid cousins to the above, but I've never seen them do the dance. Even if he did bite you, it was in play. Wild mustelids don't know to bite humans softer when playing with them so it was good you didn't go trying to tickle him or anything. He wouldn't mean to hurt you, but could take a finger or two by accident. I bet he has been fed by/played with other humans before. But what a cool experience, glad you got to film that!
Nobody takes off a finger "by accident"... if that animal would bite so strong to rip through bone and take off a finger, you can be certain it's not play.
Thank you for being kind, sensible and calm with him. I am sure he wanted to play. You are good people for recognising this and not forgetting that he is wild. And so cute!
Too bad she didn't have some fish to give him. Only thing that worries me is that he lives so close to the highway, I hope that he doesn't go out there and get hit by a car.
He actually looks more like he's doing a Ferret/Weasel War Dance. He's hopping and "attacking" to play and draw them in to chasing him. VERY ferret like. He's just bigger and bulkier, that's what makes him look a little "doggish".
They are adorable but my veterinarian warned me that they can go from cute to tearing your fingers off in an instant. Love, respect and beware the wild
Dear lady in the video I think your laugh may have been even cuter than the otter. And thats coming from an avid otter lover. Hope you have had many more lovely walks.
otters ferrets badgers skunks weasels they're all related and do the same stuff. I have two ferrets and this is how they play. He couldn't deny his curiosity then got excited. but unless they're trained they bite hard when they play cause they have rougher skin its just how theyre used to communicating. hes fucking cute. awesome.
Can you tell the gender of the otter? Might have been female since the gal in the video said s/he was biting, might be protecting her nest or potential nesting grounds...
I wouldn't worry unless it broke skin, and given how strong their bite is if the otter was under the effects of rabies then this video would have ended with blood and stitches.
Wild Otters and Ferrets are known to be instinctively curiously playful with Humans and domesticated pets. They don't have to have been someone's pet or have been routinely fed by Humans to wanna play; it is in their nature. They are playful, yet wild, so they might accidentally use to much teeth in their play-biting, only because they haven't had time to learn how to play gently like dogs. They are much like rambunctious toddlers who haven't learned how to "play nice." Don't get me wrong, they are not all this cute. Some are super aggressive and territorial and absolutely will bite the shit outta you, but if they come up to you and want to play, it's because they just want some genuine Human interaction playtime. Always be careful. But super adorable.
I gotta agree that if this otter were trying to drive the people away, he would've been successful. Yes, otters are related to ferrets... but they're also related to wolverines and badgers. They're tremendously strong for their size.
When I was about Ten years old, I was in Grand Marais Minnesota with my family. I threw a fit because I didn't want any of the food at a fancy restaurant my mom brought our family too, so she kicked me out of the restaurant to fend for myself for a couple hours! The restaurant was located next to a dock on Lake Superior, I was feeling bad about my situation cursing my mom while I was walking up and down the dock. All of a sudden, a river otter came out of nowhere and hung out with me the whole time my family was eating in the restaurant. It's almost like he was trying to cheer me up! I'll never forget my little furry buddy as long as I live.
What an adorable little creature the only worry is that not all humans are nice like you guys and if he comes in to contact with them it could potentially lead to the injury or even more distressing the death of this beautiful and playful little creature .
thats not aggressive or fearful behavior, thats play. an aggressive or scared animal does not turn its back on you or run back and forth to you. they either bolt and keep running to escape or do not stop watching you and try to scare you off by making an angry noise, fake charging or biting and backing off. this otter has most likely been fed by several people that saw it on the road and lost its natural fear of humans.
+IamtheKGB I think it was more curious than calm(from how you imply by saying "lost its natural fear of humans). though ido think you're right. though again lots of animals act differently. from how you say it, it sounds more like household dogs, cats and wild wolves.
Exactly! No wild aggressively dominant animal would ever run up and around you and then roll on it's back for you! We animal specialists refer to that as "Playful Submission." It is the opposite of threatening.
Otters are mustelids, and this is how they play. They play bite as well.. However an otter play bite and a ferret play bite are probably two different ball games. He's being a goof, like others said he'd never show his stomach and he'd hiss and back up straight if he felt threatened.
kylezaking You mean those sea otters? that are twice the size of that little fella? Yes they do. This little guy probably just eats fish, mice and rabbits.
I saw a video once of an otter in Brazil wanting to play with somebody, but this one was a Brazilian Giant around 6ft long, 150lbs! It jumped right up on the guy trying to film it and wanted to wrassle, but it "pulled it's punches" and didn't bite hard at all. Cute as hell. And yes, as a former ferret owner I can confirm this is "let's play!" body language, which the giant in Brazil also showed...esp. that sideways "boinging" movement...classic "weasel wardance".
Na bro I once caught one that was 200 pounds and nearly 8 feet long. I caught him with a number 4 steel trap. I took him home and fixed his broken arm. We became friends and I taught him to play the bagpipes and a few basic words in English.
Magnificent job at missing the point, applause. BTW Since you seem to be prone to missing the obvious, the Caps lock key is on the left side of your keyboard. Maybe turning it off would make you sound like less of a tool.
I don’t know otters well but I have grown up in the woods around wild animals. Looks to be curious and happy. A scared wild animal acts much differently. what a cool experience!
"If you take a closer look at this video (which appears to feature a jaunty otter playing with some people), you'll realize that the otter is no ordinary otter - it is a scout otter, sent from the great Otterman Empire to ascertain the relative strength of human warriors. The report? Humans are trusting and weak - they shall be easy to conquer." Doug Barry jezebel.com/this-adorably-confused-otter-thinks-its-a-dog-1441727734
It looks like a juvenile. Otters in general can be very playful, I used to have some sneak in my pool during the summer and play with my dogs toys. It looks like he's trying to figure out who the big thing is in his territory. Seems just curious to me, if he felt threatened believe me, you'd know it
It's totally play. My ferrets did the same thing...it's called the weasel war dance. Makes me a little uneasy that he is that accustomed to people...and so close to the road.
everyone stop giving advise you are not a professional most likely what they choose to do is their business they are lucky enough to have played with a wild otter and just leave it at that and stop trying to critique the video
I was kinda bummed this morning...came here, watched this...now I feel better! cute animals make me feel good about the world...people generally make me feel bad about the world.....Oops, time to watch more cute animal videos!!! :)
before I even went in to the comments section I KNEW there would be people freaking out over this video....I was right >< For the road issue, I think that we human beings don't give enough credit to animals. Otters are not stupid and I doubt it will go onto the road....I can't say the same for porcupines though :| (But I think porcupines are smart in their own way, just not road safety)
Adorable! N its funny how ppl in the comments always think they kno it all "hes not playin hes protecting his turf" shut up! Otters are in the weasel family like ferrets,have u ever seen a ferret hunt? They do jump around and play to distract or confuse their prey,but they DONT show their belly! Their stomach is the most vulnerable thing to an animal,so buy rolling over and showing them his belly he probably actually trusts them. Go to RU-vid and watch videos on how otters hunt or protect their turf,u wont see this.
Yeah, I agree. And I don't think an otter in a defensive posture would be so easily distracted by things like... leaves... and sniffing cameras and polyester. Seems like he loses his focus every 5 seconds or so and then goes "Oh! People!"
I wonder do they realise that an otter has a bite powerful enough to take of a finger, just ask Terry Nutkins who lost one of his digits to a sea otter.
I guess you can't watch any animal video withouth someone commeting about the highway (in this case scenario) and how people are stupid blah blaaah..... Thanks for uploading and filming this video to the guy and lady :-)
Because an animal would never possibly go in to the road without people luring him there. Its not like you ever see dead animals in the road in the middle of nowhere.
Where I dive, we have pretty significant populations of both otters and harbor seals. The entire area is a wildlife sanctuary, where it's a (significant) criminal offense to pretty much deliberately interact with any marine mammal. That said, it's impossible not to passively interact with these awesome critters. Otter and seal pups are amazingly curious and playful... and definitely get that divers aren't a threat to them. I'll cross my arms and remain motionless underwater -- and they'll still be mesmerized by their own reflection in my mask... blow bubbles in my face... nibble on my fins... and generally behave like happy juveniles of any mammal species. Fantastic to see and experience. :-) Let them play, but don't pet or feed. They'll still have a blast. This is a pretty good example of just watching and enjoying.
What a cutie, Otters love playing...This one wants to play catch me... l can see it's a young one...l can to its lonely wonder where it's family is. 💓💓💓
AvntXardE Yeah, I would suggest maybe just running over their feet to tell them cars are dangerous. Maybe shooting them in the legs, or hitting them with other objects like how you're saying to. That will teach them! I'm glad people can't see sarcasm...
Yeah, except he appears to live in a stream RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROAD. Otters are very smart. I'm sure if he didn't know how to keep himself safe near the roadside, he'd be dead already.
I seen one here in Detroit; I was walking with this girl one night to the gas station, and we came across this weasel looking thing I thought it was a wolverine at first but now that I realize what I saw that night on August 24-29 one of them, it was a river otter!!
I am genuinely curious as to what made this otter act like this. Was there food behind the camera or is it actually tame or something because this is not how any wild animal acts around humans.
If it is an adult I would suspect it was trying to distract these people away from babies or its home. It looks like play but it wasn't play I would bet on it.
I'm quite curious also. Probably fed in the past. Maybe it had pups in the drainage element, since it markedly checked that direction a couple of times.
I would've scared the otter away really. It's dangerous for the otter to not associate humans with danger. What happens when the same otter approaches a hunter?
Quite the contrary, they're pretty shy. This one was very clearly playing, if he was really being aggressive he would have bitten hard instead of those soft little play nips.
+Actingarrr Depends on what state you live in. Some states will allow you to keep a small wild animal as a pet as long as it gets its shots, while others will require you to get an "exotic pet license" for the animal you want to keep. And then of course, there's the states that won't allow you to own any undomesticated animals at all. You would have to check your local state's laws regarding exotic pets.
I don't think it was playing. I think it either thought you were threatening it, or it thinks you have some food/treats/kibble, perhaps both. I would think it was scary, actually. This is a WILD animal, not a domesticated animal.
