Every year, on the last Wednesday of May (29th
of May this year), the world comes together to celebrate a unique and playful
creature – the otter. World Otter Day is a global event dedicated to
raising awareness about these fascinating animals, their habitats, and the
threats they face. It’s a day to learn, share, and contribute to the
conservation of otters, a species that brings joy to many and plays a crucial role
in our ecosystem.
Beautiful, sleek and playful, otters are a joy to watch as
they twist and dive in the water but sadly otter species are at risk worldwide.
Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 otter species
are all semiaquatic, aquatic, or marine. 12 of these species are decreasing; 7
of these are classed as vulnerable and 5 are endangered.
Otters are playful animals that
exhibit a varied life cycle and can live up to 16 years. Their diet mainly
consists of fish and sometimes frogs, birds, or shellfish, depending on the
species. Otters are distinguished by their long, slim bodies, powerful webbed
feet for swimming, and their dense fur, which keeps them warm and buoyant in water.
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