May 28 is World Otter Day, a day to celebrate the delightful otter.

The sea otter is a ‘keystone species’ and is indispensable for maintaining healthy kelp forests and seagrass beds. Most otter species live in freshwaters, rivers and lakes. Sea otters live primarily in the oceans.

Sea otters are very social with their own species but be sure to admire from a distance, as they can become aggressive if not left alone. There are exceptions. In Bangladesh, smooth coated otters work alongside fishermen. Trained otters chase fish in nets for fisheremen. When the day is done both hardworking fishermen and otters enjoy a fish dinner!

Why do otters love to play? Play helps otters hone their hunting skills, solidify their social bonds and help them mark territory. Otters are also highly intelligent.

You can learn about the otter through the International Otter Survival Fund, a charity in Scotland. IOSF rescues otters and educates about risks to otters including otter trade for pets, fueled by social media. Otters are not pets. Support IOSF