Otter Pups Swim Lesson
If youve spent any time watching the Zoos North American river otters or our Asian small-clawed otters, youve probably noticed that otters seem almost as home in the water as most fish. But, did you know that otters have to be taught how to swim? Otter pups arent born with any innate knowledge of how to swim or handle themselves in the water. And since otters depend on water to survive, mom has to teach her babies how to be as home in the water as they are on land. In March, Audrey, the Zoos North American river otter female, gave birth to three healthy male pups. At around 30 days old, the pups are strong enough to begin their swimming lessons although sometimes, theyre not the most enthusiastic students much like kids everywhere. But Audrey is a good mom and a patient, persistent teacher. She teaches each pup individually at first this allows her to focus her full attention on each pup and each lesson especially since its the first time the pups have been in the water. Audrey teaches the pups in stages making sure each pup is comfortable with one step before moving on to the next. Typically, Audrey eases her pup into the water, then teaches him to float. After floating comes swimming, and the pups learn how to maneuver and swim, skills that are vital to their survival as adults. Once the pup is confident as a swimmer, Audrey teaches him to dive and move underwater. Then, she teaches each pup how to dry off and stay warm after a dip in the pool. As anyone whos been …
OMG. This is adorable.
Does anyone know the name or artist of this song?
This is how I learned to swim… “Throw him in the deep end, he’ll have to learn!”
naaaw :3
All aquatic mammals that are born on land go through this, their mommas have to drag them in the water and teach them. Sadly, the otter mama is a better swim teacher than many humans, since at least she’s behind the baby all the way.
@obsessong you found me by the fray
adorable
The video is a very nice break from the world…thanks
@dementadoom;
And otters are clver!
Usually parents try to teach their kids straight to swimming, forgetting the floating and “learning not to panic in water” stages.
Otters do it in right order. To float -> to be comfortable in water when you know water carries you -> swimming -> diving.
Some swimming schools actually use that technique these days and kids learn to swimming pretty fast.
@AnnaLee56;
You need to practise with “Otter order”
First, learn to float on your back, then to float on your stomach in “turtle position” (in fetal position holding your knees with one arm and nose with the other), after that swimming and lastly to dive.
I was really worse in swimming until I was 20 or 21. Then I spent summer in place where was clear-water pond nearby and I went there practising swimming every evening after the noisy kids had left the beach.
@StarlingKnight;
Around beginning of August I had learnt to float, to swim pretty well and I was practising diving without snorkel.
It took about 2 summers until I had mastered the skills. These days I’m much like otter in the water. Or maybe more like seacow… *pokes his not-so flat stomach*
I’m glad there in a zoo and not munching on freshwater fish which i love much more, saying all that these could be sea otters. if that’s so then good luck to them
shes like “come on in the waters fine.”
i love how it instinctively reacts to get OUT OF THE WATER because that’s where mammals go to drown. very interesting
@Craigipedia
Just watched this…fascinating to see how momma teaches baby…gentle, but firm. They’re so cute!
Does anybody know what the banjo tune is? And the tuniong?
The pup tries to get out and she grabs his foot and pulls him back in. LOL.
pause at 1:09 the otter is liek.. holy crap let me leave
1:10 VULCAN DEATH NECK GRIP
haha she shoves its entire head under water LOL XD
Hi, could anyone tell me the name of the song and who is it playing the banjo, pleeeeeeeeaaaaase?????
Oh Mommie it’s cold!
Impressive… but I’m not sure there was enough theory work to constitute being “taught”. If our swimming coach taught us like that, several kids would have died on the first day, and he’d be in jail.
Let alone I don’t recall ever ending the lesson being dragged out of the swimming pool by my left ear
She’s making sure he takes a bath! I used to drag my son into the tub like that.
Just kidding. 8^}
@Damarcord…its I.P.Freely. the song is called yellow river blues!