Reader Kieran sent this video, and by the time you see it I’ll have gone home, for Professor Ceiling Cat (Emeritus) has a tummy ache. Enjoy the Juggling Otter (Amblonyx cinerea), whose YouTube video says this:
The Otter at Dudley Zoo enjoys his pebble juggling while waiting for his feeding time. Oriental small clawed otter [sic] are the smallest of the world’s 13 species. They are members of the weasel family. They are now back to their previous numbers in many areas in the UK.
A clarification is needed. Lutra lutra is the Eurasian otter and it is that species that has made a recovery in the UK.
The ability to play and amuse oneself is a sign of intelligence and sentience, not just raw instinct. Thank you for this. Amazing
You’d think he otter drop those rocks…
He tried to weasel out of the performance but the onlookers insisted.
Well, he Mustelid keep juggling those rocks, or else he shan’t have any pudding! How can he have any pudding if he don’t juggle those rocks?!
Just another rock in the wall…
cr
He’s stoatally dedicated to juggling!
I have seen several clips recently of otters juggling stones like this. It seems that it is quite a widespread behaviour.
Ok, you got me. I was skeptical of watching a juggling otter video but I liked it so much I shared it with several friends.
Carl Kruse
Otters use rocks to break open Abalone shells. Could this be related?
Watching the otter at play just puts a big smile on my face.
Yet more otter juggling at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RwmtrjeInc#t=83
cr