sea otters

Sea Otters Facts
wild animals

Sea Otters 101: 7 Reasons to Love These Playful Creatures

You may have seen the video of two sea otters holding hands that is now a cute-animal hall of famer, but you may be surprised to know that there is a pragmatic reason behind the hand-holding.
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You may have seen the video of two sea otters holding hands that is now a cute-animal hall of famer, but you may be surprised to know that there is a pragmatic reason behind the hand-holding. Perhaps even more surprising, sea otters play a key role in the fight against global warming. And sure, they're considered to be one of the most playful animals of the sea, but did you know that they have an unexpected feisty side, too? They may be known for their stuffed-animal-like cuteness, but there is so much more to the sea otter that makes them one of the most fascinating, important, and resilient animals in the world. Here are seven reasons why these furry mammals are otterly lovable.

Source: Getty

Furry Rafts Sophisticated Diners Roughing It Bringing Up Baby Fur Real Global Warming? No Problem, Say Sea Otters I Will Survive
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The Scoop: Deadly Cat Poop for Sea Otters
Cats

The Scoop: Deadly Cat Poop for Sea Otters

While not many of you were instantly on board with composting dog poop, I thought I'd mention some important information for those feline owners.
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While not many of you were instantly on board with composting dog poop, I thought I'd mention some important information for those feline owners. A common parasite that kitties can get is actually very deadly to wildlife, like these adoro sea otters, when cat litter is not properly disposed! Cat feces can contain Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that commonly gets into feline systems from eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. When kitties later expel these parasites in their droppings — sometimes hundreds of millions at a time — each can survive in soil and water for over a year!

Although many different kinds of animals can serve as intermediate hosts for the parasites, cats are the only animals known to shed the parasite's eggs in their droppings. (In fact, this cat-parasite link is the reason pregnant women are advised against cleaning cat litter boxes.) Because of this danger, cat poop should not be flushed because it can then be carried via storm drains and sewage outflows into near-shore ocean waters. But, what about those indoor cats? Find out when you read more