5 fun facts about otters

They are the only aquatic mammals to use tools to acquire food. They keep rocks in special pockets under their forearms.

The population of sea otters is rapidly decreasing because of the environmental issues and poaching. The same goes for many other species, such as the giant otter, the southern river otter, the hairy nosed otter, etc.

Learning new facts about the animals kingdom is cool – but what about taking a fun trivia quiz on this topic? Try to identify these 15 close-up photos of wildlife.

Scientists still don't know exactly why they do it. Some believe otters learn to handle the rocks better this way, while others say they do it just for fun. One of the most fascinating otter facts is that they can keep the same rock for a very long time, even their entire life. Otters seem to form some kind of attachment to their favorite tool (or toy).

If you enjoy these facts about otters, you will definitely like these little-known facts about caracals and the largest bat species on Earth.

Otters' families have a lot in common with human ones. They are usually monogamous and often mate for life. When a baby otter, called a pup, is born, its parents and older siblings look out for them. Pups live with their families for at least a year.

Only an otter older than a month can swim on its own. That's why loving otter mothers put their puppies on the chest and float on the back. It looks incredibly lovely and cute.