Eurasian otters, Loch Spelve, Isle of Mull, Scotland
© Neil Henderson/Alamy
World Otter Day - 'Otter' you looking at?
Playful, strong swimmers, and expert hunters—meet the otters. They come in 13 species of various shapes and sizes, from the sea otters found in coastal waters to the river otters frolicking in freshwater habitats. Seen in today's image is a Eurasian otter on the beautiful Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. With webbed feet, streamlined bodies, and dense fur coats, otters are built for speed and agility underwater. They can dive deep and hold their breath for several minutes.
From habitat loss and pollution to being hunted for their fur, these whiskered wonders are struggling to survive out in the wild. That's where World Otter Day, on the last Wednesday in May, comes in. It's our chance to raise awareness about the challenges otters face and what we can do to help protect our environment.