Otters……Steve Drury’s Earthlogs…….From The RSPB….
by Bernie Bell - 08:31 on 31 August 2025
Otters…
From Matthew Manning’s Facebook page….
“SEA OTTERS HAVE A FAVOURITE ROCK THAT THEY KEEP IN A FUR POCKET UNDER THEIR ARMS. THEY HAVE A CLEVER REASON FOR IT
Sea otters feast on tough-shelled prey like clams, mussels, crabs, and sea urchins. Whilst their powerful jaws help them crush some food, for the hardest shells they need a little extra help. That’s where their special pockets and their favourite rocks come in.
Researchers have observed sea otters using their chosen rocks in two ways: either as an anvil, placing the rock on their chest and smashing shellfish against it, or as a hammer, using the rock to dislodge stubborn prey like abalone from underwater rocks.
Some otters have even been seen using two rocks in tandem - one as a hammer and the other as an anvil - demonstrating a remarkable level of problem-solving and dexterity.
But perhaps even more impressive is how the otters cherish some rocks.
Under each forearm, sea otters have flaps of loose skin that function like built-in pockets. These pouches allow them to store extra food while diving, preventing the need to return to the surface too often. But what really sets these pockets apart is that many sea otters keep a special rock tucked away in them - a tool they use over and over again.
Unlike other animals that use tools occasionally, sea otters show remarkable consistency. Once an otter finds a rock that works well, it often keeps it for years, storing it in its pocket when not in use. This behaviour is not perfectly understood but it suggests not just intelligence, but also a sense of attachment to a particular tool.
Once you find a rock that works well, why give it up?
My Otter observations…..
https://theorkneynews.scot/2018/04/16/of-ponds-otters-planets/
**************************************************************************
Steve Drury’s Earthlogs….
An interesting…and disturbing….piece…..
https://earthlogs.org/2025/08/29/human-interventions-in-geological-processes/
***************************************************************************
From The RSPB….
“Spotlight on: Asian vultures
Vulture species in Asia have suffered staggering declines in recent decades but we’ve been part of the work to turn their fortunes around. In the latest species spotlight, you’ll discover what makes ‘nature’s clean-up crew’ so special and how we’re working with partners to help them recover.
A home for the UK’s smallest butterfly
RSPB Culbin Sands is a nature-rich stretch of dunes, sandbar and saltmarsh in the Highlands of Scotland. It attracts some wild weather but is also home to one of the UK’s most delicate species. Catch up with our team of dedicated, hardy volunteers who manage this habitat for the Small Blue.
Add your comment
