A beautiful clip of a sea otter mom and its pup in California has given viewers the feels.
The cute video, filmed at Morro Bay in California has gone viral, with viewers gushing over the mom and baby duo.
We see the mother carrying and protecting her fluffy pup, making sure it stays close as it floats around in the water. She also grabs the pup and brings it close for a big cuddle, which is melting fans’ hearts.
At one point they reach the edge of the bay and come across seaweed, and the mom expertly untangles herself to grab her pup to ensure they’re safe and sound. She pulls the baby closer to her and lays him on her stomach to stop him from drifting away.
Viewers are gushing over the clip, with one writing: “Otters are so precious,” and another echoing: “Oh to be a baby otter in its mother’s arms”.
Someone else said: “Otters must have so many thoughts about the sky.”
“I love this. Baby is just floating around in a snuggle bundle for momma to grab and cuddle,” penned another.
Whereas another TikTok user pleaded for viewers to help where they can: “For all of us that love otters. Please do whatever you can to help with conservation – through conservation, education, donation and respect.”
While one user joked: “I’m not crying.”
Most otter species will come ashore to give birth in handmade dens, but sea otters give birth in the water. Baby otters – either kittens or pups – stay with their mothers until they’re either a year old or she has another litter.
When they need to nap, they’ll entangle themselves in kelp so they don’t float away and if another sea otter is around, they’ll intertwine their feet to stay together.
River otters don’t breed until they’re at least five years old and are playful creatures. They learn to swim at two months old when their mom pushes them into the stream.
Otters were once hunted for their fur, and many of the species were near extinction. Others are at risk of habitat loss and pollution, despite laws in place to protect them.
The sea otter is listed as an endangered species, affected by pesticides, pollution and fishermen who kill them for eating their fish.
