If you’ve ever seen a picture or video of sea otters floating on their backs, holding hands as they snooze, you’ve probably thought it’s one of the most adorable things in the animal kingdom.
Well, you certainly wouldn’t be wrong – and if you’re reading this and you haven’t seen such a video – a quick detour is highly recommended.
But, of course, this behavior isn’t just cute and it actually serves a very practical purpose for these delightful sea otters, who live in ever-changing aquatic environments.
To Stay Together in the Ocean
Sea otters spend much of their lives in the water, where they eat, play, and rest. Unlike many other marine animals, they don’t have a fixed home base, like a nest or den. Instead, they live in the open ocean, which is constantly moving due to tides, currents, and waves.
Holding hands—known as “rafting” in scientific terms—is a way for sea otters to stay connected and avoid drifting apart while they sleep.
By holding onto one another, they create a sort of floating raft, making it easier to remain together as a group.
To Feel Safe from Predators
Additionally, sea otters are very social animals, and this means that staying close to one another provides a sense of security. By holding hands, they reduce the risk of becoming separated, which could leave them more vulnerable to predators like orcas or sharks. Moreover, floating in a group also helps them appear larger and more intimidating to potential threats, making it less likely they’ll be attacked.
To Keep Their Pups Safe
For a mother sea otter, holding hands is more than just a survival tactic—it’s an act of love and care. When sea otter moms are floating with their pups, they often hold onto them to ensure they stay close and safe. In addition, mothers sometimes wrap their pups in kelp to anchor them in place while they dive for food, further ensuring their young ones don’t drift away.
To Avoid Drifting with the Currents
The ocean is in constant motion, and sea otters are naturally at risk of being carried away by strong currents or tides. Holding hands helps them stay in the same area, even when the water is moving. Sometimes, they’ll also anchor themselves to kelp forests, wrapping the long, sturdy strands around their bodies to keep them stable and secure.
To Strengthen Social Bonds
As we’ve discussed, sea otters are very highly social creatures, and holding hands helps reinforce their relationships. This behavior is evidently a form of bonding, much like grooming or playing together.
By staying physically connected, they strengthen the trust and camaraderie within their group, which is vital for their survival and emotional well-being.
To Conserve Their Energy
Furthermore, drifting apart in the ocean not only poses safety risks but also requires more energy to reunite. Sea otters holding hands saves energy, as they don’t have to swim or search for each other after waking up. This is especially important because sea otters need a lot of calories to maintain their body temperature in cold waters, so conserving energy wherever possible is key.
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Parts of this article were generated using AI.
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Why Do Sea Otters Hold Hands While They Sleep?
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