Did you know that today is World Otter Day? I know, I know - it’s strange for me to be reaching out to you on a day designed to celebrate me, but my friends and I need your help. The fine folks over at Team Sierra are raising money for World Otter Day, and they asked me to write a little something about myself to fill you in on why I deserve a whole day of appreciation!
We sea otters love swimming, snoozing on our backs, and wearing the title of ‘largest type of weasel’ with pride. We’re also a keystone species -- playing a major role in the maintenance of the marine ecosystem.
Fun fact: we don’t have any insulating body fat, so we have to eat a ton to keep warm while we hang in the ocean all day. Our large appetites regulate other species from thinning kelp forests, which our marine friends rely on to survive.
We also help you humans out -- the health of our species can be a key indicator into the overall health of the ecosystem that we’re in. We also may be playing a role in carbon sequestration, which has important implications for climate change.
We’re fortunate to be protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which limits hunting in Alaska. But we need organizations, like Sierra Club, who work hard to protect species and the lands and water they inhabit.
Let’s support each otter,
Sammy Sea Otter
P.S. -- If you donate $39 or more, you can symbolically adopt my cousin, the River Otter! They’re important, too, and Sierra Club is doing work to help them by doing things like funding scientific studies on the otter population in Iowa and what is necessary to maintain a sustainable population. Also, they’re pretty adorable and when you adopt one, you’ll get a 9 inch eco-plush and some other goodies!
