I've also discovered this, there was actually a newsgroup about otters. There's a lot of spam and nonsense but fun to click through nonetheless.
https://groups.google.com/g/alt.animals.otters

>>3309
One thing I'd like to have more of is all the personal otter encounter stories, but sadly that's a very rare thing and we are only few, so we won't get those kinds of tales often

>>3309
Sometimes I wonder how much we should advertise Otterchat. On the one hand, more otternons is always a good thing, but on the other hand, rapid influxes of new people always worry me. But maybe I'm just being a Nervous Nancy about it

>>3316
Personally, I think just telling friends about it is enough. Direct advertising usually doesn't work at all, people just need to discover this place naturally by finding something they're looking for in it. The way the internet is right now, maybe that's a little hard for most people, but I think this place is already pretty successful as it is considering how niche of a topic it covers.

At this point I see no problem with advertising the site. We've got a captcha to keep unqualified posters out, so we should be able to advertise as much as we want. We should still be smart about it of course, don't just spam links or anything.

>>2676 Always being curious is a big part of what makes an otter an otter. Even if something seems boring and mundane at first glance, just take a moment to take it in and appreciate it. And maybe it'll turn out to be something fascinating.

>>2652
It reminds me of the Prophet's saying, "The Paradise is surrounded by hardships".

>>3475
The principle of getting in the water also points toward the merits of self-discipline and commitment. The water may not be enjoyable or pleasant. It may be cold and uncomfortable. But the water is rewarding all the same. There is something to be gained from getting in the water. Something that is greater than the unpleasant feeling that comes from getting in it. You may make that leap into the water, and you may catch a fish or a crab, and then eat and be satisfied for the rest of the day. Those few minutes in the water getting over your own aversion to the discomfort of being in the aquatic environment brought you something much better than just avoiding having to endure the water for a short while.

This is a lesson for us, too. When the prophet said that Paradise is surrounded by hardships, he was referring to the trials and hardships a believer endures in this life to gain the ultimate reward in the next. There are unpleasant and uncomfortable things in our lives which we endure because we know that they will bring us to a better outcome.

Why do otters get in the water? To catch the fish. You don't just have to ask yourself what the water is, but what the fish is, as well. Not only what it is you may have to endure, but what you hope to gain from it.

I like this thread
https://ia801604.us.archive.org/2/items/get-in-the-water/get-in-the-water.ia.mp4

>>3487
This is pretty swell, thanks for sharing!

>>2436 either a fight or very fierce love.

>>2442
Otters love hard and fight hard

>>2453 Passionate otters!

>>1783
They definitely do it for fun, playfighting is simply one of otter's many sports.

>>2436 You just can't tell sometimes.

>>1079
A lot of the great natural processes will involve otters in some capacity

>>1155
In a perfect world.
Dubdubs confirm that's the way it's supposed 2b.

1000 miles per hour

These are magnificent

Otters are candy for the eyes

>>2351
Sounds like a funny otter picture, can you post it?

I like saying otter
otter

>>2341 I hope you see otters soon

>>2354

>Otters are candy for the eyes

Except otters are good for you.

I've shortened it by now, I just say 'ter

>>3115
I like to believe this was a two otter job, where the first one deliberately distracted the human so the second could execute the grab. A well planned otter heist.

>>3116 Perhaps. Or maybe the second otter just saw a good opportunity to grab that bucket. Not planned, but well executed.

>>3117
Though have to say otters seem like animals that are enough in tune with each other to plan complex things like that. They'd be able to solve problems together like (how do we steal the guy's bucket without him noticing).

>>2029
How about a bucket full of water? I believe humans call that a pool

>>3443 That would be perfect for otters.
And that pic is just the cutest!

It's better with friends and family.

>>3371 us

>>3372 as your fellow otterpal, I heartily agree!

>>1896
Those are defintely his

>>3119
This is so cool! Might pick it up as a Christmas gift to myself.

A Ring of Bright Water (1960) and its sequels are an amazing set of autobiographical novels about Gavin Maxwell and his lutrine companions.

I recommend them ONLY to the stout of heart, though (especially the latter ones), as they get exceedingly sad.

But if you're into otters (if you're not, why are you reading this thread!), reading (see my previous parentheses), and you don't mind a little sadness, definitely check out A Ring of Bright Water!

>>3379
Thanks for sharing this! How do you think the book compares to the film? I'd love to give it a read if I weren't so lazy about reading heh

>>3389
I think the movie is at least as good for otter enjoyers... perhaps better? But for someone more interesting in Maxwell (or the writing in general), the book is obviously superior. If you're lazy about reading, the movie'll probably be fine lol.

It's more for beginner otterlovers, but there are lots of good testimonials and pics of otts in this. It's by the otter specialist group! https://weloveotterscom.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/the_otter_book_definitivo_web.pdf

>>2754
>>2755
looks like one of those otter cafes, evil places.

>>3402 Nice squeaks. Did you take this anon?

>>3403
Sadly no. A friend sent it to me.

>>2757 The otters are still cute, though.

>>3278 So cool, what an amazing pair of otters! It's lovely seeing them twirl around underwater.

>>3280
I'd bet some of it is that otters check stuff out by sniffing it, and so that's the first part of the otter that touches something with snow

>>3296 That's what I thought too. You stick your nose into everything,eventually something's gonna stick back.

Otters have to work a little harder for their food in the snow but they also get to enjoy themselves playing in it, so it's a fair trade right?

>>3281

It's true, this is a big issue unfortunately. These kinds of videos lead to the impression that it's as easy to keep a pet otter as a dog or cat. It's made a big business out of poaching. Organized criminals killing otter mums and stealing their pups to sell them off. And these youtubers know this and continue, they keep their many millions of followers in the dark about this and keep up the facade. These people have more publicity than anyone in the otter conservation space could dream to have, but they're just interested in supplying cute videos for the masses. I don't watch any of these pet otter channels anymore.

I wish that I could enjoy these videos. I'll admit it, they are certainly cute, but the fact that they're so cute isn't helping the otters, because it just encourages more poachers to go out and harm wild otters. I've stopped watching them, and I wish that there was some sort of way to raise awareness about how harmful these channels are to otters, but I don't know how we could get that message out to the people that need to hear it

It's unfortunate how popular these videos are. Too many people don't know.

Just signed up, it sounds like a good time.

These otters are relatively small. An adult marine otter can reach 6 kg, where a sea otter can weigh up to 45 kg.

Another name for the marine otter is sea cat.

A very special otter indeed.

Wow, that's a bunch of cool facts! I always thought the marine otter was cool, but I didn't know all this stuff about it

>>3288 Wow, that's one small otter. Especially for a marine mammal. Doesn't make it any less otter of course.

>>2915 That's one scary otter, wouldn't wanna get in his way

>>2909
I like this otter, they look so proud of themselves. Thanks for sharing anon!

>>2547
I get it

Found this on my hard drive

>>3126
This one has a much fatter tail

>>3131
Could just be the perspective.
What otters have the thickest tails?

>>3134
I don't know about the thickest, but neotropical otters have the longest tails relative to size. It's why they're called lontra longicaudis.

>>1905
hahahaha

>>466
Otters are perfectly shaped just as they are.

>>466
I have to agree with >>467

>Otters are perfectly shaped just as they are.

In any dimension or realm, the Otter will be conformed to the Perfect Shape for that Sphere of Reality. In our 3D world, the 3D Otter represents the perfect fluidity of God-in-Motion as river-dwelling apex carnivore/Olympic cuddler.
Howeevr, if viewed in quantum space, the Otter will indeed be a very different shape: it will conform itself into the most perfect expression of God-in-Motion for that dimension.
Thus, the Otter is always perfectly adapted for maximum beuaty according to its local environment.

You get smartier just reading this thread

>>439
Otters make more sounds than just their squeaks, I've found. Even just sniffing to find out information about their environment can create otter sounds

>>3360
Those are some very curious otts! I'm always surprised at how fast otters can be on land. I expect them to be fast in water, but I forget they can just be generally speedy.

They can kinda look like big mice, I think.

>>3174

>Why do otters kind of look like seals sometimes?

More like seals look like otters!

But in all actuality, I think that it's because they're both marine animals, and thus are adapted to move best in those types of environments

Just doesn't have quite the otter energy yet.

>>2239 It's doing a good job simulating a very tired otter.

Oh no, that's so sad! I'm gonna miss Bishan Mum, she was such an important part of bringing back otters in Singapore, what with all the babies that she had. Still, at least she went in a peaceful way. :(

>>3300
She did have a lot of babies, IIRC it was over 40. She really left a great legacy

An inverted Otter is usually a sign that total relaxation is occurring

>>2312

>>2312
It can also be a sign of scratches being had

>>2355
Which itself can also be an indicator of comfort and relaxation for otts

>>2312

>An inverted Otter is usually a sign that total relaxation is occurring

Certainly, after all, it's the only way they can put their feet up.

IOSF have put together a neat little quiz about otters here. Apparently there's a prize, too, but they won't say what it is (curious!). Regardless it's a neat way to test your knowledge.

https://s.pointerpro.com/wadotterquiz

Have they named any winners yet? I myself don't really have anyone to nominate...

They've finally announced the winners:

>Photography/Artwork – Talia Rose, USA - Check out the great photo below!

<----

>Young Person - Lim Wei Hang and Haizan anak Kamarul Zaman Malaysian Nature Society, Malaysia - For their incredible knowledge, passion and help during IOSF/MNS Workshop in April.
>Group or Organisation - Chesapeake Bay Otter Alliance: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, USA - Monitoring of North American River Otter’s on Chesapeake Bay, USA.
>Community Achievement – Krunal Trivedi, Nature Club Surat, India - Otter-community conflict management, outreach and mitigation methods.
>Research – WildTrack - Frederick Kistner, Larissa Slaney (and co-contributors Asaf Ben David , Zoe Jewell and Sky Alibhair) - For the development of technology using otter footprints to monitor populations.
>Special Award - Dr Wolfgang Gettmann , Germany - Wolfgang has been creating awareness of the problems facing otters, particularly in Germany, for many years and continues to be a passionate advocate for their conservation.

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>>2495 Otter things

>>819
Here's some schlippers.

>>2514 Always good to see otter thirst being quenched

Cute otter!

>>2514 I love this vid

welcome

Hey, you guys are welcome to visit us any time. I like having visitors. Just don't post so many threads please

I glad soup otters' numbers have been recovering.

>>1762
As with other otter species, it's all about habitat. The more soup for them to live in, the more soup otters.
Make soup, not war!

This is getting me in the mood for some soup

>>1763 What kinds of soup do soup otters like?

Waiter there's 500000 hairs per square inch in my soup

>>3141
Probably, otters are very wise after all, they know many things.

I'd say they are at least vaguely aware.