Otters

/ˈɑːtərz/ noun

Definition

Furry aquatic mammals with long sleek bodies, small ears, and powerful tails that hunt fish and shellfish in rivers and seas.

Etymology

From Old English 'otor' or 'otter,' from Proto-Germanic 'otraz.' The word root likely means 'swimmer' and is related to 'water' in many Indo-European languages.

Kelly Says

Sea otters are a 'keystone species'—they eat sea urchins, which otherwise destroy kelp forests, so when sea otters disappeared from hunting, entire ocean ecosystems collapsed until we brought them back.

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