@pawsandclawsencounters: Fern had to make sure her rock stayed close. Although Asian Small Clawed Otters don’t have pockets for rocks, like sea otters, rocks still play several roles in their lives. They “juggle” pebbles. They rapidly move stones between their paws, sometimes rolling them against their bodies—a form of object play. The reason is still a mystery. A study found more juggling when otters were hungry, but frequent jugglers weren’t better at solving food puzzles. So the idea that it’s practice for handling food remains unproven. Rocks hide their next meal. Sensitive pads on their paws help them feel beneath stones for prey, even in murky water. Rocks can be grooming surfaces. Rubbing against rocks and logs helps otters maintain their coats. Those wiggles and rolls can serve a useful purpose! #pawsandclawsanimalencounters #animalambassadors #notpets #otters #swimmingwithotters
