During the COVID-19 pandemic, John Ball Zoo has been featuring online edication through their ongoing "Zoo Insider" features.
This week the zoo's "Zoo Insider" spotlights a pair of North American river otters, Slyde and Chumani. The two otters are a favorite of many guests, volunteers.
Joh Ball Zoo Animal care supervisor Jaime talks about the river otter species, and also about Slyde and Chumani’s personalities and what makes them unique and special.
River otters have a physical shape made for quick swimming, along with long slender bodies, small ears, nostrils that can close underwater, webbed feet, and nictitating membranes (clear eyelids for underwater hunting and navigation).
Through enrichment, watch as they use these along with their natural hunting and foraging instincts to access the hidden food. It is interesting how each of them does this differently.
While this species is doing well in the wild, we must maintain clean waterways for their continued success. You can help animals like the river otters by keeping waterways clean. Support conservation programs by participating in local conservation and citizen science efforts like local river and beach clean-ups.
More info: Great Lakes Commission -https://www.glc.org/
West Michigan Environmental Action Council -https://wmeac.org/grandrivercleanup/
Project Clarity -http://www.macatawaclarity.org/