River otters don’t get the respect they deserve.
Sure, at times they look so cute and friendly, swimming and splashing around like they don’t have a care in the world or a mean bone in their body, but when push comes to shove, you do not want to be in their path.
Otters are predators that feed on fish, birds, frogs, turtles, and small mammals when the opportunity presents itself and are fiercely territorial of their homes, as we can see in this video taken by the River Otter Ecology Project early last year.
The non-profit is committed to maintaining river otter habitats in California and sets up trail cameras to view all facets of the lives of these fascinating creatures, including their willingness to go toe to toe with other predators.
Two coyotes were on the prowl when they happened up on the otters den, possibly due to the strong, musky odor they leave through scent marking. The coyotes may have been thinking this would be an easy meal, rolling up on a water creature on land, but that was not at all the case.
The otter immediately jumped into action and snapped at one of the coyotes. The other appeared and again it ran that one off.
The three animals stared at each other for a few moments before the coyotes scurried away, accepting defeat.
If you don’t know, now you know: River otters are no joke.
