Sea Otter Sweetly ‘Adopts’ Friend After Getting a Case of Baby Fever

Natalie Hoage
·3 min read
2

We've all heard the term 'baby fever', and many of us have felt it before...but did you know that sea otters get it too? KP is a marine biologist and animal behavior expert in Tacoma, Washington who is lucky enough to work with walruses, sea otters and sea lions. On Friday, April 12th, she shared a video about a sea otter named Libby, who currently has baby fever.

KP explains that Libby is going through an estrus cycle, a hormonal cycle that "tells her she needs to have a baby." Since there are no babies swimming around, Libby finds a surrogate baby in her friend Clara. Watch what happens when Libby tries to be her mom!

I think Clara's had enough of being treated like a baby! The little 'back off' swat was just the cutest! KP's commenters all agreed that this was beyond adorable. I'm with @Wesley who said, "I volunteer as tribute." @Kassinova gets it and shared, "Same girl, same." @Stanleyparkcoyote asked, "Is Clara bigger than Libby LOL!" and KP laughed, "Significantly!!!" Another commenter wondered, "Is it safe for them to have these periods (pardon the phrasing) without being bred? In ferrets, it can lead to anemia. Just wondering, since they are somewhat related. TY!!" and KP replied, "It’s safe in sea otters! I have 4 ferrets of my own!"

Related: Aquarium of the Pacific Pairs Orphaned Sea Otter Pup With Surrogate Mom

Sea Otters and Mating

I don't know about you, but I think sea otters are absolutely adorable! Have you seen them make otter biscuits?! I could watch that all day! The Aquarium of the Pacific, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and many others have programs where rescued sea otter pups are paired with a surrogate mother...maybe Libby needs to get a baby of her own that way!

Sea World shared some facts about sea otters and how they mate. They explained, "The reproductive cycle in California sea otters is about 12 months. If a female's pup does not survive, she may experience postpartum estrus." I'm guessing since Libby didn't have a baby last year that it was time for her to get baby fever again.

When a male finds a possible mate, it's not always a session of wooing her and can actually get aggressive. "When a male sea otter finds a receptive female, the two engage in playful and sometimes aggressive behavior. The male often grasps the female's nose in his teeth, causing it to become swollen and bloody." Yikes! This occurs after they play by chasing, diving, and swimming with each other, but it doesn't sound very fun!

Sea World also shares more about a sea otter's pregnancy...it's a long process. "Reports on sea otter gestation range from four to nine months, with an average of six months. This probably includes a period of delayed implantation of two to three months."

As KP said in the video, hopefully Libby's baby fever doesn't continue for too much longer. Otherwise, Clara might start fighting back!

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