Sea Otters Play an Adorable Game of Water Basketball

Lori Dorn
January 16, 2024

@oregonzoo
Otter chaos ? #otter #basketball #slamdunk #animalsoftiktok
? original sound – ????????

Three orphaned sea otters named Juno, Lincoln, and Sushi, who live at the Oregon Zoo, played an adorable game of water basketball. This is part of their daily enrichment exercises that keep them moving creatively. The little mammals seemed to have a lot of fun as they performed some fancy slam dunks into their custom-made hoop. Plus, the game plays to their natural instincts.

Enrichment sessions like these are fun for Juno, Lincoln and Sushi and “clam dunks” can help stave of stiffness and arthritis as they age. …The movements mimic a natural behavior called a “spy hop,” in which wild sea otters will rise straight up out of the ocean to survey their surroundings above the waves.

While Juno is particularly practiced at making every shot, Sushi and Lincoln are a bit newer to the game.

@oregonzoo
Ottermatic All-Stars! ? Sea otters Lincoln and Sushi have joined Juno at the basketball hoop. Training and enrichment like this is fun for the otters, keeps them active and strengthens bonds with care staff. Clam dunk! #otter #basketball #animals #sports
? som original – Adryan Fabrício

via Boing Boing

Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.