Playful Oregon Zoo Sea Otters Dunk Mini-Pumpkins Like Basketballs

Two talented sea otters at the Oregon Zoo playfully slam-dunked miniature pumpkins through their hoop like basketballs, a festive seasonal twist on their regular training routine.

punkin dunkin

Playing basketball is a unique yet adorable daily enrichment exercise that keeps the otters’ minds and bodies in excellent shape.

Positive-reinforcement training like the sea otters’ basketball routine plays a critical role in animal well-being, and using novel items like mini pumpkins helps keep it even more interesting.

The zoo’s hoops tradition began with Eddie, an elderly sea otter whom keepers taught to dunk as therapy for his arthritic elbows.

Other Otter Games

Lori Dorn
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.