People, I have an announcement: I SAW AN OTTER. Not the otters at the Seattle Aquarium, although those are unspeakably cute. This was a WILD otter frolicking in the Puget Sound. I know it was an otter because it was diving and I could see its sleek little body and tail.
Actually, this is not the first time I’ve seen a wild otter. I saw them in Alaska too, looking all cute with their little faces looking up at you. But there is something really special about seeing one in your own little unassuming state, practically in your backyard. (Yes, I get really excited about wildlife viewings. Did you know that last year I saw a BEAVER?)
After some research, I determined that this was actually a river otter, despite its being in the Puget Sound. Apparently sea otters are only really seen along the coast of Washington, but river otters, despite their name, can live in all kinds of water, including salt water. Who knew?
Which reminds me of a news item from a few weeks ago that I didn’t even believe when my mom first told me about it. Did you hear about the old man who got attacked by a RABID OTTER? A 96-year-old man in Florida was out for his morning walk when a rabid otter came out of the woods and attacked him!
I managed to find the transcript for the 911 call placed by a man who stopped to help him. Actually, if you read the whole thing it’s pretty fascinating, but here’s my favorite part:
OPERATOR: What kind of injuries does he have at this time?
CALLER: I don’t know. He’s being bit by a damn otter. Can you please send someone?
