Otters holding Hands

Sea otters sleep at sea, floating around, holding hands as a means of keeping the group together on the ocean surface while floating above the kelp beds that otters feed in. They wrap themselves in the kelp plants to keep themselves stationary and the hand holding keeps bonded mates or family members together while drifting in the ocean swells and currents. It is an acquired behaviour stemming from the otters’ lifestyle at sea. It is also an affectionate stance in nature as it is a means of keeping close to those individuals that are most important to each otter. Otters feel more comfortable holding hands while asleep than drifting alone, so it serves both social and practical purposes.