River Otters Playing on Tampa Bay Dock – Otter Sighting in St Pete | Video

Published on 7/24/22 (scroll down for video):

Who knew our Tampa Bay waters held playful river otters?! This energetic pair was spotted in Shore Acres yesterday by local resident Lacee Porter! One even seemed to put on a dance show. 😂

While river otters aren’t encountered as often as other Tampa Bay wildlife, quite a few have seen them! Amy has been fortunate to spot them over the years, where-as I haven’t been so lucky. So big thanks to Lacee for letting me share her encounter and video!

Tampa Bay Otters – Fun to Watch, Though Be Careful

While they’re fun to watch and very playful, as with most wildlife, be careful if you encounter them. I read where they can become especially aggressive if they have cubs or a den nearby, no different than other animals. You’ll also want to keep pets away, as river otters will defend their territory if feeling threatened. And in the rare chance they have rabies, they may show unprovoked aggression. So it likely goes without saying, simply enjoy watching from a safe area and do not attempt to feed them. 😊

River Otter Stats – St Petersburg

According to the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, river otters weigh between 10 and 33 pounds, have long slender bodies, short legs and webbed toes. A river otter typically has a home range 3-15 square miles. “While river otters tend to live alone or in pairs, they often socialize in groups and are known for their playful behavior. Their long, agile bodies enable them to quickly twist, turn, roll and dive…”.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! Cheers – Mike Braswell REALTOR®

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