Otter News Archive

Meet Sea Life's newest and most popular stars

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21 September 2005

King's Lynn Today

These cuddly critters are causing quite a stir at Hunstanton's Sea Life Sanctuary. Four otter cubs, who are just three-months old, have decided it is time to leave the comfort of their holt, or lair - and show off in front of the attraction's visitors.

It is too early to know whether the bundles of fluff are male or female, so they have yet to be named.
The cubs' dad is Chipz and their mum is Fliss, and the couple have been at the centre since 2001.
"Mum gives birth in the holt, and then she and dad don't come out very much, as they spend most of their time looking after the youngsters," said sanctuary manager Nigel Croasdale.

"The baby otters are born blind and can't swim, and they stay in the holt until they're two or three months old, then they start exploring.

"What happens is mum and dad will start to pick them up and carry them outside the holt."

Mr Croasdale added: "They've made some brief appearances during the summer holidays when mum dragged them out and dropped them on the floor, but now the cubs can come out the holt of their own accord."

They are now making regular appearances in their outdoor enclosure which includes a pond, stream, and pebbled, muddy and grassed areas.

"They're one of the most popular creatures we have, certainly when they have cubs," said Mr Croasdale.