Cheeky Crows Prank Baby Otters | The Making of Mammals | BBC Earth

Summary

In Singapore, a densely populated urban jungle, smooth-coated otter pups venture out of their holt for the first time. Thanks to conservation efforts, Singapore boasts a thriving otter population, turning them into a tourist attraction. The young otters learn to swim and hunt, but face challenges from the clever house crows, who steal their food using distraction tactics. Despite the crows' persistence, the otters seem unbothered, knowing they will soon be self-sufficient.

Takeaways

• 🐾 The smooth-coated otter pups have spent their first six weeks in a holt, which is a type of otter den.
• 🏊‍♂️ It's time for the otters to venture into the water, marking the beginning of their aquatic life.
• 🌏 Singapore, one of the world's most densely populated countries, is also home to one of the densest populations of otters.
• 🌱 Conservation efforts, such as cleaning waterways, have contributed to the thriving otter population in Singapore.
• 🐟 With an abundance of fish, the otters have adapted well to the urban environment and have become a tourist attraction.
• 🍼 The young otters are still dependent on their mother's milk and are in the process of learning to swim.
• 🦷 Despite having small teeth, the otters' teeth are razor-sharp, essential for their hunting and feeding.
• 🍴 In Singapore, otters have adapted to feeding in marinas, a departure from their usual riverbank feeding grounds.
• 🐧 House crows, native to South Asia, have migrated to Singapore and other parts of the world via ships.
• 🧠 House crows are intelligent and have adapted to urban life, forming a social cooperative to communicate and share food.
• 🤹‍♂️ Crows have been observed stealing food from the otters by using distraction tactics like pulling their tails.
• 🔄 The otters eventually tire of the crows' antics and leave the remaining fish to them, showing the otters' resilience.
• 🔄 In six weeks, the cubs are expected to be catching fish on their own, but they may face a lifetime of having their tails pulled by crows.

Q & A

What is the significance of the holt for the smooth-coated otter pups?

The holt provides a safe environment for the otter pups during their first six weeks, protecting them before they venture into the water.

Why is Singapore an ideal playground for the otters?

Singapore, being one of the most densely populated countries, has also become a haven for otters due to successful conservation efforts, including cleaning up waterways, resulting in one of the densest otter populations on Earth.

How have the otters adapted to living in an urban environment like Singapore?

The otters have made the city their own, utilizing the urban environment for hunting fish and even becoming a tourist attraction.

What is the otters' primary source of nutrition mentioned in the script?

Fish is the primary source of nutrition for the otters, which they hunt in the waters of Singapore.

How do the young otters learn to swim and feed?

The young cubs, still reliant on their mother's milk, are learning to swim and feed by watching and participating in their mother's hunting trips.

What is unique about the otters' teeth?

Although the otters' teeth may be small, they are razor-sharp, which is essential for their feeding habits.

How do otters typically feed in their natural habitat?

In their natural habitat, otters haul out onto a riverbank to feed.

What is the role of house crows in the urban ecosystem of Singapore?

House crows, native to India and other south Asian countries, have adapted to urban life in Singapore, forming a loose social cooperative to communicate dangers and share food.

Why do house crows steal food from the otter cubs?

The house crows steal food from the otter cubs as a survival strategy, using distraction tactics like pulling tails to get the cubs to drop their catch.

What is a key quality of the house crows mentioned in the script?

Persistence is a key quality of the house crows, as they continue to steal food from the otters and pull their tails even when the cubs get tired of the hassle.

What can we expect from the otter cubs in the next six weeks?

In the next six weeks, the otter cubs are expected to start catching fish for themselves, becoming more independent.