Otters are charismatic members of the Mustelidae family of mammals, which also includes weasels, minks, ferrets, wolverines, skunks, and badgers. Otters are semi-aquatic carnivores that inhabit every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Most otter species mainly live in freshwater habitats, although some populations of species such as North American river otters and Asian small-clawed otters also occupy saltwater estuaries or mangrove swamps respectively. Sea otters and marine otters dwell almost exclusively in coastal regions. In this issue of Land, Sea & Air, your class can find out more about all 13 otter species.

Younger students (grades K–3) can create a sea otter mask while discovering what kinds of foods sea otters eat.

Students in grades 4 through 8 can practice their math skills and learn a variety of statistics about otters in a race to complete a series of otter-related word problems.

Which otter species is the smallest marine mammal, which has the thickest fur of any animal, which species are endangered or threatened? Discover the answers to these and other questions in the Otter Infobook.

The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has helped support a variety of projects that conserve otters around the world. Visit the following link to learn more about a Conservation International project, which monitors and protects populations of four otter species in Southeast Asia.

Did you know that September 26 to October 2, 2010 is Sea Otter Awareness Week? Since 2006, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has provided annual grants to Defenders of Wildlife to help raise awareness about the threats sea otters face and how to help save dwindling sea otter populations. Visit the following link to learn more.

For many otter species, including Asian small-clawed otters, both parents raise their pups. Watch the following video to learn about one dedicated otter father at SeaWorld Orlando.

How can you learn about the ocean without leaving your classroom? Through a satellite broadcast from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ award-winning Shamu TV series. Tune in on September 17 for Saving a Species: Our One Ocean. Visit the Shamu TV Web site to find out show information and satellite coordinates.