A game of follow the leader can be exceptionally fun. Especially when you’re an otter. The pictured otters were recently captured by photographer Beverly Meekins running, sliding, and swimming their way through the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) can grow up to 4 feet long and can stay underwater for up to 8 minutes. It eats a variety of aquatic food such as fish, crabs, crayfish, frogs and turtles. In addition, it sometimes eats birds, eggs, and small reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
They are also excellent swimmers, able to navigate forward and backwards through the water, and can easily be spotted in many local North Carolina lakes and rivers.