Giant Otters Becoming Independent
In Giant Otters: Reaching Adulthood, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains how young giant otters begin to transition from relying on their otter parents to being independent adults. As the otters grow, they take on more responsibility for finding their own food. The end of the clip describes how other young animals become more self-reliant in their water habitats. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What physical feature of the otter helps it find fish/prey in the water?
A: The otters have very sensitive whiskers that can feel movements and changes in pressure, which means they can sense fish from far away.
Q: Why won’t the mother otter share anymore?
A: She is forcing the young otter to begin hunting for its own food and become independent.
Q: Why is it important for young otters (or other animals) to stop relying on their parents?
A: Young animals must begin to learn how to survive on their own so they can successfully grow into adulthood.
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