'Some nibbling may have occurred': sea otter pictured trying to eat a horn shark

[turbinetree]

A sea otter off the coast of California caused a splash when it was photographed apparently trying to eat a shark – though it appears it did not manage to complete its meal.

Photographers Don Henderson and Alice Cahill captured the unusual event, which involved a small horn shark, in Morro Bay last week.

The images were shared by Sea Otter Savvy, a non-profit which seeks to promote “responsible wildlife viewing, awareness of the effect our behaviour can have on sea otters and other wildlife, and a safer, healthier coastal environment for all of us, otter and human alike”.

Michael Harris, of the California department of fish and wildlife, told the website For the Win Outdoors: “To my knowledge … this is the first documented horn shark capture by a sea otter. There are reports of sea otters capturing skates and rays, but this is the first report of a shark. Sea otters will feed on fish, but it’s a very rare observation in California.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/18/sea-otter-california-horn-shark

[sakabatou]

1. "Om om no- ugh, too shark-y."

[BigmanPigman]

2. Yay sea otter!!!

Go for it! Yummy. I am always very pro-sea otter.

[Silent3]

3. Apparently, not everyone is a fan

But don’t be fooled by this PR campaign. Behind those beady eyes lies a dark secret: Otters are assholes. It’s often pointed out that humans would be foolish to apply their moral compass onto nature; however, seriously, otters are total jerks.

Not convinced? Here’s a brief look at the mass of evidence against these sadistic, semiaquatic sickos.

https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/otters-are-not-cute-they-are-sick-depraved-jerks/

[BigmanPigman]

5. Eeewww, yuk!

Ok, I love the female of the species now that I am better informed. However, the males are apparently the typical, sexual thugs....gross. I like the cute females, yes, I am being close minded, but am sticking with it.

[Raine]

6. YIKES 😯 they're so cute I had no idea they were so uh depraved! 😫 nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. Orcas are even worse.

Trust me.

[GulfCoast66]

8. The writer of this is no scientist.

Cautions against holding animals to our moral standards and then does just that.

Animals have no morals per se. They just do what they do.

By our standards few, or no predator would pass muster. Wild dogs and wolves start eating their victims while still alive. Male dolphins often capture females and hold them for sex. You ever see duck sex? A group of males sometimes kill the female. The examples are endless.

[MoonRiver]

9. "Animals have no morals. They just do what they do." Sounds like Chump.

Am I wrong?

[Silent3]

10. It's tongue-in-cheek

Lighten up, Francis!

There's nothing particularly scientific (nor anti-scientific) about thinking an animal is cute and adorable either. It's a science-neutral position to call otters assholes.

[Solly Mack]

4. Won't be able to put that in its pockets.

I love otters. I'm also fond of sharks.