BUSY LITTLE OTTERS

In southern Bangladesh, otters have a very special job. It involves more than just playing and swimming all day long. They make use of their hunting and swimming skills to help some people do their jobs and earn a living. Do you know what their job is?

These busy and helpful otters help fishermen catch fish. Won't these otters end up eating the fish themselves? Not really. This is how it works - the fishermen lower a net into the water, and one by one, the otters dive under the water. The otters do not catch the fish themselves. Instead, they chase them towards the fishing net placed next to the boat.

Fishermen in Bangladesh have been fishing partners with otters for hundreds of years. But in recent years, fish populations have been shrinking and it is becoming more and more difficult to catch fish. This is because the fish find it very difficult to reproduce due to water pollution, over-fishing and other reasons.

If there are no fish left to catch, otters will not be of much use to the fishermen. Without their fishing jobs, otter populations may shrink. Short-haired otters are already considered an endangered species in Bangladesh and otter fishing is important in conserving their population.

Whiz facts about otters

1. Otters are mammals - they are warm-blooded and give birth to their young.

2. Otters are carnivores that eat mostly fish. They also eat frogs, crayfish and crabs.

3. Otters have an outer layer of long guard hairs and an inner layer of soft fur. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry and warm while in the water.

4. Otters like to play. They can even make their own slides that they use to slide into the water.