A sea otter and its pup in a naturalistic outdoor setting at what appears to be a zoo or wildlife sanctuary. 1:23
Monterey Bay Aquarium channel icon Monterey Bay AquariumOriginal creator 984K views Save

Mom is the raft for this sea otter pup

A mother sea otter floats on her back in the Great Tide Pool at Monterey Bay Aquarium, her newborn pup tucked on her belly. more

The pool sits right off the aquarium's back deck and is open to the ocean, so the waves that roll in are the real thing. The mother swims along without any visible effort, and she does it on her back, keeping the baby up on top and away from the rough water.

A wet sea otter floats face up in greenish water, holding something in both paws close to the face. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
The mother sea otter swims on her back, keeping her newborn up and out of the waves.

She's not shy with affection. She kisses the pup again and again, and now and then the two stop to rest beside the rocks.

Then, for a moment, they come apart. The pup floats fine alone, but the current splashes the little one around.

A furry sea otter floats with the head dipped below the surface, only part of the body showing. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Apart from mom for a moment, the pup bobs in the water by itself.

Mom is back fast. She swims straight to her pup and settles the baby on her belly again. She checks on the little one all the time.

After a long swim, the two climb up onto the rocks and fall asleep together under the open sky. The waves can carry on without them.

A sea otter and its pup in a naturalistic outdoor setting at what appears to be a zoo or wildlife sanctuary. The headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
A mother sea otter floats on her back in the Great Tide Pool at Monterey Bay Aquarium, her newborn pup tucked on her belly.

Even asleep she is on duty. One viewer caught the pup kicking mid-nap and the mother waking with a start to check on the baby. Any new parent knows that move.

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