Otters Set to Invade Mote Aquarium

Tampa Bay area residents who are suckers for cute, furry faces might want to put the Mote Aquarium on their list of places to visit in 2016.

The Sarasota-based aquarium announced it will debut “Otters & Their Waters” in early 2016. The special exhibit will feature North American river otters while giving visitors a chance to learn more about the watersheds these critters call home. The otters included in the exhibit area those that were orphaned too young to survive on their own and had to be raised by wildlife rehabilitators, the aquarium announced in a media release.

“River otters have incredibly interesting behaviors and can be very charming to observe, and we think this natural appeal will make visitors excited to learn about otter biology, ecology and the importance of their natural homes,” Evan Barniskis, assistant vice president for Mote Aquarium, said in a statement. “As animals that fish, roam, keep dens and protect their young in our watersheds, otters will help us highlight the importance of things like healthy wetlands, the food web that interconnects many species and the ways people can take care of watersheds — which dovetails with taking care of the oceans.”

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The exhibit comes on the heels of several other successful presentations, including “Penguin Island,” “Survivors” and “Sea Lions: On the Water’s Edge.” Once it debuts, it will be open from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. seven days a week at the 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway aquarium. The special exhibit will be housed in the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center.

Mote officials won’t say exactly when the exhibit will open. Instead, they’re asking fans to keep an eye on the aquarium’s website and social media streams for updates. The aquarium is also accepting sponsors and donors to offset exhibit costs. Email Erin Knievel at eknievel@mote.org for details.

Mote is a nonprofit marine science institution that is dedicated to research and education. Its aquarium plays host to thousands of visitors each year. For more information, visit it online at www.mote.org.

Photo courtesy of Mote Aquarium, credit Tracy Frampton/Florida Wildlife Hospital