05/29/2026
During a keeper talk at the San Diego Zoo, a mother otter came right up to the glass to show visitors her new baby.
The crowd barely had time to react before the father appeared beside her, pressing his own prized possession to the glass: a smooth, personal rock he carries everywhere.
The moment drew the biggest laughs of the day.
It turns out he had good reason to be proud.
Asian small-clawed otters keep a favorite rock stored in a small skin pouch under their forearm, using it to crack open clams and shellfish for the family.
So while mom brought the baby, dad brought his contribution to the household.
Both were equally sure they had the better show-and-tell.
