A curious new resident is making a splash at the Lincoln Park Zoo— meet Tucker the 6 year-old River Otter.
The adorable semiaquatic critter recently arrived from the Roosevelt Park Zoo, in Minot North Dakota, and has been acclimating well to his new home.
According to the zoo, the playful water weasel has been thriving in training sessions and indulging in rib bone treats twice a week.
Fun facts about river otters courtesy of the LP Zoo
- River Otters have two coats of fur, insulating them in cold waters
- The animals have webbed feet and streamlined bodies, making them well equipped for underwater life
- A unique third eyelid trait allows the otters to see underwater
- River Otters can hold their breath underwater for up to 8 minutes and can swim as fast as 8 mph
- The animals are a “keystone species,” meaning their presence in an ecosystem signals healthy water quality
- The otters were once endangered in Illinois but have since rebounded tremendously
Guests can head to the zoo this summer to watch Tucker play and swim at the Pritzker Family Play Zoo’s outdoor habitat and inside the Children’s Zoo building.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is free and open to the public 365 days a year.