There are so many fun reasons to visit the coast, from sunbathing and relaxation to water sports and swimming. We may be sharing the beach with other people on beautiful days, but if you’re lucky, you’ll end up sharing the beach with a few other locals: the animals! Whether it’s spotting whales or watching sea birds hunt for crabs in the sand, mundane animal moments can be the highlights of our beach days.
No one knows this better than California resident Meg Renee. On June 8, a simple walk at Moss Landing State Beach, about an hour south of the San Francisco Bay Area, turned into something much more special. After feeling like she wasn’t alone, she turned around to see an adorable sea otter lounging on the sand and wagging their tail.
Yes, wagging their tail! Dogs are known for tail wagging out of joy, but apparently, otters can do this, too. Take a look!
@megreneee22 Why does it look like he wants to hear the tea 😂#otter #beachwalks
This is too cute! With the way they’re posed in the sand, it looks like the California sea otter was waiting just for her. Those folded paws and that calmly wagging tail give such happy, friendly vibes. If only otters were pets and not wild animals!
“He’s wagging his tail. That means he needs pets,” one commenter agreed. I’m glad it’s not just me who would befriend any animal if they could! Otters are so charming with the way they use tools and hold hands while sleeping, but this thumping tail takes cuteness to an entirely new level.
Related: Baby Otter Cuddling with Cute Little ‘Whale’ Toy Has People Absolutely Melting
Other commenters like Wilson didn’t even realize this was a sea otter at first! She admitted that she “Genuinely thought this was frosted-faced Chocolate Lab in loaf form for a second,” and she wasn’t the only one.
Why Do Otters Wag Their Tails?
It’s easy to assume that otters wag their tail out of happiness like dogs do, but with otters, experts don’t know for sure. It’s no secret that both sea and river otters have strong, movable tails that help propel them through the water, but tail movement can’t definitively be tied to emotion.
Maybe the otter is drying off on the cool California beach, or flopping their tail to ward off flies. Who knows! All we know for sure is that otters are adorable, and this cutie is no exception.
This is such a lucky animal encounter. Otters are so special!
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