History of Otters (That We Know Of) | Lindsay Nikole
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Otters have fantastic PR but do they deserve it? From a lion-sized prehistoric otter with the diet of a big cat, to sea otters literally living in the Stone Age with their own tool use, the history of these mustelids is wilder than their cute faces suggest. Meet all 14 species (yes, 14 there’s a new one as of 2024), and discover how the otter lineage evolved from early mustelids 35 million years ago into one of the most diverse semi-aquatic groups on the planet.
But the story doesn’t stop at cute. Sea otters are a keystone species holding entire kelp forest ecosystems together, capturing carbon at a scale that matters for the whole planet. And they nearly didn’t make it the fur trade collapsed populations from 300,000 to fewer than 2,000 in just 150 years. Learn how some species are still fighting back, why the exotic pet trade is the next big threat, and meet the one otter species that was declared extinct and then wasn’t.
Oh! And I wrote a book, so definitely make sure to grab it—Epic Earth out now!
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#LindsayNikole #otters #history #evolution
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ABOUT LINDSAY NIKOLE
Join zoologist Lindsay Nikole for vivid stories about evolution, animal behavior, and the wonderfully weird life around (and before) us. Each video dives into creatures you’ve never met and facts you’ll never forget, blending science with humor, visuals, and memorable explanations. From viral mystery IDs and prehistoric deep dives to myth-busting and conservation context, this channel makes complex biology easy and exciting to understand.
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Chapters
00:00 Mustelids & Carnivora Explained
04:54 Where Otters Came From
06:21 Siamogale The 100 lb Otter of Ancient China
07:03 Enhydriodon The Lion-Sized Otter
08:27 Enhydratherum & the Origins of the Sea Otter
11:36 All 14 Species: “Rapid Fire Introductions”
18:52 Giant River Otter The Longest of Them All
21:14 Sea Otters: The Most Aquatic of Them All
23:40 Stone Age Tool Users of the Ocean
25:03 Why Otters Hold Ecosystems Together
26:44 The Fur Trade & Near Extinction
History of Otters (That We Know Of) | Lindsay Nikole
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrc2iv2-G1FZ3VscM3zu2jg
@ViciousSpice_
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Omg please make a video on martens! Theyre the best mustelids!
@deepcrows
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
it honestly kinda pisses me off how cool you are
@Lontracanadensis
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Giant otters are cuter in person, for some reason 2D images just really capture the worst of them.
@jennycatzzbokii3680
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Ferret video next?
@CTCAC2000
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Lindsay Nikole is the BEST Lindsay…that we know of!!!!!
@karen7841
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
I've been waiting for you to do mustallids. I love ferrets
@realNephicus
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
7:39 – I don't know; an argument could be made she just has her arms crossed. "Draw faster; it's just a silhouette!"
😛
@mystictoad727
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Would really love to see a video of you playing your bad ass bass! ✌️
@Sirmorgarath
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
RIP Rosa.
@KangElla1666
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Maybe Siamogale is named for Siam (Psy-am), the old name for Thailand.
@aisle9
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
4:23 "Monica Fuks". I have nothing more to say about that.
@ArtblockInsomniac
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
I also call my kid batata! They're my little sweet potato <3
@jeffreyschweitzer8289
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Otters torture baby seals
@lynternet
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
mustelictus made me laugh for longer than i’d like to admit
@carliecombs6779
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
You'll probably never see this and it'll get lost in the comments, but I was wondering if you could do a video about the immortal jellyfish? Or jellyfish in general please 🙏🏻 regardless, I love your vids and youre awesome!
@Fortjul
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
2:45 I live for the way you say cats
@shaggybaggums
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
I used to collect otter poop for my local wildlife trust about thirty years ago.
Not as glamorous as it sounds.
Edit: Mind your head on that damn shelf, Jesus.
@queenrayne1338
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
I 100% read that as neurotypical otters
@voldem0rt
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Otter Babe for the wynn.
@alicevietti1974
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
OTTER DROP HELL YEAH BROTHERRRRR
@FaffyWaffles
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
We all know the best otter was Rosa. Rest in power queen.
@vvvoda
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
great stuff
@justforcommenting3973
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
13:02 I went to the Smithsonian zoo back in march and had the pleasure of getting to see a pair of Asian small-clawed otters, they are ridiculously cute. It was a warm day so the two of them were cuddling on a warm rock, and the photos I got were quite possibly the cutest thing from that whole trip.
@to2263
June 3, 2026 at 6:38 am
Gulf of America… she said Mexico 😂.
Comments are closed.