I am sure I am the last person on Planet Earth to see this streaming video, but just in case I am not, I thought I'd share it with you. This is a pair of otters, one of which survived the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, that live at the Vancouver Aquarium. They are floating around their tank, asleep and holding paws. Why would they hold paws like this? Is it so a mated pair can remain together on rough seas? Or maybe you have another idea -- well, besides giving the watching public something to oooo and aaaa over!
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Sorry, I'm no ethologist :/ But alone in the face of a strange public, their love conquers all! :)
They do this so they can stay together while they sleep. Apparently they will "raft" together like this in larger groups as well.
A mother otter will also wrap herself and her baby in seaweed to keep them together on the ocean while they sleep.