OtterMania
A trip to the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons is only complete once you have visited the resident river otter, Squeak.
Squeak plays in an 8,000-gallon freshwater tank that features windows both indoors and outdoors. Since the death of his companion Bubbles, Squeak has been the only otter at the Marsh Walk exhibit. That’s about to change.
Chessie Grace (top) has long whiskers, silky gray fur and chirps like a bird. The 10-week-old female river otter was abandoned by her mother in Ohio but now lives the good life in Solomons, bottle-fed every four hours and going home with her foster family at night.
Gracie, as she is known to the aquarists behind the scenes, makes a public appearance next week but does not join the otter habitat until after the exhibit renovations are complete in May.
To catch an early glimpse of Gracie, whose stage name is Bubbles per museum tradition, visit the museum for OtterMania.
Museum-goers revel in all things otter during this annual event. Children can dance the Swim with otter mascots, discover where otters live throughout the world and learn what makes the species special.
Visitors pretend to be biologists and learn what otters like to eat by examining stomach contents, then get tips on how to capture a photo of Squeak in action.
Feel otter fur, discover why swimming outside all year is great for these water weasels and hear fascinating tails of otter adventures.
Otters, like children, love to frolic and play with their favorite toys. The mammals are well suited for life in and around the Chesapeake Bay.
Otter lovers are invited to use the hashtag #ISpyOtters to share wherever you find these elusive creatures in the wild.
OtterMania: Tues., Apil 26, 10am-4pm, Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, $9, www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.