The largest member of the weasel family, river otters in South Carolina measure from 35-55 inches in length; their powerful tail accounts for about one-third of that stretch. They’re found around all of the Palmetto State’s major rivers and in every county,  favoring coastal marshes and blackwater swamps, where food and shelter are more prevalent.

- Otters’ cylindrical, aerodynamic shape, webbed feet, and strong tail enable them to swim up to 12 miles an hour. They are also capable of holding their breath underwater for up to four minutes and have glands on those feet that they use for scent marking to communicate with other otters.

- These critters are intelligent, social, and curious animals and they can be chatty. They communicate with shrill chirps, soft chuckles, low grunts, nasal snorts, hissing, and screams (!). They primarily do this to contact other otters, when they are distressed, and to alert others of predators.

- Despite their playful nature and adorable appearance, they can be aggressive during mating season. And moms of kits can be particularly tenacious when they perceive a potential threat, not unlike most animals. Otters have sharp claws and a bite force of up to 615 pounds per square inch. The average person's bite force is about 162 pounds per square inch.

- The best place along the Grand Strand to consistently observe area otters is Brookgreen Gardens. Although not endangered, they are threatened by pollution, acid rain, habitat loss, and illegal hunting.