- Was born in February 2008 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, WA
- Was named by donors after a character in The Hunger Games; his previous companion Katniss was also named after a HG character, but she passed away in December 2016 after a prolonged kidney ailment
- Is considered “laid back” and “easygoing” by keepers, likes playing with his food in the large pool
- Is very quick to train, and responds to around ten different commands
Otter Pups
- Born at the Santa Barbara Zoo on November 12, 2021
- Four pups, two female and two male
- Started exploring their habitat in late January 2022
- Are healthy, curious, and super cute
Gail
- Was born in November 2013 at Greensboro Science Center, NC, and arrived at the Zoo in March 2017
- Was named by donors after Gale, the second of Katniss’ love interests in The Hunger Games franchise; spelling was changed to a female version
- Looks almost exactly like Peeta, except has more whiskers
- Is very “talkative,” and her vocalizations sound like mouse squeaks
- Bonded quickly with Peeta, and likes to put her tail over his head
Dexterous Hunters
The smallest of all the 13 otter species, Asian small-clawed otters’ claws do not extend beyond the ends of their fingers and toes — thus the name. They use their dexterous paws to feel through mud, in crevices, and under rocks in search of their next meal of freshwater snails, clams, crabs, crawfish, and frogs. In contrast, local Southern sea otters use their mouths to hunt and utilize tools like rocks to crack open sea snails and urchins.
FROM THE KEEPERS
”If Peeta wants something, he tilts his head to the side as if to say, ‘I’m so cute!’ He also knows his name. If I tell him ‘Peeta, no,’ he will stop whatever he’s doing. Then he puts his head to the side and tries that cute face.
HeatherMammal Keeper
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List confirms that this species is “Vulnerable,” due to habitat loss and poaching.
Shop Smart
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