The
Optimistic Otter
The
optimistic otter, Lutra ipsum,
is native to the northern steppes of Siberia. It ressembles its
cousins in every aspect, from its physical appearance to its dietary
habits. There are, however, some traits of its behavior and its
physiological capacities, that make the optimistic otter one of a
kind.
Presumably
as an adaptation to its harsh environment, where predators, both
human and animal, are never far, the optimistic otter has developed
an ingenious and unusual trait to protect itself. Unlike other
animals, when faced with a predator, the optimistic otter shows no
fear. On the contrary, it tends to approach its would-be aggressor,
displaying a number of behavioral cues that indicate curiosity, and
even affection (hence its name). This strange behavior momentarily
surprises its attacker. And a moment is all that is needed.
Through
a mechanism that has not yet been fully understood, the optimistic
otter manages to filter out of the air the pheromones belonging to
its adversaries, and, in mere seconds, starts synthesizing and
emitting those exact same pheromones. Those olfactory signals,
combined with the confusing behavior it displays, will make any
mammal predator change its view of the cute animal, and switch from
predator to protector in an instant.
Historically,
optimistic otters have been viewed as messengers of god (or even
deities in and of themselves) by the native people of northern
siberia. They are often found as pets in villages and isoloated huts,
some otter families having lived with humans, or other animals, for
generations. However, since the fall of the wall in 1989, their
situation has taken a turn for the worse.
Environmental
destruction that followed Russia's conversion to capitalism has
damaged much of their natural habitat, and otters in the wild have
become rare. And as the capitalists came flooding past Moscow,
feelings of love and affection have been pushed aside in favour of
greed.
The
optimistic otter has a particularly soft fur, and its pelt is prized
above most others. Hunters have traditionally shown mercy to the
animals, for the reasons mentioned above, but in recent years, those
who have heard of the creature, but never seen it in person, have
taken to go on the hunt with gas masks, to avoid the otter's
defences. In repsonse, the otter popuation has plumetted even
further.
But
there is hope still for our furry friends, as resistance movements
have started organizing themselves in the steppes. Locals have taken
to stealing, or sabotaging, the hunters gas masks, and several otter
sanctuaries have been erected in the region.
The
animals themselves seem not to care much, and keep approaching both
humans and animals with the same curiosity and big brown eyes they
always have.
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