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[title]If you can't make it to the Melbourne Zoo, you can catch up on some animal antics from home - including the cutest residents of all, the Asian small-clawed otters.
Otter parents Paula and Odie and their four pups (Murphy, Rodney, Gunther and Squid) are on camera 24 hours a day on Melbourne Zoo's livestream. The webcam captures their sleeping quarters, so you can watch them snoozing in a giant otter cuddle pile, which is just as adorable as you think it is. The otters go everywhere together, playing, swimming and sleeping in a group of six.
The otter family made their camera debut last year, and their livestream helped to keep Melburnians entertained during lockdown. Lockdown may be over now, but the ottercam was so popular that it looks like it's here to stay.
Melbourne Zoo wild sea life sciences manager Harna Burton says although the pups are now as big as their parents, they are still learning and developing.
"The family is so curious, vocal and energetic," Burton says. "The pups are very cheeky and love using their dexterous hands to investigate items like pebbles. The males [Murphy, Rodney and Gunther] are especially boisterous, but all of them are really interactive and enjoy spending time together."
There are numerous animal livestreams at Melbourne Zoo, including penguins, giraffes, lions, meerkats and a snow leopard. But if you, like us, just want to watch the otters, we'll understand.