Random Juggling Otters And Other Species That Have Oddly Human Hobbies (12 items)

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  (#1) Otter

  • Lutrinae

  Just when you thought otters couldn't get any cuter, it turns out that they can juggle. But instead of using rubber balls, otters prefer to juggle with small stones and pebbles. Why do otters do this? One theory suggests that, like humans, otters do it for entertainment purposes. However, the fact that otters almost exclusively use pebbles, and don't exhibit a lot of play activity otherwise, indicates that the juggling might actually be related to eating behavior. Otters use rocks as tools to smash open mollusks to get to the meat inside. Juggling does tend to decrease when otters are well-fed, but that doesn't mean the activity isn't play related - after all, humans aren't at their most active after a big meal, either.
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  (#2) Beluga

  • Delphinapterus leucas

  Beluga whales can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, so you might not expect their favorite hobby to be as delicate as bubble blowing. Actually, they're masters of the art. The whales blow huge bursts of air through their blowholes when surprised, create streams of bubbles when traveling in pairs, and even make bubble rings. 

  What motivates their bubbly behavior? There are a few different theories. An extensive study by biologist Michael Noonan and his students on this phenomenon suggests that it might be due to boredom. The belugas that Noonan studied were residents of the Marineland Park near Toronto. No matter how much effort any zoo or aquarium puts into stimulating its animals, life in captivity just isn't the same as life in the wild. This theory is backed up by the fact that when belugas are busy with something else - for example, mating season - bubble blowing decreases.

  But the study also suggested that perhaps belugas blow bubbles for the same reasons that humans sing, dance, draw, or write: to express engagement with the world. 
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  (#3) Dolphin

  • Delphinidae Delphis

  You might think that humans are the only species with an artistic flair, but you would be wrong. Dolphins can be artists, too. While their work does tend to lean toward impressionism rather than realism, these aquatic mammals still express themselves creatively. A lack of hands mean that dolphins do most of their painting by holding a brush in their mouths, and touching it to a canvas or a piece of paper taped to a vertical surface.

  One of the most famous dolphins to dabble in the arts is Winter, the first dolphin to receive a prosthetic tail. Another noteworthy example is Chicky, who was taught by trainer Frank Sanchez to jump out of the water and pick up the brush on her own. According to Sanchez, "Chicky even started painting without me rewarding her with fish."
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  (#4) Japanese Macaque

  • Macaca fuscata

  A long soak in a hot spring, or onsen, is a popular activity for humans in Japan, especially during the winter. People aren't the only ones to appreciate this relaxing pastime, though - Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, are huge fans, too. Jigokudani, also known as Hell's Valley, is home to approximately 250 macaques who get through the area's frigid winters by hanging out in local hot springs.

  Many of these hot springs are actually the sites of resorts, so the presence of the macaques can be troublesome for guests and employees. Macaques can be aggressive, and they aren't above using the hot springs as their personal toilets. That said, the bathing monkeys can also be a major draw for tourists; as many as 90,000 visitors show up every year just to see them.
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  (#5) Turkey

  • Meleagris

  While there has been no investigation as to why turkeys are such huge sports fans, it's safe to say that they love to play soccer. While their version of the game may not include things like uniforms, goals, or even specific rules, it includes what's most important: running, kicking, and teamwork. Considering the fact that turkeys are native to the Americas, maybe next they should try a sport that originated there, too, like baseball.
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  (#6) Bowerbird

  • Ptilonorhynchidae

  Bowerbirds, particularly male bowerbirds, are master collectors. These  will decorate their living space with piles of items grouped by color. The items can range from apricot fungus to blue plastic straws.

  Bowerbirds collect random items for much the same reason that humans collect works of classic literature that they will never read: to impress and seduce the opposite sex.
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  (#7) Cat

  • Felis catus

  The Good Mews cat shelter of Marietta, GA, offers a unique service that benefits both cats and humans: cat yoga. The activity is meant for people, but the cats wandering around the room have plenty of opportunities to get their stretch on, too - or at least do battle with the dangling ponytails of those practicing their downward-facing dog (or cat). The yoga sessions also provide social interaction that prepares the cats for adoption.

  Similar classes can be found at New York City's Meow Parlor, and the NKLA Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles.
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  (#8) Common Raven

  • Corvus corax

  Ravens are among some of the most intelligent creatures on Earth. Aside from their ability to make complex decisions and learn through imitation, ravens also know how to have fun. Like human children (and some adults), ravens absolutely love frolicking in the snow. This could help them get their feathers clean, but it also helps the ravens reduce stress. Considering the fact that some humans haven't even mastered that one, there's a lesson to learn from these smart corvids.
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  (#9) Asian Elephant

  • Elephas maximus

  If you go on YouTube, you can find all kinds of videos of animals that appear to be dancing. While many of these videos are adorable, most of them don't actually depict dancing by its strict definition: a spontaneous reaction to music that can't be taught or trained. In other words, if a zoo employee is standing by with treats and encouragement, it doesn't count.

  A study by psychology graduate student Adena Schachner revealed that out of 5,000 such videos, only 39 animals appeared to be moving to a beat. 29 of these animals were parrots. The rest, surprisingly, were Asian elephants. Some people claim that the "dancing" is actually stereotypical ehavior that results from boredom, so the jury is still out on that one.
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  (#10) Parrot

  • Psittaciformes

  Everybody knows that parrots can talk, but some can also sing. Groucho, a 23-year-old yellow-naped Amazon parrot who performs at Disney World's Animal Kingdom, is a crowd-pleasing bird who can really carry a tune. Groucho knows seven songs by heart, and his trainers allow him to choose which ones he'll sing during each performance.

  Singing parrots have also appeared on Fox News, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, America's Got Talent, and more. Those are some pretty big accomplishments for such little birds!
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  (#11) Mouse

  • Mus musculus

  Most in-home habitats for hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats contain some kind of exercise equipment. This often takes the form of a wheel inside the cage, or a ball that the animal uses to transport itself on the floor outside the habitat. Many people believe that rodents use the wheels as a way to keep themselves stimulated during captivity, but as it turns out, there might be more to it than that. These animals might be using their exercise wheels for the same reason that humans go to the gym: to get fit, and stay healthy. 

  Biology teacher Yuri Robbers and neurophysiologist Johanna H. Meijer teamed up to do a study to test this theory. They set up freely accessible exercise wheels at two different field sites, and monitored visitors over three years. More than 200,000 animal visits were recorded; the majority were from mice. Even once the food incentive was taken away, these wild mice continued to show up and use the wheels as a neighborhood gym.
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  (#12) Dog

  • Canis lupus familiaris

  When you think about playing catch, two images likely spring to mind: a parent and child tossing a ball around in the backyard, and a kid throwing a ball to their dog. Whether the participants are human or canine, playing catch is a great way to exercise and have fun.

  As to why dogs love chasing down thrown balls, it likely has to do with genetics. All dogs have instincts to run after moving objects and investigate them, but some have stronger urges to fetch than others. For some dogs, playing catch is simply away to blow off steam and feel good.

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