[richlevy]

Originally Posted by casimendocina

Great pics. What's the thing doing backstroke in the lake in picture 1? (my excuse for not knowing is that my wildlife identification skills are limited to emus and other Australian native animals).

My guess is the sea otter. These guys lay on their backs to crack open shellfish. Also, the males are some of the 'bad boys' of all of the mammals.

But it is the truly bizarre that tells the tale. I hesitate to mention this next story, but I am a biologist and thus legally obligated to bring you Truth. So, here goes. According to a paper by B. B. Hatfield et al. (Marine Mammal Science, 1994, vol. 10, pp. 114-116), off the coast of southern California, there are male sea otters that have attempted to have sex with, well, with harbor seals. I know, I know, this is illegal in every state in the Union except, perhaps, Mississippi, but are we really surprised to hear that "Sea Rats" are capable of this?

Second source here

Male Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) have been observed clasping and mounting other males (in the water) in the position usually seen during heterosexual matings. Male Sea Otters also sometimes mount and attempt to mate with Seals, including Harbor Seals and Northern Elephant Seals, and some of these interactions may be same-sex.

Wow, Elephant Seals? Have you seen what elephant seals look like? Talk about beer googles.