In this video, sea otter pup 719 (see our previous posts here) practices retrieving food from the pool floor and catching treats!
In related news, Shedd Aquarium has released a "pupdate" for 719's fans. They write:
Shedd Aquarium’s newest rescued southern sea otter, Pup 719 is getting along “swimmingly” as she receives around-the-clock care in the Regenstein Sea Otter Nursery, and is enjoying a little “kelp” from her friends on the Shedd Aquarium animal care team. Now about 13 weeks old and weighing just under 15 pounds, the independent pup, who was rescued in January, is more playful than ever, swimming through strands of heavy-duty felt that mimics kelp, curiously sniffing new enrichment toys and hopping in and out of the water with ease. Her favorite toys now include colorful, stackable plastic cups as well as feeder balls – hollow spheres with paw sized holes that allow the pup to dig out seafood to snack on. She has also begun basic training sessions, learning to touch a trainer’s hand with her paw.
Pup 719 is continuing to reach her growth milestones, like weight gain, more independent grooming behaviors and eating larger portions of solid food, like shrimp. Trainers have even seen the young pup begin to sleep through the night, though she is regularly checked while she snoozes. Additionally, the pup has been introduced to a larger behind-the-scenes habitat, allowing her to dive a little deeper and acclimate herself to another environment Shedd’s four other sea otters enjoy.