Every job has its perks, from free childcare to a flexible schedule, but there are nothing but perks when it comes to working with animals. It’s impossible not to enjoy time spent with furry, feathered, and scaly friends, which is why @maggaroninchees even spends her lunch breaks with her animal coworkers.
On February 5, she spent time with a river otter named Ping, who curled up on her lap for the ultimate nap. There was only one problem—he had to wake up at the end of her lunch! Waking up the sleepy otter proved difficult, but the adorable video that came from the struggle quickly went viral.
Could this sleepy baby be any cuter? That big yawn instantly melted millions of hearts, but for me, it was Ping’s tiny paw gripping Mags’ finger that sealed the deal. Some people see a wild otter when they look at this guy, but others see a cuddle buddy and a friend.
“Why exactly does he have to get up?” @nrmhooah asked. That’s what everyone was wondering? Some pet parents are pros at moving sleeping dogs without waking them, but this seems like a more difficult skill to master with a wiggly otter.
As Mags explained to another commenter, the adorable otter wouldn’t have gotten any more nap time without her, anyway. @Aldenomagro asked, “If humans weren’t around and a little guy wanted to sleep in, would other otters wake him up, or would they let him sleep?”
“You underestimate how chaotic otters are to each other,” the animals’ caretaker answered. No wonder Ping wants to keep sleeping! He’ll get back to the chaos soon enough, but his time spent with Mags was a much-needed respite.
Working With Animals
Naturally, many commenters want to know more about @maggaroninchees’ amazing job. One commenter said what everyone was thinking when they asked, “So does this profession require a degree, or?”
Mags hasn’t specified what her exact role is, but there are many ways a person can begin working with animals. Volunteer opportunities are a great way to begin, though more advanced positions, like animal behaviorist, will require more formal education.
The good news is that otters are just as entertaining for their visitors as they are for their caretakers! It can be as easy as visiting the aquarium or watching a video like this one to get your daily dose of river otter cuteness.
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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.