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Why otters ‘juggle’ rocks is still a mystery

Fiddling with stones looks as if it should boost dexterity, but a study didn’t find a link

Asian small-clawed otter

Asian small-clawed otters “juggle” by shifting a stone swiftly from paw to paw.

Cloudtail_the_Snow_Leopard/iStock/Getty Images Plus

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

A lovely, intuitive idea about why otters juggle rocks — that it helps them practice survival skills — might not be correct, new tests show.