Sea otter mother and pup, Monterey Bay, California, USA

We’re in California's Monterey Bay, where a sea otter mother gives her three-day-old pup a place to snuggle and provides us with a very cute picture. The pups are totally dependent for about six months, so mum will carry them around on her stomach like you see here. When the little one does go into the water on its own, mum will rub the pup to fluff its coat, which causes the fur to retain air bubbles, insulating it from chilly water and causing the youngster to float like a cork.
© Suzi Eszterhas/Minden Pictures