Romp! - by Heide Island (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

An expert on otters dives into their wild and wondrous world

You've heard of a murder of crows and a pride of lions--but what about a romp of otters? In this informative and entertaining book, animal behaviorist Heide Island takes readers on an odyssey through otterdom, focusing on a family, or "romp," of river otters that live near her home in Puget Sound, Washington, while also weaving in research about otters around the globe. Tracking an otter nicknamed Patches and her three pups, Island observes as they hunt, play, and try to survive the various dangers in their environment.

But the greatest danger they face isn't predators or food-stealing scavengers. It's humans. Because while they captivate our imagination with their intelligent and social behavior, these charming creatures, like so many species, face an uncertain future in an era of climate change and habitat destruction. And we can learn crucial lessons about nature and our relationship with it by studying their adaptability, diversity, and personality, from the adorable sea otters of Monterey Bay to the giant otters of the Amazon.

Discover the dynamic world of otters in Romp!

Review Quotes

"Otters are fascinating intelligent, emotional, and sentient beings. I've had the pleasure of watching them romp around and hang out with their friends, and in this insightful, scientifically rigorous, and beautifully written book filled with facts and heartwarming stories, Heide Island explains how they play, socialize, hunt, survive, and thrive. It's clear that Island, an otter expert, isn't just a first-rate scientist and storyteller--she also deeply cares about otters, and so must we."
--Marc Bekoff, PhD, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter

"Romp! is my favorite kind of natural history read. Even though I've lived alongside river and sea otters for years, this book made me feel like I've only just gotten to know my neighbors--and they are fascinating! Island combines rich descriptions of wild places and creatures with healthy seasonings of science and hilarious firsthand accounts of the trials and tribulations of field work. I was delighted by Romp!"
--Amorina Kingdon, author of Sing Like Fish: How Sound Rules Life Under Water

"Heide Island brings a Jane Goodall-like patience and wonder to the world of otters, observing with both scientific rigor and deep reverence. Romp! is an intelligent study that never loses sight of its heart, written in prose that's as playful and engaging as its subjects. This is a book that will make you feel both smarter about the natural world and grateful to inhabit it."
--Jennifer Lauck, New York Times bestselling author of Blackbird

"If otters read books, they would really enjoy this one."
--Dr. Nicole Duplaix, founder of the IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group, cofounder of the TRAFFIC Conservation Programme

"This beautiful book captures the wonder, intelligence, and personality of otters in a way that reminds us why their survival matters so deeply. Island's observations shine a light on the fragile relationship between otters and their changing habitats."
--Charles Knowles, president and cofounder of the Wildlife Conservation Network

"As delightfully written as the otters themselves are to watch, this fact-filled book is a pleasure to read."
--Joseph K. Gaydos, science director of the SeaDoc Society and author of The Salish Sea: Jewel of the Pacific Northwest

About the Author

Heide Island, PhD, is a professor of biological psychology and behavioral ecology at Pacific University and a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Otter Specialist Group. Her research on the welfare of captive and wild otter populations in the Pacific Northwest, including her longitudinal study of Whidbey Island's otters, has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. She splits her time between a cabin on Whidbey Island, Washington, and a farm in McMinnville, Oregon, with her husband, Tom, and their dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and honeybees.