Otter

Early Hunter

The relative ease of taming an Otter can provide early survivors with a reliable food source as the Otter retrieves fish for them to cook, staving off hunger until better food sources can be acquired.

Pearl Collector

The Otter's ability to collect and rarely from fish can provide early survivors—and even advanced survivors with no ocean presence—limited access to these resources until survivors have the ability to go diving for large concentrations themselves. However, as they have a limited supply, leaving them on aggressive, even if following a creature out of water, can cause them to drown if a large fish spawn occurs, or they get trapped behind or under something under water. This…

Tip

Keep them away from s and , their low health renders them easily killed. Kill fish by yourself and have the otter gather the corpses. Otters can work in a team with ( brings fish, otter collects (prime) fish); however, the otter seems not to collect pearls in this case.

Alternatively, the Otter can be guarded by a (or any other herbivore, for that matter) set to aggressive. Take care and note that the guardian will attack anything, even the normally peaceful , risking both the guardian and Otter's lives, and the excess raw fish can encumber the Otter, possibly drowning it if left unchecked.

Portable Insulation

Like the , the Otter provides a stacking insulation effect to nearby survivors. Unlike the , however, the Otter can be carried around on a survivor's shoulder, which allows a passive insulation bonus while out and about. Leveling the Otter's increases the amount of insulation provided, granting approximately 75-82 hypothermic insulation and 34-38 hyperthermic insulation per 100% melee damage (converted to per-100% for readability; the actual value increases per %). The…

Artifact Transporter

Since the Otter's introduction at ARK's launch, it has been able to store as many of the same as its weight allows; this is despite the fact that no other creature (including players) in ARK can hold more than one of the same type of Artifact. This is a feature, not a bug. This also comes with a disadvantage: the Otter's ability to hold multiple artifacts is due to the fact that its inventory works as a structure, and therefore, it does not reduce spoiling time like other…

Backpack

Only half their inventory weight is put on your shoulder, meaning you can carry extra weight (Level Weight).

Companion/Pet

Because of their all around cuteness, Otters are a popular pet among survivors, especially with their ability to wear a hat.

Wingman

The Otter will attack opponents from your shoulder if they are within melee range. Although the damage isn't much, the extra hits could mean the difference between life and death for the survivor. (Level Melee Damage)