Researchers studying kelp forests around the Shetland Islands were greeted by a surprise visitor that had snuck onboard their boat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe walked out onto the deck of the boat and, to our surprise, there was a sea\u00a0otter\u00a0just sat on the deck,\u201d says\u00a0Dr Dan Smale, senior research fellow at the Marine Biological Association, which shared the footage on\u00a0Instagram.<\/p>\n
The crafty stowaway was probably looking for a snack, says Smale, and may be \u201cused to going onto fishing boats and dive boats looking for fish.\u201d<\/p>\n
The scientists were in Shetland collecting data and samples of the region\u2019s\u00a0kelp\u00a0forests. Through their research, they are hoping to find out more about these important habitats, how many there are around the UK and how kelp supports the ecosystem and stores carbon.<\/p>\n
Diving in these cold waters is challenging work.<\/p>\n
\u201cProcessing the kelp on the boat was minus one [degree] with wind chill,\u201d says Smale, but the unexpected otter arrival was a wonderful surprise. \u201cIt was a really great moment,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n