Romp!: A Journey Through the Natural History of Otters and Why They Matter

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!

Author: Heide PhD Island
Publisher: Tarcher
Published: 04/28/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.04lbs
Size: 8.52h x 5.81w x 1.12d
ISBN: 9780593855034

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.