New pals: A toddler has become an instant internet sensation after a video of the boy racing a sea otter went viralYou could say they got on swimmingly.
A toddler has become an instant internet sensation after a video of the boy racing a sea otter went viral.
The video of the boy playing chase with a sea otter at the San Diego Zoo has scored over 1million hits in less than one week's time.
The video - the only uploaded by YouTube user mmoyerssd1 - was posted last Sunday and quickly caught the attention of animal fans around the world.
It shows a blond little boy running back and forth alongside the California zoo's sea otter tank, side-by-side with his new pal.
Somersaults in the sun: The otter, feeling quite social, playfully follows his every move even as the boy tries to trick his new mate
The otter, feeling quite social, playfully follows his every move even as the boy tries to trick his new mate.
The marine mammal is seen doing an underwater somersault in a bid to catch up and give chase in the opposite direction.
The boy giggles in response, running back and forth as passers-by laugh in delight.
San Diego Zoo: One of the largest in the world with with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species, it is known for its many friendly charactersThe zoo - one of the largest in the world with with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species - has become widely-known for its many friendly characters.
In March, a playful young panda bear named Su Lin grabbed headlines after cameras caught her having a roll in the snow and sticking her tongue out at spectators.
And last year Otis the hippo became a sensation after beaming a smile for visitors' photos as they posed next to his tank.
Playing with an Otter-1
source: dailymail