American river otters are great swimmers. They’re sleek, fast and can swim forward and backward. They can run up to 15 mph.

When they’re not frolicking on the river and canal banks, swimming or looking for a meal, they love to sleep. This otter group was recently photographed by Beverly Meekins “chillin’” on Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is one of nine national wildlife refuges in the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Complex. Pocosin Lakes Visitor Center, located in Columbia, is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. whenever volunteer staffing is available.

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