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Romp!: A Journey Through the Natural History of Otters and Why They Matter
An expert on otters dives into their wild and wonderful 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 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 what otters have to teach us about the world we share in Romp!
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 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 what otters have to teach us about the world we share in Romp!
304 pages, Hardcover
Published April 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 12, 2026
It’s no surprise I’d be drawn to another book about otters. Living in Morro Bay, where they live and play right in the bay, they are more than a passing curiosity—they feel like part of the fabric of daily life, a reminder of how closely our worlds interact.
In Romp, Island—a professor of biological psychology and behavioral ecology at Pacific University—blends scientific expertise with a deeply personal narrative drawn from her sabbatical year on Whidbey Island, Washington. The title itself, taken from the collective noun for a group of otters, perfectly captures the spirit of the book: playful, social, and richly alive.
What sets this non-fiction book apart is the way Island transforms research into relationship. Through her time observing otters—especially three females who seemed to welcome her familiar presence, Patches, Crest, and Slash—readers are invited into an intimate world of family bonds, survival, and, perhaps most strikingly, play. Her descriptions—nipping, rolling, tackling, digging, marking—are not just endearing, but illuminating, revealing the complexity of otter behavior and its role in their health and intelligence.
Yet, this is more than a celebration. Running beneath the warmth of these encounters is a quiet urgency. Island does not shy away from the realities these animals face, drawing clear connections between their vulnerability and the effects of human behavior and climate change. The result is a narrative that makes it impossible to separate their future from our own.
Structured across 12 thoughtfully paced chapters, followed by an epilogue, extensive notes, and resources, Romp offers both an engaging reading experience and a lasting reference point—one that invites readers not only to learn, but to reflect and care more deeply.
Informative, immersive, and at times quietly heartbreaking, Romp underscores the fragile balance between wildlife and the environments they depend on. Through both her research and her storytelling, Island leaves readers with something more than knowledge: a lasting sense of connection—and responsibility—for these remarkable creatures and their world.
In Romp, Island—a professor of biological psychology and behavioral ecology at Pacific University—blends scientific expertise with a deeply personal narrative drawn from her sabbatical year on Whidbey Island, Washington. The title itself, taken from the collective noun for a group of otters, perfectly captures the spirit of the book: playful, social, and richly alive.
What sets this non-fiction book apart is the way Island transforms research into relationship. Through her time observing otters—especially three females who seemed to welcome her familiar presence, Patches, Crest, and Slash—readers are invited into an intimate world of family bonds, survival, and, perhaps most strikingly, play. Her descriptions—nipping, rolling, tackling, digging, marking—are not just endearing, but illuminating, revealing the complexity of otter behavior and its role in their health and intelligence.
Yet, this is more than a celebration. Running beneath the warmth of these encounters is a quiet urgency. Island does not shy away from the realities these animals face, drawing clear connections between their vulnerability and the effects of human behavior and climate change. The result is a narrative that makes it impossible to separate their future from our own.
Structured across 12 thoughtfully paced chapters, followed by an epilogue, extensive notes, and resources, Romp offers both an engaging reading experience and a lasting reference point—one that invites readers not only to learn, but to reflect and care more deeply.
Informative, immersive, and at times quietly heartbreaking, Romp underscores the fragile balance between wildlife and the environments they depend on. Through both her research and her storytelling, Island leaves readers with something more than knowledge: a lasting sense of connection—and responsibility—for these remarkable creatures and their world.
May 15, 2026
This was so so cute and very educational!!! Would recommend!
April 12, 2026
Thank you to @tarcher_books for my advance reader copy.
4.5 ⭐️. If you love reading books about natural history and you love otters, this book is for you. Informative without being overly scientific for the casual reader.
4.5 ⭐️. If you love reading books about natural history and you love otters, this book is for you. Informative without being overly scientific for the casual reader.
April 30, 2026
*read for a book review assignment*
I say read but I listened to the audio book, which was good to hear her mimic the sounds she wrote about.
I say read but I listened to the audio book, which was good to hear her mimic the sounds she wrote about.
May 17, 2026
Excellent read. Who knew that a group of otters was called a romp? Perfect name for them though 😀
Read
May 18, 2026DNF 23% I really didn't enjoy the audiobook narration for this.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews