Most jobs come with a few perks. Some offer flexible hours. Others might include free snacks or childcare. But if you work with animals, your lunch break might involve cuddling a river otter.
That’s exactly what happened to one animal caretaker who goes by @maggaroninchees online. On February 5, she spent her break with a river otter named Ping — and the little guy decided her lap was the perfect place for a nap.
There was just one problem. Lunch breaks eventually end.
In the now-viral video, Ping is completely passed out, curled up comfortably and clearly not interested in returning to his regularly scheduled otter chaos. When it’s time for him to wake up, the struggle is real.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Ping stretches, lets out a massive yawn, and even grips her finger with his tiny paw as if to say, “Five more minutes.” The adorable moment has racked up millions of views, with viewers completely melting over the sleepy baby.
Some people see a wild river otter. Others see the ultimate cuddle buddy.
“Why exactly does he have to get up?” one commenter asked — a question many viewers seemed to agree with.
When another person wondered if otters would let one of their own sleep in if humans weren’t around, the caretaker offered a hilarious reality check.
“You underestimate how chaotic otters are to each other,” she replied.
Apparently, Ping’s peaceful lap nap may have been the calm before the storm.
Naturally, viewers also wanted to know more about her job. While she hasn’t shared her exact title, there are many paths to working with animals — from volunteering at shelters and aquariums to earning degrees in animal science or behavior.
The good news for the rest of us is that we don’t need the job to enjoy the cuteness. Whether it’s a trip to the aquarium or a viral video of a sleepy otter who absolutely refuses to wake up, we can all get our daily dose of adorable.