What does it mean to ask what an otter is 'for'? This question touches on teleology—the idea that things have inherent purposes. In nature, purpose is not assigned by intent but emerges from relationships. An otter's 'purpose' is not a pre-set goal but the sum of its effects: controlling urchins, nurturing kelp, storing carbon, and inspiring human wonder. Viewing otters through this lens invites us to see all species as participants in a dynamic web, where value arises from interconnectedness rather than isolated function.