The U.S. Postal Service introduces a delightful new booklet of 20 stamps called “Otters in Snow,” which captures the lively and playful nature of North American river otters as they frolic in a snowy winter landscape. Created with original illustrations using pen and ink with watercolor, these stamps are arranged in blocks of four, each showcasing a different scene.

The first stamp, positioned in the upper left corner, portrays an otter poking its head out from beneath the icy surface of a body of water. The otter’s head is captured in a three-quarters profile, exuding curiosity and alertness. Moving clockwise, the next stamp features an otter sliding on its back, tail first, down a snowbank, showcasing the otter’s playful nature. In the third stamp, an otter is depicted chest-deep in a snow drift, facing the viewer with an endearing expression. Finally, the last stamp captures another otter joyfully sliding down a snowbank. The otters’ fur is adorned with clinging snow in the stationary poses, while the dynamic scenes in motion show small snowballs racing alongside the otters as they descend.

The “Otters in Snow” stamps offer a charming and whimsical portrayal of these beloved creatures, highlighting their adaptability and enjoyment of the winter season. Whether it’s the otters’ playful interactions or their ability to navigate snowy environments with grace, these stamps celebrate the natural beauty and resilience of North American river otters.

A denizen of riparian areas throughout most of the United States and Canada, this elegantly long and sleek mammal (Lontra Canadensis) is designed for life in and around the water. Besides webbed feet, it has a muscular tail, about 40 percent of its entire body length, that powers it in swimming and diving. Otters may look awkward when walking, but they are graceful as they twist and loop through the water, slide down snowbanks, or frolic in the fluffy white stuff. When they glide across the ice to get to an opening and dive into the water below, it is because they depend on river creatures for their winter diet. We may shiver at the thought, but their dense double-layered coats insulate them against the winter cold and keep them from freezing.

Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with artwork from illustrator John Burgoyne. The Otters in Snow stamps are being issued as Forever stamps. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.