Animal inspired work is nothing new in the world of tattoos, but these otter tattoo ideas prove that the artistic directions available for these designs don’t stop at the classic, American traditional style.

Otters are playful, semi-aquatic creatures that are beloved for their mischievous disposition and cute appearance. They’re also hugely influential Native American animal spirit symbols

Found around the world, in oceans, rivers and lakes, otters are communal animals that spend their time playing, hunting, eating and lounging around.

They are often used to represent friendship, love and happiness. As the 71 cute otter tattoo designs in this gallery demonstrate, the floating sea otter makes a perfect subject for a variety of different styles and approaches to permanent body art.

1. Black and Gray Ink Cute Otter Tattoo Ideas

Source: @animaltattoodesigns via Instagram

Source: @joanna_kru via Instagram

Source: @mimi.moonshine via Instagram

Source: @mrcoffee85 via Instagram

Source: @sammy.tattoos via Instagram

Source: @susboom_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @tesiacoil_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @toby_jenkins_art via Instagram

Source: @x.tinaaa__ via Instagram

Source: @zy4n0se via Instagram

While black and gray work has been traditionally associated with numerous specific styles, these otter tattoo designs demonstrate the versatility of this monochromatic approach. This is not to say that the photorealistic, black and gray portrait work that has become a staple of black and gray tattooing is not suited for an otter tattoo, as several of these pieces demonstrate.

However, the more illustrative, expressive pieces here show that there is more to black and gray work than hyper-realistic interpretations. Each otter tattoo in this collection proves that these playful creatures are the perfect subjects for this elegant approach to design.