How does an otter breath in water?

Otters cannot breathe while in water. Otters must surface to breathe. They can hold their breath for about 8 minutes before having to come up for air. In most otters the nostrils and ears can be sealed when the animals dive. To assist underwater locomotion (and diving) all species have webbed digits. Otters' lungs can collapse slightly, which help them reduce buoyancy at great depths.