Sea otters contain multitudes. They are both the smallest marine mammal and the largest member of the Mustelidae (weasel) family; they swim on their little tummies, but can also swim on their little backs; they are otters, and they are Zooey Deschanel’s daughter. But why? Well, I’ll tell you.

We learned yesterday that Zooey Deschanel named her three-month-old penny-farthing-shaped earring “Elsie Otter.” El-Sea Otter. Sea Otter. Also yesterday, she appeared on Today (confusing) to explain why she bestowed upon a human the name of a non-human animal:

“I love otters… she’s going to love them. We just really liked the name Elsie, and then we both love otters because they’re so sweet and also smart. They use tools, they keep their favorite tools, they hold hands while they sleep, there are so many amazing things about otters. They’re wonderful animals.”

They use tools, they keep their favorite tools. They hold hands while they sleep. There are so many amazing things about otters.

Indeed.

We can only hope the otters’ accomplishments don’t demolish Elsie under their considerable weight.

Image via Getty. Contact the author at kelly.conaboy@gawker.com.