The recent history of LEGO otters, from Patronus to Ideas

LEGO otters have undergone several changes since the animal debuted in the portfolio six years ago, and the Ideas set all started with Harry Potter.

The latest LEGO Ideas set to be revealed is all about the adorable and accurate nature of Sea Otters. 21366 Floating Sea Otters is by far the biggest LEGO otter set so far, but it's not quite the first time the animal has appeared in a LEGO model. Their appearances date back to six years ago, debuting in LEGO Harry Potter.

While we wait for 21366 Floating Sea Otters to be released on March 1, read on for a rundown of the surprisingly recent history of LEGO otters.

2020: The first otter Patronus

The first LEGO otter piece debuted in 2020 as part of 75966 Hogwarts Room of Requirement. It first appeared in a glittery light blue colour, representing Hermione's patronus. This would remain the only LEGO otter element for three years, leaving fans with a small glimmer of hope of finally seeing the adorable animal represented properly in the portfolio.

2023: Normal otters debut in rivers and the sea

Those hopes were fulfilled in 2023 as part of a major year in LEGO otter history. The animal element that debuted in Harry Potter returned in a more natural colour, representing river otters in LEGO City and even LEGO Ideas. 21366 Floating Sea Otters isn't the first LEGO Ideas otter model; that honour goes to 21338 A-Frame Cabin.

21338 A-Frame Cabin features one LEGO otter in brown, able to sit comfortably on two studs and sized appropriate to a minifigure. That model was launched in February 2023, preceded by City's 60394 ATV and Otter Habitat. The small City model includes two of the brown otters with minifigure-styled eyes, but would only last on shelves for one full year before retiring.

LEGO Friends also debuted an otter element in 2023, representing Sea Otters. The cute piece depicted an otter with an appropriately light brown face lying on its back. It features curved hands that would allow it to hold hands with another of the elements, as the animals do when they sleep. This piece appears in 41736 Sea Rescue Centre, the 30635 recruitment bag, as well as a magazine gift in 2024.

2026: Another patronus and the biggest LEGO otter to date

2026 is another big year for LEGO otters, returning to their roots as well as seeing their biggest model yet. LEGO Harry Potter's 76464 Cauldron: Secret Potions Classroom features the second Otter Patronus, using a transparent blue version of the river otter element again. It's a fun return to the origins of the LEGO otter six years later and pairs nicely with the biggest evolution of the LEGO otter to date.

21366 Floating Sea Otters takes the LEGO Friends piece to a new level with a 1,234-piece recreation of a Sea Otter, and our first otter pup in LEGO form. The LEGO Ideas model is to be released on March 1, based on a project submitted by Maximilian Lambrecht in 2024.

You can even combine two of the sets to have a pair of otters adorably holding hands. It's good to see both types of otters still represented in the LEGO portfolio, even in Patronus form. While the minifigure-sized otter elements are not available in normal colours at the time of writing, you can still find the animal in 76464 Cauldron: Secret Potions Classroom and the upcoming 21366 Floating Sea Otters.

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