An otter is a term used to describe a type of gay man within the LGBTQ+ community. Otters are generally smaller in frame and/or weigh considerably less than bears, but they have a lot of body hair, much like bears. The term is a subset of the term bear, which describes the stereotype of hairy and big gay men. Otters are distinguished from bears by their smaller frames and less rugged masculine aesthetic. Otters are part of a categorizing subculture (known as tribes) used by queer men to facilitate finding community and safely express sexuality and attraction. Other differences between these two categories are that otters are generally more accepting of more feminine appearance, behavior, and body types, such as twinks. Otters are almost always men, and referring to one is usually done with male pronouns. It should be noted that this is not always the case, so respect common LGBTQ+ community etiquette, never assume, and always ask for more information.