Search

Asian Small-clawed Otter
Aonyx cinerea

These otters are the smallest of the world's 13 otter species.

Home Range
Indonesia, southern China, southern India, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia

Habitat
Freshwater streams, rivers, and creeks as well as coastal regions, often near dense foliage

Diet
Webbed paws and great manual dexterity allow otters to grab a variety animals living near the water's edge, including crabs, mussels, frogs, and snails.

Reproduction
After a gestation of about 60 days, females give birth to a litter of up to six pups, usually one or two.

Social Structure
These otters live in family groups of about 12 individuals.

Status
Although these otters are not listed as endangered, they are seriously threatened by rapid habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution. Scientists consider them an indicator species—their population indicates the general health of their habitat and the health of other species in their habitat.

Fun Fact
Small-clawed otters have a vocabulary of a dozen or more calls, in addition to cries of alarm.

Share