At the Zoo: Ode To An Otter
by Alexandra Feachem
Nestled within a shady enclave of the Valley Trail is one of the National Zoo's most entertaining exhibits. Children press their noses against the glass, or peer over the enclosure wall trying to catch a glimpse of the quirky inhabitants. "Where are they?" "There's one, there they are," comes the cry as five furry creatures lollop across the grass, through a hollowed-out tree trunk, and one after the other tumbles into the water. Torpedo like, they glide powerfully through the pool, diving down, spiraling, using their muscular tails for propulsion. This is the home of the Zoo's Asian short-clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea): Sadie, JJ, Ozzie, Otto, and Uno.
Each of the five siblings has its own personality and characteristics. Sadie, the only female and the eldest of the pack at seven, has assumed the alpha male and female roles, keeping her brothers in check, although sometimes contested for leadership by JJ. Ozzie and Otto are known for being laid back while Uno, the youngest at five years, is also the largest due to his penchant for food. It seems as though everything in life is a game to these creatures. Always digging and playing with something, this mischievous bunch causes keepers considerable work trying to maintain a pleasant environment. They have been known to move boulders that have taken two keepers to shift. "They are like never-ending little batteries, always into something," commented Belinda Reser, assistant curator of mammals, somewhat wearily. "They have all the time in the world to take the exhibit apart, and they do!"
Among the most amphibious members of the weasel family, the 12 species of otter are perfectly adapted for their lives both in and out of water. Their streamlined, sinuous bodies make them superb aquatic hunters, enabling them to swim much faster and farther than chunky aquatic rodents like the beaver. The numerous stiff whiskers around the nose and snout—and in tufts on their elbows—are sensitive to water turbulence and aid an otter in locating prey in murky waters. Otters have two layers of fur consisting of a thick, coarse, waterproof outer coat and an insulating, warm inner layer made up of much finer, softer fur. Watch them in water and the otters appear to be encased in a silver sheen. This is in fact a film of air bubbles that clings to the rough outer hairs covering the animals. Unfortunately for otters, their luxurious coats have also proved popular with people, and as a result, the numbers of otters worldwide have dropped considerably over the last 200 years.
The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all the otter species and one of the most attractive, sporting a velvety, burnt umber coat, white chin and neck, and pink nose. This animal inhabits the streams and tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Adult Asian small-clawed otters build their nests in burrows along riverbanks or in paddy fields, and both parents are heavily involved in the rearing of the young; normally two or three pups are born per litter. As its name suggests, this otter is distinguished from other species by its paws. With only slight webbing and rudimentary, peg-like claws, their forepaws are amazingly sensitive and dexterous and are used to locate prey in mud or under stones. Asian small-clawed otters are incredibly manual, bringing food to their mouths to eat, playing with it and anything else they can get their hands on. They are not great fish eaters, preferring instead crabs and other crustaceans, as well as molluscs, all of which they grab with outstretched forepaws. Otters are known to be very vocal creatures and the Asian small-clawed otter is no exception: No fewer than 12 distinct cries have been recorded from this territorial species, including different calls indicating anger and attack.
Although they are often hunted for their pelts, it is unclear to what extent, if any, this species is threatened. "Little is known about this species in the wild and survey work is urgently required," commented Paul Yoxon of the International Otter Survival Fund, which is based in Scotland. Their good looks and playful character have made them popular as pets in Malaysia, and in India and China there is a long tradition of training these otters to assist in fishing.
As an animal living at the National Zoo, the Asian small-clawed otter has been very successful. Always popular, there were initial problems in breeding these fun-loving creatures a few years ago, but Belinda Reser said the Zoo now has it down to a "fine art." In the past, problems arose while attempting to wean the otters at a critical point. It appeared that if they were not weaned by their 97th day, the pups' health rapidly declined and they would die shortly after. By introducing interesting live food such as goldfish, shiners, and crickets, keepers were able to stimulate the pups to chase, which in turn encouraged them to eat. Sadie, JJ, Otto, Ozzie, and Uno, all born at the National Zoo, are symbols of the success of this effort.
At the top of the aquatic food chain and with an extensive distribution, both in terms of area and habitat, all otter species are highly sensitive to any form of disturbance, pollution, and habitat destruction, making them excellent indicators for the status of the environment. They are truly wonderful creatures, and books such as Ring of Bright Water, Gavin Maxwell's true story of his life with otters, have helped inspire generations of otter lovers. Whether you are lucky enough to see them in the wild or at the Zoo, otters are always otterly amazing!
*Editor's Note: As of April 2007, one Asian small-clawed otters lives at the Small Mammal House and six live at Asia Trail.
(ZooGoer 27(1) 1998. Copyright 1998 Friends of the National Zoo. All rights reserved.)
