Animal Planet :: Australia Zoo -- Otters

Bonnie and Marie, a pair of Asian small-clawed otters.

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Otters

Bonnie and Marie, a cute pair of Asian small-clawed otters, share an enclosure at the Australia Zoo. The sisters were born in 1998 at the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand, the result of a very successful breeding program.

At 2 feet in length, one-third of which is tail, Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest of the world's 19 otter species.

They are called "small-clawed," or "clawless," otters because their claws don't extend beyond the fleshy end pads of their fingers and toes. Rather, they have hand-like paws with nimble digits, and are the only mammals other than primates capable of using them with human-like proficiency.

Their dexterous paws allow them an excellent sense of touch and coordination. Unlike other otters they capture food with their forepaws, probing beneath mud and under rocks in shallow water for crabs, snails and other mollusks.

Small-clawed otters live in Asian-Pacific countries, preferring swampy mangroves, freshwater wetlands and lazy streams for habitat.

They are very frisky and love to frolic about and play games like "chase" and "tug of war." They also love sliding down muddy embankments time and again.

When not having a blast, small-clawed otters like to sun themselves on rocks or take leisurely swims.

They live in loose family groups of around 12 members, all of whom keep in touch with each other via scents and sounds. Their vocabulary includes at least 12 distinct calls.

Mating pairs are monogamous, lifelong partners. Both parents care for their young, who are born small and helpless in a litter with up to five other pups. The pups won't open their eyes for 6 weeks, swim for 9 or take solid food for about 12.

Fishermen in Southeast Asia use small-clawed otters to drive schools of fish into their nets. The fishermen, who breed them for this purpose, will usually allow the harnessed otters to keep any fish that they catch.

	Name: Asian Small-Clawed Otter, aka Asian Clawless Otter (Amblonyx cinerea) Primary Classification: Mustelidae (Otters, Weasels and Relatives) Location: Southern India, southeast China, Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula and the Philippines. Habitat: Swampy mangroves, freshwater wetlands and lazy streams, spending most of their time on land. Diet: Mostly crabs, snails and other mollusks. Also fish, aquatic birds, frogs and other crustaceans. Size: Up to 24 inches in length — including tail — and 11 lbs in weight. Description: Dark brown to gray-brown upper parts. Pale underside. White areas on lower face, throat and chest. Broad cheek teeth. Small, streamlined ears. Trapezoid-shaped, pointy nose. Very short claws. Partially webbed toes. Finger-like front toes. Tapered tail. Conservation Status: Lower Risk (Near Threatened) Major Threats: Habitat loss, pollution and poaching. What Can I Do?: Visit the International Otter Survival Fund for information on how you can help.