Asian Small-clawed Otter (Lutra cinerea) lives in tropical mangrove swamps across Southeast Asia. It feeds on crustaceans and fish. Its conservation status is Vulnerable.
Fascinating facts about the Asian Small-clawed Otter
- At just 730 to 960 mm long and weighing up to 3.5 kg, the Asian small-clawed otter is the tiniest otter on Earth, dwarfing even the next-smallest species. Its head-to-body length can be as short as 470 mm with a tail that adds another 260-350 mm, while captive adults still stay under 3.5 kg.
- Hybrid otters are in Singapore: females of the Asian small-clawed otter mated with smooth-coated otter males, and their mixed offspring bred back into the smooth-coated population. Genetic traces show at least 60 hybrid individuals as of 2016. These hybrids carry small-clawed genes, revealing hidden gene flow between species.
- Asian small-clawed otters form surprisingly large social groups. They can live in bands of up to 15, and a 2014-15 survey in Bangladesh's Sundarbans counted 53 individuals across 351 km of waterways in 13 spots, with groups ranging from solitary to 12 members.
- More than 90 % of Asian small-clawed otters found in Japanese cafés share DNA with wild populations from poaching hotspots in southern Thailand, according to a recent genetic study of 81 captive otters. The species has been listed on CITES Appendix I since 2019, banning commercial trade of wild specimens, yet illegal capture persists.
- After a 185-year silence, a juvenile Asian small-clawed otter was photographed in Nepal's Dadeldhura district in November 2024, the first confirmed sighting since 1839. The lone record sparked hope that hidden populations linger in Nepal's rivers, but subsequent surveys have found only unverified scats.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatTropical mangrove swamps
DietCrustaceans and fish
About the Asian Small-clawed Otter
In the lush, vibrant wetlands of Southeast Asia, the Asian Small-clawed Otter glides effortlessly through the murky waters, its sleek, velvety fur glistening in the dappled light that filters through the mangrove canopy. With a delicate balance of playful agility and stealthy precision, this enigmatic creature navigates its domain, its webbed feet and powerful tail propelling it through the aquatic realm with a silent, almost ethereal, elegance. As it forages for crustaceans and mollusks, its remarkably dexterous paws, adorned with tiny, non-retractable claws, reveal a unique adaptability that has allowed this charismatic otter to thrive in its threatened habitat.
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