Asian small-clawed otter

Asian small-clawed otter Aonyx cinereus

ClassMammalia
OrderCarnivora
FamilyMustelidae
Size36-45cm
Weight2.4–3.8kg
Gestation2 months
Birth2-4
Life-spanup to 20 years in captivity
Diet
carnivorous (crabs, crustaceans, molluscs, fish, amphibians...)

Habitat
coastal regions, lakes, rivers, mangroves, marshes

Range
Asia (India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, New Guinea)


These are the smallest of all otters. They are sociable and very playful.
 
As much at ease on land as in the water, where they propel themselves with their paws and use their tails as rudders, Asian small-clawed otters live in groups of up to a dozen.
 
Both males and females raise the young, which at birth weigh about 50g and have closed eyes. The young learn to swim at about 7 weeks and start to eat solid foot at about 2 ½ months.
 
This species is endangered by the destruction of its habitat, pollution and being hunted for its organs, which are used in traditional Asian medicine.




Status in the wild (Source: IUCN)

  • Not evaluated
    NE
  • Data deficient
    DD
  • Least concern
    LC
  • Near threatened
    NT
  • Vulnerable
    VU
  • Endangered
    EN
  •  Critically endangered
    CR
  • Extinct in the wild
    EW
  • Extinct
    EX

In the zoo