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
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)
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 evaluatedNE
- Data deficientDD
- Least concernLC
- Near threatenedNT
- VulnerableVU
- EndangeredEN
- Critically endangeredCR
- Extinct in the wildEW
- ExtinctEX