Lutrogale perspicillata

Classification Description Status Range Habitat Reproduction Behavior Additional Links
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Subclass Theria
Infraclass Eutheria
Order Carnivora
Suborder Caniformia
Family Mustelidae
Subfamily Lutrinae
Genus Lutrogale
Species perspicillata
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Long, thick body
Short legs with webbed feet and sharp claws
Front legs are shorter than back legs
Neck is as wide as body and head
Ears set low on domed head
Small, round eyes set high on head and are wide apart
Short muzzle
Thick, velvety fur composed of two layers (guard fur and under fur)
Thick, conical tail with terminal half more flattened and tapered
Males are larger than females
Hair color is a raw umber to smoky gray brown color
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Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List 2004
Appendix II of CITES
Endangered on Schedule II Part II of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Protected by the Protection of Wildlife, Wild Plants and Conservation of Natural Areas Act 15(A)
Loss of suitable habitat
Water pollution from pesticides and fertilizers
Poaching
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Southern and Southeast Asia, India, and China, as well as a small population in Iraq

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Large lowland rivers and lakes
Peat swamp forests
Mangrove forests by coasts and estuaries
Rice fields of Southeast Asia
Rocky areas for dens and resting, as well as bank side vegetation to provide some cover whilst foraging

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sexual maturity at 22 months
Breeding takes place from August to December
Gestation 60 – 62 days
One to five pups
Eyes open at four weeks, learn to swim at six weeks
young are weaned at five months
leave at one year to find home ranges of their own
Life span in captivity up to 20 years
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Predominantly a fish eater, but supplements its diet with shrimp/crayfish, crab and insects, and other vertebrates such as frogs, mudskippers, birds and rats
Social and family groups (includes breeding pair and up to four young from previous seasons)
Nest and hunt together
Territory is marked by a strong musky odor spread on vegetation from anal scent glands in both males and females
Carnivorous
All four paws are used for swimming slowly ("doggy paddle")
Front feet tucked in and hind feet and tail used for propulsion when swimming fast
Ears and nostrils close while underwater
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For more information email the SCTAG Education Liaison
PAGE CREATED BY JOANNE WALSH, PJC ZOOTECH STUDENT FALL 2005