Smooth-Coated Otter

Lutrogale perspicillata

Classification  Description  Status  Range  Habitat  Reproduction  Behavior  Additional Links

Classification 

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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Description 

• 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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Status and Threats

• 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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Range

• Southern and Southeast Asia, India, and China, as well as a small population in Iraq

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Habitat

• 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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Reproduction

• 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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Behavior

• 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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Additional Links

• IUCN

• Otterjoy

• Otternet: smooth otter

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For more information email the SCTAG Education Liaison

PAGE CREATED BY JOANNE WALSH, PJC ZOOTECH STUDENT FALL 2005