Smooth-coated otters
These animals is live at Colchester Zoo in Essex.
Smooth-coated otters are the largest of Asia’s otters. It's head-body length is 23 to 25 in. (59 to 64 cm) with a 15 t0 17 in. (37 to 43 cm) tail. Their weight ranges from 15 to 24 lb. (7 to 11 kg). The males are larger than the females. Their fur is velvety and thick and has two layers, the guard fur keeps the underfur dry under water to retain body heat. The fur is dark to reddish brown along the back, but light brown to almost soft grey on the underside. Its legs are short and strong, with large webbed feet bearing strong claws, the front legs are shorter than its rear legs, which helps with swimming. The thick, conical tail is more flattened than in other otters, especially at the end.
The smooth-coated otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. These otters prefer slow flowing waters and are found in lowlands, peat swamp forests, coastal mangrove forests, large forested rivers, freshwater wetlands, lakes, and rice paddies. Smooth-coated otters are adapted to water but are equally comfortable being on land and are able to travel long distances overland when seeking a suitable habitat.
This species is unusually social and mostly nocturnal. Family groups which include the breeding pair with up to four young born in previous seasons may nest and hunt together within a territory measuring 2.7 to 4.65 sq. miles (7 to 12 km2). These animals are active both during the night and the day. and hunt in groups Smooth-coated otters are omnivorous and feed mainly on fish. During the rice planting season, they also hunt rats in rice fields. Snakes, amphibians, insects, crustaceans, birds and eggs constitute a small portion of their diet. When they fish, they travel upstream in a 'V' formation. Small fish they swallow whole, but large fish are taken to the shore. Most of their foraging activity is in water. Nights are spent in dens that they dig in dense vegetation, among boulders or under tree roots.
These otters form strong monogamous bonds. Breeding is from August to December. Gestation lasts 60 to 62 days, and one to five young are born and raised in a shelter or burrow near water, which the otters excavate, or they take over an abandoned one. The pups are blind and helpless when born, their eyes opening at four weeks. At six weeks they start learning to swim. The young are weaned after five months. The father is permitted to join the group once the pups are weaned, whereupon he helps provide food for them. At one year old, young often disperse to find a home range of their own. A otter pup can expect to have a lifespan of up to 20 years.
Predators of this otter are large carnivores and crocodiles. A major threat to this species’ survival is the loss of habitat suitable for them. Large scale hydro-electric projects and land clearance for agriculture and settlement have had a major impact on this otter, as has habitat degradation due to water pollution from fertilizers and pesticides. Poaching occurs, primarily in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
There are no estimates of population numbers for Smooth-coated otter. Currently their conservation status is classified as 'Vulnerable' as numbers today are decreasing.
Smooth-coated otters
These animals is live at Colchester Zoo in Essex.
Smooth-coated otters are the largest of Asia’s otters. It's head-body length is 23 to 25 in. (59 to 64 cm) with a 15 t0 17 in. (37 to 43 cm) tail. Their weight ranges from 15 to 24 lb. (7 to 11 kg). The males are larger than the females. Their fur is velvety and thick and has two layers, the guard fur keeps the underfur dry under water to retain body heat. The fur is dark to reddish brown along the back, but light brown to almost soft grey on the underside. Its legs are short and strong, with large webbed feet bearing strong claws, the front legs are shorter than its rear legs, which helps with swimming. The thick, conical tail is more flattened than in other otters, especially at the end.
The smooth-coated otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. These otters prefer slow flowing waters and are found in lowlands, peat swamp forests, coastal mangrove forests, large forested rivers, freshwater wetlands, lakes, and rice paddies. Smooth-coated otters are adapted to water but are equally comfortable being on land and are able to travel long distances overland when seeking a suitable habitat.
This species is unusually social and mostly nocturnal. Family groups which include the breeding pair with up to four young born in previous seasons may nest and hunt together within a territory measuring 2.7 to 4.65 sq. miles (7 to 12 km2). These animals are active both during the night and the day. and hunt in groups Smooth-coated otters are omnivorous and feed mainly on fish. During the rice planting season, they also hunt rats in rice fields. Snakes, amphibians, insects, crustaceans, birds and eggs constitute a small portion of their diet. When they fish, they travel upstream in a 'V' formation. Small fish they swallow whole, but large fish are taken to the shore. Most of their foraging activity is in water. Nights are spent in dens that they dig in dense vegetation, among boulders or under tree roots.
These otters form strong monogamous bonds. Breeding is from August to December. Gestation lasts 60 to 62 days, and one to five young are born and raised in a shelter or burrow near water, which the otters excavate, or they take over an abandoned one. The pups are blind and helpless when born, their eyes opening at four weeks. At six weeks they start learning to swim. The young are weaned after five months. The father is permitted to join the group once the pups are weaned, whereupon he helps provide food for them. At one year old, young often disperse to find a home range of their own. A otter pup can expect to have a lifespan of up to 20 years.
Predators of this otter are large carnivores and crocodiles. A major threat to this species’ survival is the loss of habitat suitable for them. Large scale hydro-electric projects and land clearance for agriculture and settlement have had a major impact on this otter, as has habitat degradation due to water pollution from fertilizers and pesticides. Poaching occurs, primarily in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
There are no estimates of population numbers for Smooth-coated otter. Currently their conservation status is classified as 'Vulnerable' as numbers today are decreasing.