Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) images and facts - this gallery includes stock photos of the largest otter species in Eurasia, the smooth-coated otter. It is notable for its short, velvety fur, and the fact that it is the lone member of its genus, Lutrogale. Its range extends from Indonesia in the east to Afghanistan in the west, and its preferred habitats are lakes, rivers and ponds with heavy vegetation, as well as rice fields, coastal wetlands, mangroves, estuaries and peat...
more »Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) images and facts - this gallery includes stock photos of the largest otter species in Eurasia, the smooth-coated otter. It is notable for its short, velvety fur, and the fact that it is the lone member of its genus, Lutrogale. Its range extends from Indonesia in the east to Afghanistan in the west, and its preferred habitats are lakes, rivers and ponds with heavy vegetation, as well as rice fields, coastal wetlands, mangroves, estuaries and peat swamp forests.
Conservation status | Vulnerable
Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Mammalia > Order: Carnivora > Family: Mustelidae > Subfamily: Lutrinae > Genus: Lutrogale > Species: L. perspicillata
Binomial name | Lutrogale perspicillata
Synonyms | Lutra perspicillata
Smooth-coated otters resemble Eurasian otters, but their fur is shorter and more velvety in texture. Like all other otters, they have slender bodies, short legs, and a long, tapered tail; however, their tail is flatter than that of other otter species. Their large feet have five webbed toes with short, strong claws, and their hind legs are longer than their front legs. They are the heaviest of the Old World otters, as they weigh between 15-25 lbs. In addition, they can measure up to 51.2 inches long, including the tail. The smooth-coated otter's fur may range from light brown, to gray-brown, to very dark brown, but with a lighter colored throat and underbody. Like other otters, they have very dense fur, with a fine undercoat protected by thicker guard hairs. Their nostrils are widely-spaced, giving the nose a special prominence among river otters.
Smooth-coated otters eat fish, amphibians, snakes, insects, worms, snails, crayfish, shrimp, shellfish, crabs, birds and other animals they can catch in or near the water. They are considered nocturnal, but can be found foraging at any time of day or night. While dependent on waterways for food, they can travel extensive distances across dry land in search of suitable habitat. Smooth-coated otters are one of the more social otter species, as males and females work together to raise young and hunt. They have been seen in extended family groups of up to 10, including juveniles from previous litters. In addition, smooth-coated otters form monogamous pairs. Two to five pups are born in a litter, the pups are totally dependent on their parents for a month after birth, and learn to swim within two months. They reach sexual maturity at two years, and live between 4-10 years in the wild. In captivity, they may live to be 20.
The IUCN lists smooth-coated otters as Vulnerable. The greatest threat to the species is habitat destruction, followed by hunting. Natural predators are crocodiles and birds of prey, which may manage to catch young otters. It is believed the species has undergone a 50% decrease in numbers in the past 10 years.
« less
