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Hairy nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana)

This otter is called the hairy nosed otter because its
rhinarium is covered with hair. It once occurred from southern Thailand
and Indochina through Malaysia and Indonesia. In 1998 it was thought to be
extinct but projects funded by IOSF have found the species in Thailand and
Vietnam and recently it has also been found in Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
It varies from a
reddish chestnut colour to very dark chocolate brown with a very small white
throat patch.
The Hairy nosed
otter lives in a vast wetland ecosystem and in Vietnam this can be divided into
four main habitats.
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Reed Meadows: This consists
of very tall reeds that are densely packed and can grow up to 3m. The
standing water under the reeds supports abundant fish, crabs and molluscs.

Phragmites reed meadow
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Open swamps: Water is
shallow and covered by floating vegetation. The habitat has abundant fish for
the otters but no cover so the otters only use these areas for foraging.

The open swamp habitat
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Reed meadow mixed with
mature trees: The ground has much shallow water and the habitat provides the
otter with ample fishing the tree roots provide holts and dry land.

Melaleuca trees
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Canals: This is the main
habitat for the otters, they provide the main feeding areas and the banks are
dry covered with dense vegetation.

Canals and banks
The otters will
move from one area to the other often-travelling very long distances.
The main threats
to the otter are disturbance by human activities such as fishing, cultivating
crops and vegetable. These activities cause various negative impacts on the
otter habitat such as destruction of holts, reduction of food resources and
pollution caused by the use of pesticides. Hunting is another major threat from
1995 to 1996 hundreds of otters were trapped for fur with hunters getting
between $50 and $60 for each otter.

Skin of Hairy Nosed otter caught by hunters
Dr Nguyen Dang
supplied the above information.
IOSF is funding work on the Hairy Nosed otter in Vietnam if
you would like to make a donation

The Facts
Endangered status:
Insufficient Data
Length: 1.05 to 1.34 m
Weight: 5 to 8 kg
Distribution of the Hairy Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana)
Data based on Otters and Action Plan
for their conservation (IUCN 1990) and world otters (IOSF 2005)

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