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. 

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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)