Asian Short Clawed Otter  (Amblonyx cinereus)

Also known as the Oriental Small Clawed Otter or the Malaysian Small Clawed Otter. The Asian Short Clawed Otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring a mere 65-90cm, and  hardly ever reaching 5kg.  Unlike the Eurasian Otter its front feet are only partially webbed, but it has short claws for  digging in the mud and lifting rocks. If you ever get close to an Asian Short Clawed Otter take a look at its front feet closely: they are masters at using these front paws to catch prey, and are the only mammals other than the primates to use these with almost human dexterity.  They are very group orientated, and as many as 15 can be seen together although it is more common to find groups of 4-8. Their birdlike squeaks help them to locate each other in the wild, but their social vocabulary goes much further than this and they have developed something like 12 or more different calls. 

Research has shown that the groups are composed of a dominant pair together with offspring from successive litters and it is thought that the males and females pair for life.  They have large litters of 4 or 5 cubs, and can produce 2 litters per year, with commonly both parents bringing up the young;  however, unlike the Eurasian Otter they are not very good at rearing these young. 

Asian Short Clawed Otters live in a variety of diverse habitats from mangrove swamps to small streams and marshy areas, searching for crabs and small fish. They are largely nocturnal, returning to the cover of the bankside vegetation during the day. 

Troubles exist in Asia for these otters:  they are killed for their pelts and for their organs which are believed to have medicinal value. Also there are threats due to pollution and habitat destruction. The activities of many western logging companies result in siltation of the waterways and damage to streams used by these otters. 

Conservation status:

Size:  65-90cm                 Gestation:  9 weeks                 litter size:  4-5 cubs 

Weight: 2.7 to 5.4 kg

Diet: Crabs, Molluscs and other bottom living organisms. 

Threats: there is still a demand for live specimens for pets and zoos; hunted for furs; habitat destruction is becoming an increasing problem.

Distribution of the Asian Short Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea)

 Data based on Otters and Action Plan for their conservation (IUCN 1990) and world otters (IOSF 2005)