North American River Otter - The BASICS!

North American River Otter

(Lontra canadensis)

The posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2... 

 

This is the ONLY freshwater otter in ALL of North America, 

and, as long as it can access fresh water for cleaning up,

it is adapted to use brackish and marine habitats to!!!

North American River Otters are highly adaptable to different types of habitats, but they are very sensitive to pollution and changes in water quality. They are extremely playful, and turn almost all regular activities into a game. They do not tend to pair-bond (though sometimes they do), but males will help to raise the pups if given the opportunity. Males tend to be more solitary than females, but they don't do well alone for long periods of time and will seek out the company of other otters.



This is the ONLY otter species in the world with a population status of "Stable".




Status: Least Concern and Stable



The North American River Otter has a very large range and can be found throughout most of the US (the map below isn't quite accurate, we'll be creating a more accurate map, it is not found in very arid regions). It's habitat overlaps with the sea otter along the west coast of the US.

There are TONS (if you could weigh content on the internet ;) ) of videos "out there" of North American River Otters! GO! ENJOY!!! (but in the mean time, here are a few from us!)

Let's just start with this...

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Genetic variation among populations of river otters in North America: considerations for reintroduction projects, TL Serfass, RP Brooks, JM Novak. Journal of Mamm., 1998 
>   Deciphering ecological barriers to North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) gene flow in the Louisiana landscape, EK Latch, DG Scognamillo, JA Fike. Journal of Am Gen, 2008 
>  Ten new polymorphic microsatellite loci for North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) and their utility in related mustelids, AS Beheler, JA Fike, G Dharmarajan. Molecular Ecology, 2005 
>  Characterization of basal seminal traits and reproductive endocrine profiles in North American river otters and Asian small‐clawed otters, HL Bateman, JB Bond, M Campbell, M Barrie. Zoo …, 2009
>  Perfluorooctanesulfonate and related fluorinated hydrocarbons in mink and river otters from the United States, K Kannan, J Newsted, RS Halbrook. Environmental science & ACS Publ, 2002 
>  Prey selection by marine-coastal river otters (Lontra canadensis) in Newfoundland, Canada, D Cote, HMJ Stewart, RS Gregory. Journal of Mamm, 2008

Neotropical Otter - Basics

Neotropical Otter

(Lontra longicaudis)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

Neotropical Otters latin name (Lontra longicaudis) means Otter with looong tail! 

I hope that you enjoy exploring them!

Unlike most otter species, Neotropical Otters are relatively solitary and are very elusive even in pristine habitats. Male and female Neotropical Otters meet one day a year for breeding, and then go their separate ways. Neotropical Otters prefer clear, fast-flowing water. Habitat destruction and water pollution are major threats to this species.





Status: Near Threatened and Decreasing

Neotropical Otters are found through most of Mexico all the way south to Argentina (except in arid regions). It's habitat range approaches the North American River Otter to the north and the South American River Otter to the south.


This species occurs in it's range from sea level to 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet altitude).








This species is very shy and elusive,s o getting good videos isn't easy!

A couple of Neotropical Otters together (wild)

Neotropical Otter videos, swimming and grooming (in captivity)

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Trophic ecology and the use of shelters and latrines by the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the Taquari Valley, Southern Brazil, CB Kasper, VAG Bastazini, J Salvi. Iheringia. Série, 2008

>   Ecological aspects of neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) in Peri lagoon, south Brazil

O Carvalho-Junior, AB Birolo. IUCN Otter Spec., 2010

>   Seasonal and spatial differences in feeding habits of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in a coastal catchment of southeastern. ML Rheingantz, HF Waldemarin, L Rodrigues.  Zoologia , 2011
>   Defining Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis distribution, conservation priorities and ecological frontiers, ML Rheingantz, JFS de Menezes. Tropical Conservation, 2014

South American River Otter - Basics!

South American /Southern River Otter 

(Lontra provocax)

The posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2... 

 

This otter shares large parts of it's the marine otter's marine habitat. 

Southern River Otters tend to have a very short life span. Few live to maturity, and only 1% live to 10 years of age. They are generally solitary, coming together mainly to mate. The female raises the pups alone, and there are no social groups beyond this.   They have territories like other otters, but the size of these territories is unknown and it appears that they are not particularly defensive of them.

Status: Endangered and Decreasing

South American River otters live in fresh and salt water habitats along the lower (primarily western) coast of South America, in red in the map on the left.







The habitat range of the Marine Otter overlaps in Chile with the other "most southerly" Lontra-otter, the South American River otter.














Southern River otter in captivity, eating.

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Understanding the inter-specific dynamics of two co-existing predators in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago: the native southern river otter and the exotic American. AEJ Valenzuela, AR Rey, L Fasola, A Schiavini - Biological invasions, 2013

>   Diversity of mtDNA in southern river otter (Lontra provocax) from Argentinean Patagonia

D Centrón, B Ramirez, L Fasola… - Journal of Am Genetic Assoc, 2008

>   Phylogeography of the Patagonian otter Lontra provocax: adaptive divergence to marine habitat or signature of southern glacial refugia? JA Vianna, G Medina-Vogel, BMC, 2011

Marine Otter - Basics

Marine Otter

(Lontra felina)

The posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2... 

 

This otter is second only to the sea otter in it's use of marine environments, only occasionally traveling up freshwater rivers in search of food. 

Marine Otters seem to be the only otter other than the sea otter that do not require access to fresh water to wash themselves. Though Marine Otters tend to be solitary, they are generally friendly (but not highly sociable) with other otters. They do sometimes hunt cooperatively, groups of two or three otters working together to catch larger fish. Also, Marine Otters have hairy noses! (Also known as the Sea Cat)





 

Status: Endangered and Decreasing

Marine Otters (distribution shown in yellow on the map to the left) live along the west coast of South America, from Peru to Chile, with a few noted "around the corner" in Argentina.


They tend to live in diversity rich areas along rocky shores with caves.


The habitat range of the Marine Otter overlaps in Chile with the other "most southerly" Lontra-otter, the South American River otter.













Videos of these agile little otters in the water are amazing to watch!

and on a rocky shore...

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Non-invasive genetic analysis reveals high levels of mtDNA variability in the endangered South-American marine otter (Lontra felina), Juan Valqui (Email), Günther B. Hartl, Frank E. Zachos, 2010

>   Phylogeography of the marine otter (Lontra felina): historical and contemporary factors determining its distribution, JA Vianna, P Ayerdi, G Medina-Vogel. Journal of Am Genetic Assoc, 2010>   The marine otter Lontra felina (): A review of its present status and implications for future conservation,J Valqui - Mammalian Biology-Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 2012
>   The late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: a genetic assessment,WE Johnson, E Eizirik, J Pecon-Slattery, 2006

Giant Otter - Basics!

Giant Otter

(Pteronura brasiliensis)

The posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, 

focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2... 

The Giant Otter is the largest (lengthwise) and oldest (evolutionarily) otter living today.

From nose to tail, Giant Otters can be up to 6ft long! Their tails are flattened and flanged, and very strong. Their ears are comparably small, and their eyes very large.  Giant Otters are at the top of their food chain. They eat fish, small caiman (basically alligators), crustaceans, snakes, and birds. Giant Otters are incredibly sociable, and often hunt in groups. They live in family groups of ten or more, sometimes up to twenty otters!

Status: Endangered and Decreasing


The Giant otter range (the area in which the Giant Otter lives) is the central area of South America, especially around the Amazon River Basin and the Pantanal Region.

There are loads of great YouTube videos of Giant Otters out there, but here are a few that we really enjoyed...

Giant Otter hunting...

Giant Otters and a Caiman...

Giant Otter pups at the Los Angeles Zoo

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Genetic diversity and population structure in the endangered giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis

RSA Pickles, JJ Groombridge, VDZ Rojas… - … Genetics, 2012 - Springer

>   Conservation genetics of the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmerman, 1780))(Carnivora, Mustelidae),DM Garcia, M Marmontel, FW Rosas… - Brazilian Journal of …, 2007 - SciELO Brasil
>   Social organization and territoriality of giant otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in a seasonally flooded savanna in Brazil,C Leuchtenberger, G Mourão - Sociobiology, 2008 -

Sea Otter - The Basics

Sea Otter

(Enhydra lutris)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

This species lives in the ocean, along the coast of the North pacific, enjoy! :)

Sea Otters spend their entire lives in the ocean, only leaving the water in the case of extremely bad storms. They are also one of the known tool-using mammals, using rocks to break shells open so they can consume the shellfish inside. It is important that they are able to do this well because they have to eat about 30% of their body weight every day!



Status: Endangered and Decreasing


The Sea Otter range traditionally rimmed the outlying land/islands of the northern Pacific Ocean from Baja Mexico around Japan; currently they are restricted to the sporadic range shown in tan below.

Sea Otters at Seattle Aquarium, eating, playing, cleaning, and watching the tourists!

Live WILD Sea Otter mom giving birth near Monterey Bay Aquarium

PBS's NATURE on Sea Otters

Another PBS documentary, thsi time from Jean-Michel Cousteau!

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Prey choice and habitat use drive sea otter pathogen exposure in a resource-limited coastal system

CK Johnson, MT Tinker, JA Estes… - Proceedings of the …, 2009 - National Acad Sciences

>   Southern sea otter as a sentinel of marine ecosystem health,DA Jessup, M Miller, J Ames, M Harris, C Kreuder… - EcoHealth, 2004 - Springer
>   Foraging patterns and prey selection in an increasing and expanding sea otter population,KL Laidre, RJ Jameson - Journal of Mammalogy, 2006 - BioOne
> Gene transcription in sea otters (Enhydra lutris); development of a diagnostic tool for sea otter and ecosystem health, L Bowen, AK Miles, M Murray… - Molecular ecology …, 2012

Eurasian Otter - The Basics!

Eurasian Otter

(Lutra lutra)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

There is a LOT of information "out there" about the Eurasian Otter,

they are the considered the "typical" otter

(just take a look at that genus and species name! ; ) ;

consider this just a brief intro, a sneak peek, at the only otter species 

that can be found on THREE continents!

Eurasian Otters are found across most of Europe and Asia AND in parts of northern Africa. They are always found near water, fresh or salt, as long as there are freshwater pools nearby for drinking and bathing. They tend to live alone except when mating, when the male and female may stay close together for ~ a week, or for females when raising a litter. Though they are excellent swimmers, Eurasian Otters can only hold their breath for about 30 seconds!



Status: Near Threatened and Decreasing


The teal area in the map below shows where the Eurasian Otter is known to exist; it may be found in other small sub-populations not shown.

For our Eurasian Otter videos, we have a treat, one of Questˣ's friends, Andy Coventry, takes some of the most wonderful videos (and photos) of Eurasian otters! 

Here is a link to a video he shared with us recently of 2 Eurasian otters swimming in the River Don, Scotland.

Video about the Eurasian Otter Conservation Program, on otter conservation in Israel

 ...and here's some video from Pembrokeshire,Wales, taken by Dawn and Jim...

...and a white-tailed eagle after an otter's meal off the Island of Mull, watch closely!

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   An evaluation of field and noninvasive genetic methods for estimating Eurasian otter population size, P Hájková, B Zemanová, K Roche, B Hájek - Conservation Genetics, 2009
>   Competition between Eurasian otter Lutra lutra and American mink Mustela vison probed by niche shift., L Bonesi, P Chanin, DW Macdonald - Oikos, 2004

>   Chemical contaminants in fish species from rivers in the North of Luxembourg: Potential impact on the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), A Boscher, S Gobert, C Guignard, J Ziebel, L L'Hoste… - Chemosphere, 2010
>   The reintroduction of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) into the Netherlands: hidden life revealed by noninvasive genetic monitoring,HP Koelewijn, M Pérez-Haro, HAH Jansman… - Conservation …, 2010

>   Altitudinal gradient of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) food niche in Mediterranean habitats

L Remonti, A Balestrieri… - Canadian Journal of …, 2009

Asian Small-Clawed Otter - The Basics!

Asian Small-Clawed Otter

(Aonyx cinereus)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

This is the 3rd of the 3 otter species that are found *only* in Asia, !

The Asian Small-Clawed Otter is the smallest of all otter species, and also, arguably, the most social. They mate for life, and live in family groups of between four and twelve, and sometimes up to twenty, otters. The group hunts, plays, and sleeps together. These otters will travel a long distance out of water in search of new habitats. They don't generally dive deeper than their body length in search of food, and spend more time out of the water than most otter species.

(Was also known as Oriental Small-Clawed Otter).

Status: Vulnerable and Decreasing 

The areas in yellow on the map below show where the Asian Small-Clawed Otter lives in southeast Asia. Despite how adaptable they are, they have become extinct in large parts of their original range.

Asian Small-Clawed Otters are very social and gregarious, watch and see for yourself!

 Asian Small-Clawed Otters (India) caught on camera by Wild Otters...

Here are a few clips of a family group kept at woodland Park Zoo (who participates in the Species Survival Plan):

...a group of otters is, appropriately, called a romp... 

...otters interacting with a crow (starts @ 3.20)... 

...nap time at Woodland Park Zoo 

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Conservation of the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) in human-modified landscapes, Western Ghats, India, N Prakash, D Mudappa, TRS Raman… - Tropical Conservation …, 2012

>   Conservation of a river for biodiversity and ecosystem services: the case of the Halda–the unique river of Chittagong, Bangladesh, H Kabir, M Kibria, M Jashimuddin, International Journal of …, 2015

>   Science-driven management of protected areas: a Philippine case study, NAD Mallari, NJ Collar, PJK McGowan… - Environmental …, 2013

.

Smooth Coated Otter - The Basics!

Smooth Coated Otter 

(Lutrogale perspicillata)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

 

This is one of the 3 otter species that are found *only* in Asia, !

  
The Smooth Coated Otter prefers to live in undisturbed areas. They tend to be nocturnal, sometimes hunting alone and sometimes in large groups. Smooth Coated Otters mate for life, and live in family groups consisting of the mated pair and their pups (often including full-grown pups). Research demonstrates that the alpha female is dominant and determines hierarchy within the group, while the alpha male moves the group through their territory. Smooth Coated Otters are proficient both on land and in water. They are powerful swimmers, and on land they climb and jump quite well.

Status: Vulnerable and Decreasing


The Smooth-Coated Otter (in rust on the map below) is found through southern and southeastern Asia, with an apparently isolated population southern Iraq (it's current status throughout the rest of the Middle East is currently unknown).

Even though they tend to be nocturnal, there are some really good videos of smooth-coated otters:

A smooth-Coated Otter in the wild in India...

A family of smooth-coated otters outside of their den (thank you "Wild Otters")

...and night shots from "Wild Otters"

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Otter populations and their distribution in China–A review, Z Xaohong, P Yoxon, GM Yoxon

>   Shifting Paradigms in Wetland Governance: Shaping and Reshaping Conservation

D Joshi, AR Bhandari 2016

>   Conservation importance of Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area, Laos, for small carnivores based on camera trap data. CNZ Coudrat, C Nanthavong… - Raffles Bulletin of …, 2014
>   Al-Sheikhly, O.F. and Nader, I.A.. The Status of Iraq Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli Hayman 1956 and Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra Linnaeus 1758 in Iraq IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 30 (1): 18 - 30. 2013

Hairy Nosed Otters - The Basics

Hairy-Nosed Otter

(Lutra sumatrana)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

This is the first of the 3 otter species that are found *only* in Asia, enjoy exploring them!

Very little is known about the Hairy-Nosed Otter. It is endangered and rare. The nose is completely covered in hair, and the feet are webbed, with strong claws.The major threat to Hairy-nosed Otters is from humans: hunting, habitat competition, destruction, and pollution. Despite efforts to establish a captive breeding program, there have only been three of these otters held in captivity (all male).







Status: Endangered and Decreasing

 

 The Hairy-nosed otter is found in small areas scattered across the area shown in purple in the map to the left.











This otter is extremely reclusive and rare, so are the videos:

Link to Hairy-nosed otter video and conservation in Cambodia.

Brief vid of a young hairy-nosed otter entering the water!

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:


>   Food Habitats of the Hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana) and the Small clawed otter (Amblonyx cinerea) in Pru Toa Daeng Peat Swamp Rorest, Southern Thailand. Kanchanasakha, B.K. 2007. 

>   Keep wetlands wet: the myth of sustainable development of tropical peatlands–implications for policies and management ,S Evers, CM Yule, R Padfield, P O'reilly… - Global change …, 2016
>   Camera trapping for the study and conservation of tropical carnivores.R Sollmann, A Mohamed, MJ Kelly - The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 2013 -

Spotted-Necked Otters - The Basics

  Spotted-Necked Otter 

(Hydrictis maculicollis)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

This is the last of the 3 species of fully African otters, enjoy! :)  

Due to genetics work done on otters, this otter has been put in to a new genus, Hydrictis! (more about that in another post!)
Spotted-necked Otters are fairly small, weighing 10 to 20 lbs.They live alone or in small family groups, but often form social and hunting groups of five to twenty members. They spend more time in the water than other freshwater species, almost never leaving the water or water's edge. Resting sites, holts, latrines, and breeding areas are all right next to the water; they're not very agile on land, but, like other otters, the Spotted-necked Otter tends to turn everything it does into a game!

Status: Near Threatened and Decreasing

 The Spotted-Necked Otter is native to large parts of southern Africa, as shown in green in the map to the left.



The Spotted-Necked Otter's habitat in places overlaps the habitat of the Cape (african) Clawless Otter and the Congo Clawless Otter (shown in the 2 previous blogs!).








 Videos of Spotted-necked otters in the wild are few and far between, so... until I can track some good ones down here is video from the San Diego Zoo!

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:


>   Differentiation of two South African otter species (Aonyx capensis and Lutra maculicollis) from spraint based on partial CytB primer sets,MT Madisha, et al, 2015
>  Conflict between spotted-necked otters and fishermen in Hlan River, Benin,AH Akpona et al, 2015
>  Capacity building to conserve African otters,H Akpona et al, 2016

Congo Clawless Otter - The Basics

Congo Clawless Otter 

(Aonyx congicus)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

We hope you enjoy! :)  

 
The Congo Clawless Otters' back feet have small claws on the three middle toes, and very little webbing. The front feet have very small claws and no webbing. The front paws are very sensitive, like those of its close relative the Cape Clawless Otter, to increase it's success in finding food under rocks and in the mud.  Their short fur (providing less insulation) and the abbreviated webbing of its feet make the Congo Clawless Otter the otter least adapted for life in the water. Congo Clawless Otters are mostly solitary, only interacting with other otters when monogamous pairs come together to mate.



Status: Near Threatened and Decreasing.

The Congo Clawless Otter is native to the Congo Region of southern Africa, as shown in purple on  the map to the left.



The Congo Clawless Otter's habitat is mostly surrounded by the habitat of Cape (african) Clawless Otter and overlaps with parts of the Spotted-necked Otter's habitat..





Video from research done on the Congo Clawless Otter (Davenport, et al... 2011)

Naia, an orphaned and partially paralyzed Congo Clawless Otter, rehabbing during her first BIG SWIM, 2013!

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>   Local hunting of carnivores in forested Africa: a meta-analysis, 2014

>   Divergent Skull Morphology Supports Two Trophic Specializations in Otters (Lutrinae)

• Lori L. Timm-Davis, Thomas J. DeWitt,
• Christopher D. Marshall, 2015

>  Diet, foraging behaviour and coexistence of African otters and the water mongoose, DT Rowe-Rowe, MJ Somers, 1998

Cape/ African Clawless Otter - The Basics

 Cape / African Clawless Otter

(Aonyx capensis)

As promised, the posts this week are brief overviews of EACH of the otter species, focusing on recent information about each species and a vid or 2...

We hope you enjoy! :)  

The Cape Clawless Otter's feet have almost no webbing, and claws only on the three middle toes of the hind feet. The front feet are very sensitive and hand-like; they are so dexterous with their front paws that they are left- or right-handed, just like people are. They use their hands to dig for prey in the mud or under rocks. They tend to form loose social and foraging groups with other otters.  Like other otters, they are incredibly playful and are excellent swimmers.



Status: Near Threatened and Decreasing.





The Cape (or African) Clawless Otter is native to large parts of southern Africa, as shown in red on  the map to the left.



Where the Cape (African) Clawless are absent in the Congo region, they are replaced in that habitat by the Congo Clawless Otter.











In this video, Ottie , an African Clawless otter rehabbing at the Back to the Wild Program, chases a butterfly in his free time! (thank you Audrey Delsink)

...and here is a group together near Table Mountain National Park, South Africa. (thank you TMNP!)

If you want more in-depth reading a few research articles you could explore on these otters includes:

>  Angelici, F.M., Politano, E., Bogudue, A.J. and Luiselli, L. 2005. Distribution and habitat of otters (Aonyx capensis and Lutra maculicollis) in southern Nigeria. Italian Journal of Zoology 72(3): 223-227.
>  Dixon, R.K., Smith, J. and Guill, S. 2003. Life on the Edge: Vulnerability and Adaptation of African Ecosystems to Global Climate Change. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 8: 93-113.
>  Differentiation of two South African otter species from spraint based on partial CytB primer cells

ALL Otters Week! (we have our reasons... but you benefit! ;)

This week we'll be looking at... wait for it... OTTERS!
Which otters?!?

ALL OTTERS!

We'll take a brief peek each day at what is currently going on with each of the otter species around the world, right now...

First, some basic info about each species. There are 13 known modern species of otters, spread out across 5 of the 7 continents of the world.  Otters are not found in Australia, the surrounding islands, or Antarctica. See map above for distribution of specific species.


 Currently all, but one, of the species are experiencing a decline in populations. Five otter species are considered endangered, 2 are considered vulnerable (or near threatened), 5 are listed as near threatened, and only one of the species listed is in the category of "least concern" by the IUCN Otter Specialist Group.

Otter species status:	Status	Population Trend
Sea Otter ~ Enhydra lutris	Endangered	Decreasing
North American River Otter ~ Lontra canadensis	Least Concern	Stable
Neotropical Otter ~ Lontra longicaudis	Near Threatened	Decreasing
Marine Otter ~ Lontra felina	Endangered	Decreasing
South American River Otter ~ Lontra provocax	Endangered	Decreasing
Giant Otter ~ Pteronura brasiliensis	Endangered	Decreasing
Spotted-Necked Otter ~ Hydrictis maculicollis	Near Threatened	Decreasing
African/Cape Clawless Otter ~ Aonyx capensis	Near Threatened	Decreasing
Congo Clawless Otter ~ Aonyx congicus	Near Threatened	Decreasing
Eurasian Otter ~ Lutra lutra	Near Threatened	Decreasing
Hairy Nosed Otter ~ Lutra sumatrana	Endangered	Decreasing
Smooth Coated Otter ~ Lutrogale perspicillata	Vulnerable	Decreasing
Asian Small-Clawed Otter ~ Aonyx cinereus	Vulnerable	Decreasing

An introduction to each otter species...

Sea Otter ~ Enhydra lutris Sea Otters spend their entire lives in the ocean, only leaving the water in the case of extremely bad storms. They are also one of the known tool-using mammals, using rocks to break shells open so they can consume the shellfish inside. It is important that they are able to do this well because they have to eat about 30% of their body weight every day!

North American River Otter ~ Lontra canadensis North American River Otters are highly adaptable to different types of habitats, but are very sensitive to pollution and changes in water quality. They are extremely playful, and turn almost all regular activities into a game. They do not tend to pair-bond (though sometimes they do), but males will help to raise the pups if given the opportunity. Males tend to be more solitary than females, but they don't do well alone for long periods of time and will seek out the company of other otters.

Neotropical Otter ~ Lontra longicaudis Unlike most otter species, Neotropical Otters are relatively solitary. Male and female Neotropical Otters meet one day a year for breeding, and then go their separate ways. Neotropical Otters prefer clear, fast-flowing water. Habitat destruction and water pollution are major threats to this species.

Marine Otter ~ Lontra felina Marine Otters seem to be the only otter other than the sea otter that do not require access to fresh water to wash themselves. Though Marine Otters tend to be solitary, they are generally friendly (but not highly sociable) with other otters. They do sometimes hunt cooperatively, groups of two or three otters working together to catch larger fish. Also, Marine Otters have hairy noses! (Also known as the Sea Cat)

Southern River Otter ~ Lontra provocax Southern River Otters tend to have a very short life span. Few live to maturity, and only 1% live to 10 years of age. They are generally solitary, coming together mainly to mate. The female raises the pups alone, and there are no social groups beyond this.   They have territories like other otters, but the size of these territories is unknown and it appears that they are not particularly defensive of them.

Giant Otter ~ Pteronura brasiliensis From nose to tail, Giant Otters can be up to 6ft long! Their tails are flattened and flanged, and very strong. Their ears are comparably small, and their eyes very large.  Giant Otters are at the top of the Brazilian food chain. They eat fish, small caiman, crustaceans, snakes, and birds. Giant Otters are incredibly sociable, and often hunt in groups. They live in family groups of ten or more, sometimes up to twenty otters!

Spotted-Necked Otter ~ Hydrictis maculicollis Due to genetics work done on otters, this otter has been put in to a new genus, Hydrictis! (more about that in an other post!) Spotted-necked Otters are fairly small, weighing form 10 to 20 lbs.They live alone or in small family groups, but often form social and hunting groups of five to twenty members. They spend more time in the water than other freshwater species, almost never leaving the water's edge. Resting sites, holts, latrines, and breeding areas are all right next to the water; they are not very agile on land. Like other otters, the Spotted-necked Otter tends to turn everything it does into a game.

Cape/African Clawless Otter ~ Aonyx capensis The Cape Clawless Otter's feet have almost no webbing, and claws only on the three middle toes of the hind feet. The front feet are very sensitive and hand-like. In fact, they are so dexterous with their front paws that they are left- or right-handed, just like people are. They use their hands to dig for prey in the mud or under rocks. They tend to form loose social and foraging groups with other otters.  Like other otters, they are incredibly playful and are excellent swimmers.They don't spend as much time in the water as other otters, and are willing to travel farther from it in search of a new home. (Also known as African Clawless Otter)

Congo Clawless Otter ~ Aonyx congicus Congo Clawless Otters' back feet have small claws on the three middle toes, and very little webbing. The front feet have very small claws and no webbing. The front paws are very sensitive, like those of its close relative the Cape Clawless Otter, to increase success in finding food under rocks and in the mud.  Their short fur (providing less insulation) and the abbreviated webbing of its feet make the Congo Clawless Otter the least adapted otter for life in the water. Congo Clawless Otters are mostly solitary, only interacting with other otters when monogamous pairs come together to mate.

Eurasian Otter ~ Lutra lutra Eurasian Otters are found almost everywhere in Europe and Asia that is near water, fresh or salt, as long as there are freshwater pools nearby for drinking and bathing. They tend to live alone except when mating, when the male and female may stay close together for about a week, or for females, when raising a litter. Though they are excellent swimmers, Eurasian Otters can only hold their breath for about 30 seconds!

Hairy Nosed Otter ~ Lutra sumatrana Very little is known about the Hairy Nosed Otter. It is endangered and incredibly rare. The nose is completely covered in hair, and the feet are webbed, with strong claws.The major threat to Hairy Nosed Otters is from humans: hunting, habitat competition, destruction, and pollution. Despite efforts to establish a captive breeding program, there have only been three of these otters held in captivity (and unfortunately, all male).

Smooth Coated Otter ~ Lutrogale perspicillata  The Smooth Coated Otter prefers to live in undisturbed areas. They hunt during the day and at night, sometimes alone and sometimes in large groups. Smooth Coated Otters mate for life, and live in family groups consisting of the mated pair and their pups (often including full-grown pups). The alpha female is dominant and determines hierarchy within the group, while the alpha male moves the group through their territory. Smooth Coated Otters are proficient both on land and in water. They are powerful swimmers, and on land they climb and jump quite well.

Asian Small-Clawed Otter ~ Aonyx cinereus  The Asian Small-Clawed Otter is the smallest of all otter species, and also the most social. They mate for life, and live in family groups of between four and twelve, and sometimes up to twenty, otters. The group hunts, plays, and sleeps together. These otters will travel a long distance out of water in search of new habitats. They don't generally dive deeper than their body length in search of food, and spend more time out of the water than most otter species. (Also known as Oriental Small-Clawed Otter)