Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter

Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter, sometimes referred to as oriental small-clawed otters and small-clawed otters, are a species of otter that are indigenous to South and Southeast Asia. In freshwater wetlands, mangrove swamps, and riverine habitats, the Asian small-clawed otter makes its home. It consumes mollusks, crabs, and other tiny aquatic creatures for food. Although it usually lives in couples, it has often been seen in family groupings of up to 12 people.

Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter

It is threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and in certain areas, hunting. It is classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. A mitochondrial cytochrome B analysis that was published in 1998 produced phylogenetic results that suggested the genus Aonyx should be its superior. About 1.5 million years ago, their genetic makeup began to diverge.

Phylogeny

The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), and the Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter form a sister clade under the name Lutra. In Singapore, smooth-coated otter males and Asian small-clawed otter females underwent hybridization.  The kids and their descendants rebred with the smooth-coated otter population while retaining the genetic makeup of their small-clawed otter forebears.

More About Phylogeny

Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter. The deep brown fur of the Asian small-clawed otter bears a hint of rufous color on the back, but is paler below. Towards the base, its underfur is lighter. The cheeks, upper lip, chin, throat, and sides of the neck are whitish, but the neck and head’s sides are brown. Its rhinarium is unadorned, and its short, rounded cranium. On either side of the muzzle, there are long, rough vibrissae. The front of the head is where the eyes are situated.

Size And Appearance

The small ears are oval-shaped with an inconspicuous tragus and antitragus. Its paws are narrow with short digits that are webbed to the last joint. There are short hairs on the lower sides of the interdigital webs. The four-lobed plantar pads are longer than wide. The claws are short, almost erect, and in some individuals even absent. Females have four mammary glands.

Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter

The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest species of otter found in Asia. Its length from head to body ranges from 470 to 610 mm (18.4 to 24 in) and its tail is between 260 and 350 mm (10.2 to 13.6 in) long. More over half the length of the body, the tapering tail is large and muscular, especially near the base. The size of the hind foot is 97 to 102 mm (3.8 to 4 in). Skull length varies from 3.3 to 3.7 inches (84 to 94 mm). It only has four postcanine teeth above and no upper premolars. Weights of adult captive otters range from 2.7 to 3.5 kg (6.0 to 7.7 lb).

Availability and habitat

The Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Palawan islands are among the islands that make up the Asian narrow otter’s native range. It can be found in wetlands with freshwater, such as swamps, meandering rivers, rice fields, estuaries, coastal lagoons, and tidal pools. It occurs in Odisha’s coastal regions as well as West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. 

Ecology and Behavior

Asian small-clawed otter families. The Asian small-clawed otter spends the most of the day sleeping. It inhabits communities of up to 15 people. In November 2014 and March 2015, 53 people were counted in 13 places along 351 km (218 mi) of waterways in the Bangladesh Sundarbans. A group could contain one to twelve people. Members of the group make 12 or more different calls in addition to a range of yells and whimpers.

More About Ecology And Behavior

They scream to get the attention of others when disturbed. Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter row with their forelimbs and paddle with their hind limbs when swimming on the surface. They move their bodies and tails when diving underwater. 0.7-1.2 m/s (2.3-3.9 ft/s) is the average swimming speed of captive otters. Wild Asian small-clawed otters are observed spreading their spraint at toilet sites with their tails and back feet. More animals smeared in large groups than in groups of three or fewer. 

Diet Of Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter

At the Edinburgh Zoo, Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter are feeding.
The main food sources for the Asian small-clawed otter include crabs, mudskippers, and Trichogaster fish. It has a seasonal diet. It also captures ricefield fish like catfish, Anabas testudineus, and Channa striata, as well as snakes, frogs, insects, and rats when and where they are available. Crabs at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary ranged in size from 10 to 44 cm in carapace width (3.9 to 17.3 in). 

Reproduction Of Baby Asian Small Clawed Otter

Studies on the mating and breeding habits of Asian small-clawed otters have been conducted in captivity. Couples in captivity are monogamous. Females go through 28 to 30 days of estrus, with estrus lasting between one and 13 days. Typically, mating occurs in the water. 62 to 86 days are needed during gestation. At least eight months pass between births. Both the male and the female start working on building a nest about two weeks before giving birth. 

More About Reproduction

Puppies have closed eyes at birth; they open in the fifth week. Puppies weigh between 45.6 and 62.5 g (1.61 and 2.20 oz) at birth, and after 60 days, they weigh between 410 and 988 g (14.5 and 34.9 oz). About 10 weeks old, they begin exploring the area around the breeding den. They enter and paddle in shallow water with the mother’s assistance at around three months. By the age of four to five months, they can stand on their own.