Otter Pup

South and Southeast Asia are home to the Otter Pup, sometimes referred to as the Asian otter. They are also known as oriental small-clawed otters and small-clawed otters. A diversity of habitats, including mangrove swamps, freshwater wetlands, and riverine ecosystems, support the Asian small-clawed otter’s success. It consumes small aquatic invertebrates including mollusks, crabs, and other creatures.

Otter Pup

It faces threats from factors like habitat degradation, pollution, and, in certain locations, poaching. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Vulnerable. According to evolutionary implications from a study of mitochondrial cytochrome B that was released in 1998, the genus Aonyx should be superior to it. When 1.5 years old, their genetic differences started to emerge.

Phylogeny

Members of the sibling group known as Lutra include the African clawless otter, smooth-coated otter, and Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx capensis). The smooth-coated and small-clawed otter species were hybridized in Singapore. Although maintaining the genetic make-up of their small-clawed otter ancestors, the young and their progeny mated with the smooth-coated otter population. In Singapore, there are presently at least 60 hybrid otters.

sea otter pup

A close-up of a small-clawed otter’s mouth. Asian small-clawed otters have dark brown fur that is paler below and somewhat rufous on the back. Its base fur is lighter in color. The cheekbones, upper lip, chin, throat, and neck are pale, whereas the sides of the neck and head are dark. It features an unadorned rhinarium and a tiny, convex head. The sides of the muzzle are lined with long, ragged vibrissae. The front of the head is where the eyes are situated.

About Otter Pup

The little ears have distinct traguses and antitraguses and are rounded in form. Its paws are covered with long, slender toes that are webbed to the joint. Small hairs cover the bottom surfaces of the interdigital webs. The four plantar lobes are narrower than they are long. The claws are small, almost vertical, and occasionally completely absent. There are four mammary glands in females.

The Location and Accessibility

Among the islands that make up the Asian narrow otter’s natural range are Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Palawan. In addition to swamps, meandering rivers, rice fields, estuaries, coastal lagoons, and tidal pools, it may also be found in a variety of freshwater wetlands. It happens near beaches in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and Arunachal Pradesh. It may be found up to 2,000 meters high in shallow mountain streams in Karnataka.

Behavior and ecology Of Otter Pup

Families of Asian small-clawed otters. The majority of the day is spent sleeping for the Asian small-clawed otter. It lives in settlements of up to 15 individuals. 53 people were counted in the Bangladesh Sundarbans between November 2014 and March 2015 across a distance of 351 kilometers (218 miles) at 13 separate locations. There might be one to twelve persons in a group. 

More About Otter Pup

When they are agitated, they yell to draw attention. Otters use their forelimbs to row and their hindlimbs to paddle when they swim on the surface. As they dive underwater, both their body and tails move. Otters move through the water rather quickly in captivity, frequently between 0.7 and 1.2 m/s (2.3 and 3.9 ft/s).

Diet Of Otter Pup

Small-clawed otters from Asia are munching away in the Edinburgh Zoo.
Crabs, mudskippers, and Trichogaster fish are the principal food sources for Asian small-clawed otters. Its diet is seasonal. As well as catching rodents whenever and wherever they are found in ricefields, it also captures cats, frogs, snakes, insects, rats, mice, Anabas testudineus, Channa striata, and other animals.

Reproduction

The mating and breeding behaviors of Asian small-clawed otters housed in captivity have been researched. Captive couples are monogamous. Oestrus lasts one to thirteen days for men, but between 28 and 30 days for women. Usually, mating takes place in the water. Pregnancy might last anywhere between 62 and 86 days. The interval between births is at least eight months.