Oriental small-clawed otter

Facts

IUCN VULNERABLE (VU)

Facts about this animal

The Oriental small-clawed otter has a glossy brown fur with a lighter coloured underside. Their hair is relatively short and very water resistant. The claws of the Oriental small-clawed otter are much smaller than other otters. And also unlike other otters, their paws are very slightly webbed, and they are capable and dexterous when using them. They can close their nostrils and ears to keep water from getting in when they are under water.

Did you know?
That the Oriental small-clawed otter is the smallest of the 13 otter species in the world?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	CARNIVORA
Suborder	FISSIPEDIA
Family	MUSTELIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Aonyx cinereus
Name (English)	Oriental small-clawed otter
Name (French)	Loutre cendrée
Name (German)	Zwergotter
Name (Spanish)	Nutria cenicienta, Nutria inerme asiatica
Local names	Malay: memerang kecil Semai: Kebög Tibetan: Saam
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Not listed

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ArtMechanic

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Indonesia, southern China, southern India, the Philippines and Southeast Asia
Habitat	Freshwater and peat swamp forests, rice fields, lakes, streams, reservoirs, canals, mangrove and along the coast (IUCN Red List)
Wild population	Unknown (Red List IUCN 2011), but population is threatened by rapid habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution.
Zoo population	666 reported to ISIS (2007)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 82 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

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Cfitzart

Why do zoos keep this animal

The Oriental small-clawed otter is rated near-threatened by IUCN and zoos maintain viable ex situ populations under an International studbook and regional conservation breeding programmes. Animals bred under these programme are now kept for educational purposes and serve as ambassadors, lobbying for clean water and the restoration of freshwater courses.