Asian small-clawed otter
I.U.C.N status
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Identity card
Small fish, crustaceans, insects, amphibians, molluscs...
Did you know?
The Asian small-clawed otter, the smallest of all otters, is also the most terrestrial of them all. Its paws, equipped with small claws and partially webbed toes, make it particularly agile on land. It also remains perfectly adapted to aquatic life thanks to its two-layered coat: one layer repels water, the other traps air for effective thermal insulation. These adaptations make it a unique species, equally at home on land and in water.
Threats and conservation
The Asian small-clawed otter is threatened by poaching for traditional medicine and fur, water pollution, habitat destruction and illegal trade. In order to protect the species, efforts are being made to restore its natural habitats, such as wetlands and mangroves, in collaboration with organisations and local governments.
