ASIAN SMALL-CLAWED OTTER
Class: Mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mutelidae
Genus: Aonyx
Species: Cinereus
Geographic distribution: Southeast Asia
Habitat: Wetlands, continental or island environments
Size: 50 cm
Longevity: 15 years
Weight: 2.5 to 5 kg
Sexual maturity: 3 – 4 years
Gestation: 2 to 3 months
Litter: 1 to 6 pups
Diet: Carnivores, small fish, crustaceans, insects, amphibians, mollusks, etc.
Protection Status: IUCN Status CR – Vulnerable
Description
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 onland. It is also perfectly adapted to aquatic life thanks to its two-layer coat: one layer repels water, while the other traps air for effective thermal insulation. These adaptations make it aunique species, equally at ease on land and in the water.
Threats and preservation
The Asian small-clawed otter is threatened by poaching for traditional medicine and fur, water pollution,habitat destruction, and illegal trade. To protect the species, efforts are being made to restore its natural habitats, such as wetlands and mangroves, in collaboration with local organizations and governments.
