Aug 30, 2019 seeing a small family of smallclawed otters bounding alongside a small river would inevitably enliven my day. This creature lives in family groups that will usually contain 12 different individuals. The sea otter is the fluffiest among these three animals. They have a body length between 45 and 61 cms 12 24 inches, a tail length between 25 and 35 cms 10 14 inches and they weigh between 1 and 5 kgs 2. Template for animal care manuals iucn otter specialist group. Like all otters, smallclawed otters are good housekeepers. Mustelid, family mustelidae, any of about 55 species of ferrets, polecats, badgers, martens, otters, the wolverine, and other members of the weasel family. Little is known of the importance, sensitivity, and mechanisms of hearing in otters, in the aquatic or the terrestrial environment. These small social otters usually live in extended family groups and can be seen sliding on mud banks and chasing each other through the mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands of southern india, china and southeast asia. Observing the worlds smallest otter in action was always a treat and, delightfully, not uncommon some 25 years ago.
The zoo is now calling on local businesses to come forward and sponsor a pup to help name the babies and contribute towards the new enclosure which will accommodate the otter family. Asian smallclawed otter chicago zoological society. They stayed relatively common in parts of scotland and ireland, but numbers in england reached a low point in the 1980s. Im reading a book about a man hiking the appalachian trail. Asian smallclawed otters are highly social, forming small groups of relatives of 412 animals and pairing for life. Asian small clawed otter aonyx cinereus the asian small clawed otter is the smallest species of otter in the world, about two feet long and weighing less than 10lb.
The nice thing about spotting an asian smallclawed otter is if you see one, you are likely to see many more. Essay on why the asian small clawed otter is at the brink of. Its total length can range from 70 to 100cm, of which about 30cm is tail. They usually designate one area as the toilet and keep the rest of their home clean. Asian shortclawed otter asian otter facts dk find out. The asian smallclawed otter is slimmer and smaller, with smooth fur and a face that looks like it is smiling. This species relies on their dexterous and sensitive fingers to forage for prey, and so lack the long claws most otters have. They are dark brown on the back and a light brown and white on the chest. Orangutans and otters pictured playing together in photos. The giant otter is the largest of all the otter species. Tokyo familys river otter pets making waves as international. A guide to legally owning and caring for a pet otter. The european otter lutra lutra was common as recently as the 1950s, but became rare because of ddt pesticides, habitat loss and water pollution.
The smallest of the otter species, asian smallclawed otters are playful and social, and typically live with extended family groups of 1220 individuals. Mar 18, 2016 the asian smallclawed otter is classified in the order carnivora, family mustelidae, and the genus and species aonyx cinerea. For several years, texas was an otterless state, but through cleanup efforts, naros have been able to make an amazing comeback. Asian small clawed otters live in extended family groups. The smallclawed otter and smoothcoated otter can be found in singapore. The oriental smallclawed otter lives in extended family groups with only the alpha pair breeding. The oriental, or asian, smallclawed otter is the smallest otter in the world. Three asian smallclawed otter pups born at the zoo edhat. Historically, skunks have also been included in mustelidae, but genetic analyses suggest that they belong to a separate family of their own. The international otter survival fund iosf is one of the worlds leading otter charities. They have just one breeding pair with the previous years youngsters helping to raise the young. Jasmine gives birth to four beautiful otter pups dartmoor zoo. Unlike other otters, they catch prey with their paws not their mouths.
Small clawed river otter aoi, left, and takechiyo eat their special cat food while owner ayako higuchi and her daughter reina watch, in tokyos shibuya ward, on may 18, 2018. In 1981, a species survival plan program was established for the asian small clawed otter, to be used as a model for other, more endangered social otter species. Asian small clawed otters may be kept with a permit. It was generally believed that otters would be difficult to breed reliably in human care, so work on appropriate husbandry procedures was begun on the small clawed otters. May 19, 2018 small clawed river otter aoi, left, and takechiyo eat their special cat food while owner ayako higuchi and her daughter reina watch, in tokyos shibuya ward, on may 18, 2018. As well as its size, the asian smallclawed otter can be distinguished from other otters by its small claws, after which it is named, and the incomplete webbing between. A three member asian smallclawed otter family going about its routines. Main characteristics oriental smallclawed otters are the smallest species of otter. The zoos asian smallclawed otter family includes valerie, a female, chowder, a male, and chowders offspring female rutabaga and male kevin. It has a large distribution range extending from india in south asia through southeast asia up to taiwan and philippines in the east and southern china in the north. In this lesson well take a look at the unique asian small clawed otter.
Incredible footage of leopard behaviour during impala kill sabi sand game reserve, south africa duration. Asian smallclawed otters are the smallest of all otter species and are native to. The asian smallclawed otter amblonyx cinereus, also known as the oriental smallclawed otter or simply smallclawed otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to south and southeast asia. The asian smallclawed otters tail is long, with a sharp end. These otters have dark brown fur above and lighter fur below, often with gray. Summary of husbandry guidelines for asian smallclawed otters heap et al. The asian smallclawed otter aonyx cinereus was recently upgraded to vulnerable and declining as it is being hunted extensively throughout asia. Habitat loss, pollution, hunting and their vulnerable status are not. Different adaptations for these challenges have been proposed, although visual acuity in water is somewhat reduced in some otter species i.
Inside these large family groups, only the alpha pair will mate, while the others help raise the offspring. You can support our work in asia by donating at uk please put asian otters in the message box. In so many states in the usa it is illegal to keep a pet otter. Oriental shortclawed otter durrell wildlife conservation trust. Here at the dallas zoo, we care for asian smallclawed otters asco which are the smallest otters, weighing in around 810 pounds and reaching only 2 feet in length. Family of asian smallclawed otters arrives at asia trail. Whole foods market engaged its facebook fans to select the most masterful moniker for the 11th otter, a female whom they named rutabaga. The main threats to their survival are habitat lossdegradation and water pollution. The former is nocturnal and harder to spot, while the latter above is commonly spotted in local waterways and mangroves. Oct 2008 asian small shortclawed otter husbandry summary i objective this manual has been collated by an international body of experts to help institutions and individuals recognize and adhere to the basic minimum standard of care required in keeping asian small clawed otters, also known as asian shortclawed otter aso, aonyx cinereus. Use the links to explore the different species and find out more about otters in other parts of the world. This is a social species, living in family groups of up to 15 to 20 individuals.
The oriental small clawed otter lives in extended family groups with only the alpha pair breeding. The first ever otter sighting recorded in singapore actually dates back to 1938, on lazarus island, and resurfaced again in the 1970s. Aonyx cinereus asian smallclawed otter iucn red list. For several years, texas was an otter less state, but through cleanup efforts, naros have been able to make an amazing comeback. Most of the worlds species of otter have undergone a dramatic decline in numbers during the last century, because of human activity.
They have slender long and flexible bodies with dark greybrown fur, with lighter patches on the face and neck. Otters are part of the mustelid family of animals which also includes badgers, pine martens and weasels. Mar 08, 2019 the first ever otter sighting recorded in singapore actually dates back to 1938, on lazarus island, and resurfaced again in the 1970s. Minnesota zoo asian small clawed otter minnesota zoo. The mustelid family otter watch african otters asian otters. Oddly enough for what, in the past, has been such a common animal, little is known of its behaviour in the wild less than is known about some of the other, rarer otters. Three asian smallclawed otter pups born at the santa barbara zoo first litter for parents gail and peeta. The least aquatic of the otter species, asian smallclawed otters forage for mollusks, fish, frogs. The asian small clawed otter is the smallest among the extant species of otters.
After chasing a female around the group gathered on one side of the log to. Aonyx cinerea live in extended family groups of approximately twelve individuals. Aonyx cinereus, also known as the oriental smallclawed otter or simply smallclawed otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to south and southeast asia. Very territorial to other otter groups outside their families. Due to ongoing habitat loss, pollution, and hunting in some areas, the oriental small clawed otter is evaluated as vulnerable on the iucn red list of threatened species. Social behaviour of the asian small clawed otter territory. Asian smallclawed otter similar but different in the. Oriental smallclawed otter aonyx cinerea portrait of a an asian small clawed otter aonyx cinerea eating a fish in front of another otter. The proponents propose the transfer of the small clawed otter aonyx. Asian smallclawed otters let clams dry in the sun to make them easier to break open.
Here at the dallas zoo, we care for asian small clawed otters asco which are the smallest otters, weighing in around 810 pounds and reaching only 2 feet in length. Due to ongoing habitat loss, pollution, and hunting in some areas, the oriental smallclawed otter is evaluated as vulnerable on the iucn red list of threatened species. However, there are three species of otter that have blunt or no claws. Oct, 2015 our family of asian smallclawed otters just got a little bit bigger. Otters are the only truly amphibious members of the weasel family. Oct 10, 2018 the smallclawed otter and smoothcoated otter can be found in singapore. Feb 12, 2015 a three member asian smallclawed otter family going about its routines.
Three oriental smallclawed otter pups were born on january 8 at the taronga western plains zoo in dubbo, australia the litter includes two females and one male. Through education, research, influencing policy and partner working we are making progress but there is still much to be done here in the uk and other countries. Find out more the hairynosed otter lutra sumatrana is probably the worlds rarest otter and was believed to be extinct in 1998. Our family of asian smallclawed otters just got a little bit bigger. Asian smallclawed otters are the smallest and most social otter species in the world. A pair of asian small clawed otters at the santa barbara zoo have produced their first litter of pups with three healthy offspring born in a nesting box in their holding area on saturday, october 7. Smallclawed otter japari library wiki fandom powered. Out of the thirteen otter species, the asian smallclawed is the smallest. The least aquatic of the otter species, asian smallclawed otters forage for mollusks, fish, frogs, crabs and other. They love sliding down muddy banks and are often seen juggling pebbles or other small objects. As part of the program, the family of asian smallclawed otters were allowed to live in the river that runs through the enclosure that houses the orangutan family.
Keepers are seeking name suggestions for one of the pups via the zoos facebook page. They build burrows along water banks with entrances as deep as 3 feet under the waters surface. This charismatic mammal aonyx cinerea, equally at home in the water and on land, is the smallest of the worlds otters. They feed on hardshelled animals, such as mussels and crabs, as well as frogs. They are found in indonesia, southern china, the philippines, and southeast asia. Asian smallclawed otters are diurnal active during the day when living in non populated areas and nocturnal active at night when living in areas inhabited by humans. This species lives in wetlands in india and southeast asia. In the uk iosf is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the uk and around the world. Dec 28, 2012 dec 28, 2012 asian small clawed otter. Asian small clawed otter zoological wildlife foundation. These small social otters usually live in extended family groups and can be seen sliding on mud banks and chasing each other through the mangrove swamps and.
Stop by for a visit and check out the whole family in action. There are species of otter around the world and many of them are endangered. Otter simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It can be found in indonesia, southern china, southern india, the philippines, and southeast asia. The asian smallclawed otter is the smallest of the worlds otters. A pair of asian smallclawed otters at the santa barbara zoo have produced their first litter of pups with three healthy offspring born in a. Like other members of the weasel family, the strong, musky scent of the asian smallclawed otter is used to communicate with other otters. It lives in the rivers and swamps of tropical south america, forming noisy family groups that often hunt together. The little book of otter philosophy the little animal philosophy books by jennifer mccartney oct 8, 2019. Smallclawed otter japari library wiki fandom powered by. It is a member of the otter subfamily lutrinae of the weasel family mustelidae, and. The smoothcoated otter, the small clawed otter, the hairynosed otter, and the eurasian otter. Their very short claws do not extend beyond the end of their toes.
The asian smallclawed otter amblonyx cinereus is the smallest otter in the world. Introducing our newest otter pup, already making a splash on exhibit in jungleworld. Oct 2008 asian small short clawed otter husbandry summary i objective this manual has been collated by an international body of experts to help institutions and individuals recognize and adhere to the basic minimum standard of care required in keeping asian small clawed otters, also known as asian short clawed otter aso, aonyx cinereus. See more about saving the great whales, bad news about the ivory trade and a bird thats about to become rarer. This is a map showing where you can find them in the world. Parents jasmine and matty, dartmoor zoos resident asian smallclawed otters, welcomed the four baby otters in october 2019 and have since been spending precious. Youll learn about their habitat, their breeding and reproduction, and some interesting adaptations. Well adapted to life in the water, these social, intelligent animals spend a majority of their time on land. Asian small clawed otters are diurnal active during the day when living in non populated areas and nocturnal active at night when living in areas inhabited by humans. Main characteristics oriental small clawed otters are the smallest species of otter. As well as its size, it can be distinguished from other otters by its small claws, after which it is named.