Wildlifeof Singapore
Asian Small-clawed Otter
Mustelidae
Photo: George Berninger Jr. · CC BY-SA 3.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Aonyx cinereus
Basic stats
Diet
Molluscs, crabs and other small aquatic animals
Habitat
Riverine habitats, freshwater wetlands, rice fields, estuaries, coastal lagoons and mangrove swamps
Range
India to Southeast Asia, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Palawan
Size
Total length 73–96cm
Weight
Up to about 3.5kg
The Asian small-clawed otter, also called the oriental small-clawed otter, is the smallest otter species, with a total length of 73 to 96 cm and a maximum weight of about 3.5 kg. Its short claws do not extend beyond the pads of its webbed digits (Wikipedia, general species account).
It lives in riverine habitats, freshwater wetlands such as swamps and meandering rivers, irrigated rice fields, estuaries, coastal lagoons and mangrove swamps, and feeds on molluscs, crabs and other small aquatic animals. It lives in pairs but has also been seen in family groups of up to 12. Habitat loss and pollution are threats (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Asian Small-clawed Otter eat?
- Molluscs, crabs and other small aquatic animals
- What habitat does the Asian Small-clawed Otter live in?
- Riverine habitats, freshwater wetlands, rice fields, estuaries, coastal lagoons and mangrove swamps
- Where is the Asian Small-clawed Otter found?
- India to Southeast Asia, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Palawan
- How big is the Asian Small-clawed Otter?
- Total length 73–96cm
- How much does the Asian Small-clawed Otter weigh?
- Up to about 3.5kg