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TheWorld’sOttersby

VictorL.Camp,ZoologistCourtesyFaculty/RiverOtterResearch

DepartmentofMarine&EcologicalSciencesFloridaGulfCoastUniversity

FortMyers,Florida

INTRODUCTION:Thereare13speciesofottersintheworld.OtterarefoundintheNewWorldandtheOldWorld. The NewWorld includes North America, Central America, and South America. The OldWorld includesEurope,GreatBritain,Russia,MiddleEast,Africa,andAsia.TheSeaOtter is theonlyotter species found in both the NewWorld and the OldWorld. This species is limited to extremeeastern Asia along the Japanese island chain and north to waters off the Kamchakta Peninsula ofeastern Russia. The Sea Otter inhabits the Aleutian Islands chain and extends southward along theeasternPacificOceantocentralCalifornia.Information about an otter species is drawn from several sources The primary sources of thisinformation are the IUCNRed List, IUCNOtter Specialist Group (OSG) and books on carnivores andotters.Creditforallphotographsareeitheronthephotoorbelowthephotoandpresentedwhenthesourceofthephotoandthephotographerisknown.

Suggestion: If you are becoming or you’re already an otter enthusiast this author would like torecommendagreatotterbook.Checkout“OttersoftheWorld”byPaulandGraceYoxon.Inadditiontoprovidingexcellentnatural history informationonall 13 speciesof theworlds’ otters theYoxonshaveincludedinformativeinformationonRescueandRehabilitation,OttersandPollution,OttersandFisheries,IllegalTrade,andTheFutureofOtters.Thisbookwaspublishedinpaperback,in2015andisavailablethroughAmazon.com.Asof4August2017usedbooksaresellingonAmazonfor$21.50US+$3.99USforshippingandnewbooksaresellingfor$15.98USto$25.33US+$3.99USto$4.99USforshipping.

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NewWorldOttersNorthAmericanRiverOtter

(Lontracanadensis)

PhotographerUnknown PhotobyMrs.Fox;BonitaSprings,FLRange:“LontracanadensiscurrentlyoccursthroughouttheUnitedStatesofAmericaandCanada.”Size:TheweightoftheNorthAmericanriverotteris11to31pounds(5to14kg).Alargemalemayweighmorethan33pounds(15kg).Thefemaleissmallerandhasanaverageweightof18pounds(8.3kg) while the average weight of a male is 25 pounds (11.3 kg). The length of total body alone isbetween26and42 inches (42-66cm) longand the lengthof the tail isapproximatelyone third thebody length. Therefore, the total length of the North American river otter would then beapproximately35to56inches(89to142cm).(Camp2018a)Diet:TheNorthAmericanriverotter’sdietvarieswiththeseasonsandavailabilityofprey.Fisharethemostprevalentpreyoftheriverotterfollowedbycrayfish.Theriverotteralsoeatsawidevarietyofothervertebratepreyspeciesandsomeinvertebratespecies.Theseincludeamphibians,reptiles,birds,insects,snailsandclamsandevensomemammalspecies.(Camp2018b)Conservation Issues: ”Threats to otter populations in North America vary among regions and areinfluenced by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of humanactivities.”(IUCN2014).UncontrolledtrappingwastheinitialpopulationthreattotheNorthAmericariver otter. As of today, 21 states in the U.S.A. have successfully reintroduced otters into habitatscomparable to the habitats formerly occupied by theNorth American river otter. This program is aclassicexampleofsuccessfulwildlifemanagement.Inmanyofthesestatesriverotterpopulationshavereacheda levelwhereby trappinghasbecomean importantwildlifemanagement technique tohelpkeepotterpopulationsinbalancewiththeirhabitatresourceneeds. IUCNRedListStatus:LC.ASpeciesofLeastConcernReferences: -TheIUCNRedList.(2014). -Camp,V.L.(2018a).NARONaturalHistory/G.PhysicalCharacteristics. Availableat:riverotterssouthflorida.com/OtterInformation/NARONaturalHistory/G.Physical Characteristics.(Camp2018a) -Camp,V.L.(2018b).NARONaturalHistory/E.TheDietoftheNorthAmericanRiverOtter (Lontracanadensis).(Camp2018b) Availableat:riverotterssouthflorida.com/OtterInformation/NARONaturalHistory/E.TheDiet oftheNorthAmericanRiverOtter(Lontracanadensis).

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Neotropical/Long-tailedRiverOtter(Lontralongicaudis)

PhotographerUnknown

Range: Lontra longicaudisoccurs from northwestern Mexico to Uruguay, across the central andnorthern part of Argentina to Buenos Aires, and on into Brazil except for the arid region in thenortheast.(IUCN,2014) Size:“This isanaveragesized,robustlybuiltotter,verysimilar inappearancetotheotherAmericanriver otters. The tail can be notably long, formingmore than a third of the body length. They arearound1.2-1.5mlong(insomeplacesmalescanreach1.75m),usuallyweighing7-15kg(insomeplacesmalescanreach25kg).Thespeciesshowssexualdimorphism-themaleisgenerally20-25%largerthanthefemale.”(Rhinehartz,2009) Diet:Theprimarypreyofthisotterspeciesisfish.Additionalpreyconsumedarecrustaceans(crayfishandcrabs),insects,amphibians,reptiles,birds,molluscs,andsmallmammals.(IUCN,2014)Conservation Issues: Although illegal hunting of this species occurs, habitat destruction and waterpollutionarethetwomajorthreatstothisspecies.(Rhinehartz,2009)RedListStatus:DDDataDeficient(IUCN,2008)References: Rheinhartz,M.(2009).Lontralongicaudis (Olfers,1818).Theneotropicalotter.Revised. IUCN. otterspecialistgroup.org. TheIUCNRedList.(2014).

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MarineOtter(Lontrafelina)

PhotosbyMikeBowler

Range: Along the eastern coast of the Pacific Ocean from Central Peru south to the tip of SouthAmericaSize:TheheadandbodylengthoftheMarineOttermeasures53-79cm(21-31inches)andthelengthof the tailmeasures30-36.2 cm (11.8-14.6 inches) and theyweigh3.2-5.8 kg (7-12.75 lbs.). (Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet: “Themain food of theMarineOtter is Crustaceans,Molluscs and Fish, though the proportionvarieswith location.Theypreferomnivorousor carnivorousprey from the inter/sub tidal zone - forexample,theyrarelytakeechinodermsdespitetheirabundance.Theusualmaincomponentofthedietiscrabs,suchastheChileanKingCrabor laCentolla(Lithodesantarctica).Theyalsohaveatasteforfreshwaterprawns(Criphiopscaementarius),andwillfollowfreshwaterstreamshighabovesealeveltofindthem.Theyhavebeenseenattackingseabirds.Atcertaintimesofyear,theyseekoutandeatfruitfromcoastalshrubs.”(IUCN/OSG2015) Conservation Issues: The population is decreasing due to numerous factors including: “Acceleratinghabitatdestructionanddegradation, reductionofpreybiomassdue to completionwithman,directpersecutionbyaquaculturalists,poaching,killingbydogsandentrapmentinfishinggear”Thismeansthe Marine Otter population “…will continue to decline by around 50% over the next 10 years.”(IUCN/OSG2015)RedListStatus:EN.Endangered,populationdecreasingReferences:Referencesintheabovetextareinparentheseslocatedatendofcitationslistedbelow -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCN Otter Specialist Group. Marine Otter: Lontra felina. Updated February 22, 2015 (IUCN/OSG2015) -The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lontra felina – published in 2015 (IUCN/Red List 2015)

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SouthernRiverOtter(Lontraprovocax)

Range:“PatagonianArgentinaandChile.”(Hunter2011)Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheSouthernRiverOttermeasures50-80cm(19.7-31.5inches)andthelengthofthetailmeasures35-43cm(13.8-17inches)andtheyweigh8-14.5kg(17.6-39lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet:“Crustaceanspecialist,eatingmainlylargefreshwatercrabsandcrayfish;smallslowmovingfisharethesecondmostimportantfoodcategory.Alsoeatsmolluscsand,lessso,amphibiansandbirds.”(Hunter2011). ConservationIssues:“Populationshavebeenconfirmedinonlysevenisolatedareasallofwhicharethreatenedbyavarietyoffactorsincludingtheremovalofriverbankvegetation,damconstruction,riverandstreamcanalization,anddredgingwhichhasrecentlybecomeoneofthemostseriousthreatstootterhabitat.Furthermore,thelargescaleofforestdestructioninsouthernChilemaybeaffectingseveralofthefreshwaterhabitatsthroughseverefloodinganddepositionofsoilontheriverbeds.”(IUCN/OSG2015) RedListStatus:ENEndangered,populationdeceasingReferences: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCNOtterSpecialistGroup.SouthernRiverOtter:Lontraprovocax.UpdatedFebruary22, 2015(currentlybeingrevised).(IUCN/OSG2015)

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GiantRiverOtter(Pteronurabrasiliensis)

Range: “Currently remnant populations exist in Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana,Paraguay,Peru,SurinameandVenezuela.”(IUCN/OSG2015)Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheGiantRiverOttermeasures86-103cm(33.9-40.5inches)andthelengthofthetailmeasures45-75cm(17.7-29.5inches).Thefemaleweighs22-26kg(48-57.2lbs.)andthemaleweighs26-34kg(57.2-74.8lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet: “Primarilypiscivorous;adultseataround3kgof fishperday,mainlycharacins (piranha family),catfish,perchandcichlids.Mostfishcapturedmeasure0.1-0.4m,butGiantOtteriscapableoftakingcatfish measuring over 1m. Other prey types infrequently recorded include reptiles (includinganacondas to 3m, caimans to 1.5m and large turtles), small mammals, birds, crustaceans andmolluscs.”(Hunter2011).Conservation Issues: “Although they still face other serious threats – habitat destruction anddegradation, poaching, and unmanaged tourism are the primary threats faced by giant ottertoday. The areas in South America where the giant otter lives are rapidly being destroyed anddegradedbylogging,mining,exploitationoffossilfuelsandhydroelectircpower(dams),riverandlandpollution,andover-fishing.Somegiantottercubsarestillbeingtakenfromthewildillegallytobekeptaspetsandtheyusuallydieinthehandsofinexperiencedcaretakers.Touristscandisturbgiantotterswhen they are rearing cubs. This can have a negative effect on how successfully parents rear theirlitters.”(IUCN/OSG2015)RedListStatus:ENEndangered,populationdecreasingReferences: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCNOtter SpecialistGroup.GiantOtter: Petronurabrasiliensis.Updated February 22, 2015 (currentlybeingrevised).(IUCN/OSG2015)

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SeaOtter(Enhydralutris)

Range:TheseaotterhistoricallyinhabitedthecoastalwatersofwesternNorthAmericafromnearthesouthern tip of the Baja Peninsula of California north-ward along the entire length of the westernPacificOceanofNorthAmericatoAlaskaandwestwardthroughtheAleutianIslandsandthenorthernwatersoftheeasternPacificincludingthesoutheasterncoastalwatersoftheKamchatcaPeninsulaandthen southward through theKuri Islands, off northern Japan, to the coastalwaters surrounding theJapanese Island of Hokkaido. Currently, there are a number of gaps of extinction occuring in thedistribution of the Sea Otter. These include the coastal waters of the Baja Peninsula and southernCaliforniaandnorthernCaliforniatoWashingtonstate,theQueenCharlotteIslandsandadjacentcoastof British Columbia, the extreme western end of the Aleutian Islands adjacent to the KamchataPeninsula,andthecoastalwaterssurroundingHokkaidoIsland.(Camp2018)Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheSeaOttermeasures100-120cm(39-47inches)andthelengthofthetailmeasures27-37cm(10.6-14.8inches).Thefemaleweighs14.5-32.7kg(32-72lbs.)andthemaleweighs21.8-45kg(48-108lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet:”Dietoverwhelminglydominatedbymarine invertebratessuchasseaurchins,clams,abalones.musselsandcrabs.Squidandoctopusareeatenespeciallyduringepisodicabundances,e.g.California.Fishcompriseonlyoccasionalprey,butareimportanttoAleutianIslandspopulations.”(Hunter2011).Conservation Issues:“Therearecurrentlytwopopulationsofseaotters listedundertheEndangeredSpeciesActintheUnitedStates,thesouthernseaotter(E.l.nereis)locatedalongtheCaliforniacoastandthenorthernseaotter(E.l.kenyoni)insouthwesternAlaska(whichincludesAlaskaPeninsulaandBristol Bay coasts, the Aleutian, Barren, Kodiak, and Pribilof islands). The primary threats to thesouthernseaotterincluded,arestrictedrange,incidentalmortalityincommercialfishingoperations,andenvironmentalpollutantsanddiseaseagents thathave reducedsurvival.Theprimary threats tothenorthernseaotter insouthwestAlaskaare lessclearbutmay include increasedmortalityduetopredationbykillerwhales(Orcinusorca).” RedListStatus:ENEndangered,populationdecreasing References:

-Camp,V.L.(2018).OtterInformation/CoastalMarineOttersinNA.(Camp2018) Availableat:riverotterssouthflorida.com/OtterInformation/CoastalMarineOttersinNA/ CoastalMarineOtters -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCN Otter Specialist Group. Sea otter: Enhydra lutris. Updated February 22, 2015 (currentlybeingrevised).(IUCN/OSG2015)

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OldWorldOtters

EurasianOtter(Lutralutra)

Range:“Thisspeciesisthemostwidelydistributedofalltheotters,rangingthroughEurasiauptotheArctic Circle, from Ireland to Kamchatka, and south to North Africa, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.” (IUCN/OSG2015) Size:TheheadandbodylengthofthefemaleEurasianOttermeasures59-70cm(23.2-27.6inches)andthemalemeasures60-90cm(23.6-35.4 inches).Thelengthofthetailmeasures35-47cm(13.8-18.5inches). The female weighs 6-12 kg (13.2-26.4 lbs.) and the male weighs 6-17kg (13.2-37.4 lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet: Eurasianotter“…mainlyeatfish,especiallyslow-moving,nutrientdensespeciessuchaseelsandbutterfish,butalsotakewaterbirds,crayfishandfrogs.” (IUCN/OSG2015).Hunter (2011)states theEurasianotter“Eatsprincipallyfish,freshwateramphibiansandinvertebrates,especiallycrabs,crayfishand aquatic insects. Occasional prey items consist of birds including seabirds such as fulmars andguillemots in coastal populations, water voles, rats, rabbits (which are killed in their burrows) andreptiles.” Conservation Issues: “Waterpollution is themajor threat to EurasianOtters, andhas caused recentlocal extinctions fromwhichWestern European populations are only now recovering as a result ofenvironmental improvementsand focussedconservationefforts.Themaindangersarebiomagnifieddieldrin, DDT/DDE, PCBs andMercury which affect otter physiology directly, and reduction of foodsupply due to nitrate-induced eutrophication from agricultural run-off and untreated sewage, andacidificationfromatmosphericpollutants.Oilspillsthreatencoastalpopulations.Inpartsoftherange,illegal hunting is a major issue, and the rise of fish farming has led to conflict, resulting in somecountriesinlicencestokillottersbeingissuedbyauthorities.Bycatch,especiallyineelfykesandcrabtraps,canbeasignificantlocalproblem,ascanaccidentalcaptureintrapsandsnares,andaccidentalkilling duringmink hunts. InWestern Europe, road traffic accidents are becoming amajor cause ofmortality.”(IUCN/OSG2015) RedListStatus:NTNearThreatened,populationdecreasingReferences: Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCN Otter Specialist Group. Eurasian Otter: Lutra lutra. Updated February 22, 2015 (currentlybeingrevised).(IUCN/OSG2015)

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Spotted-neckedOtter(Hydrictis[Lutra]maculicollis)

Range:Sub-SaharanAfrica,fromGuineatoEthiopia,southtoSouthAfrica.(Hunter2011).Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheSpotted-neckedOttermeasures57.5-76cm(22.6-30inches)andthe lengthof the tailmeasures38.5-44cm (15.2-17.3 inches). The femaleweighs3.5-4.7kg (7.7-10.3lbs.)andthemaleweighs4.5-6kg(9.9-13.2lbs.).Malesmayweighupto9kg(19.8lbs.)(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet:“Eatsmostlysmallfish(<20cm),especiallychiclids,catfish,barbell,tilapiaandintroducedtrout.Alsoeatscrabsandfrogs,especiallyinfish-poorwatersofsouthernAfrica;dietalmostentirelyfishintherichergreatlakesofCentralandEastAfrica.Opportunisticallyeatsaquaticinsects,theirlarvaeandoccasionallywaterbirds.”(Hunter2011)ConservationIssues: "TheSpotted-neckedotterisdecreasingthroughoutitsrange,mainlyasaresultofthealterationordegradationoffreshwaterhabitatsandriparianvegetation.Thisrapidhabitatlossis exacerbated by a growing, poor population engaged in unsustainable agricultural activity andunsustainable fishingpractices.Thesepracticeshave led tobankandshorelineerosion,denudingofimportantvegetativecoverusedbytheotters,increasedhumanpresencewhichisdisruptivetootterdenning, increased use of smallermesh nets and poisoning to improve catches, and the change ordepletionoftheotterspreybase.Pollutionofwaterswithagricultural, livestock,andsocietalwastesalso are threatening with evidence of the bioaccumulation of organochlorines and otherbiocontaminantsrecordedinSpotted-neckedOtters.Therateofottersbecomingentangledinsetanddiscarded fishing nets is impossible to determine however, based on known entanglement of otherspeciesithaslikelyincreasedovertheoccasionaldrowningreportedpreviously.Ottersarealsokilledforfoodorskins,asaperceivedthreattopoultry,orasacompetitorforfish.Introductionofalienfishspecies that out-compete the smaller indigenous fish was identified as a main threat for the LakeVictoriapopulation."(IUCN2014)RedListStatus:NTNearThreatened,populationdecreasingReferences: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCNRed-List(2014)Assessment(IUCN2014)

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Hairy-nosedOtter(Lutrasumatrana)

Range: “Endemic to extreme southeast Asia, with discontinuous populations known from southMyanmar, south Vietnam, south Cambodia, extreme south Thailand, south Malaysia, Borneo andSumatra.”(Hunter2011).Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheHairy-nosedOttermeasures57.5-75cm(22.6-29.5inches)andthelengthofthetailmeasures31-51cm(12.2-20inches)andtheyweigh5-8kg(11-17.6lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet: “Thought tomainlyeat fish suchasgouramis, climbingperch,walkingcatfishand snakeheads.Watersnakesare frequentprey inThailand.Alsoeatssmallnumbersofcrabs, insects, frogs, lizards,birdsandsmallmammals.”(Hunter2011)ConservationIssues:“Verylittleisknown,butitislikelythatthisspeciesisthreatenedbydestructionofpeatswampforestsforloggingandagriculture,andaveryhighdegreeofpopulationfragmentationmakes populations numerically vulnerable. Furthermore, cubs of this species have been found inseveralcasesofpettradinginIndonesia.”(IUCN/OSG2015) RedListStatus:ENEndangered,populationdecreasingReferences: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCNOtterSpecialistGroup.Hairy-nosedOtter:Lutrasumatrana.UpdatedMarch,32015 (IUCN/OSG2015)

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Smooth-coatedOtter(Lutrogaleperspicillata)

Range:“ThisspeciesisfoundinJava,SumatraandBorneo,northwardtosouth-westernChina,eastthroughNepalandBhutanandIndiatoPakistan,excludingtheIndusValley(duetobarragesanddams).ThereisanisolatedpopulationinthemarshesofIraq(L.p.maxwelli),indicatingtherangemustoncehavebeenwider.”(IUCN/OSG2015) Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheSmooth-coatedOttermeasure59-75cm(23.2-29.5inches)andthelengthofthetailmeasures37-43cm(14.6-16.9inches)andtheyweigh7-11kg(15.4-24.2lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet:”Itismainlyafisheater,takinglargerpreythanthefourspeciesthatsharepartsofitsrange-theEurasian,Hairy-NosedandAsianSmall-ClawedOtters.Italsoeatsshrimp/crayfish,crabs,insects,frogs,mudskippers,birdsandrats.”(IUCN/OSG2015) ConservationIssues:”Theareaoccupiedbytheseanimalshasreducedsignificantlyinthelast10yearsasdevelopmentoftheirhabitattakesplace.Someauthoritiesconsiderthatdeclinemaybeoccurringfasterthangenerallythought,andexsituconservationhasbeenrecommended.”(IUCN/OSG2015)RedListStatus:VUVulnerable,populationtrenddecreasingReferences: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCNOtterSpecialistGroup.Smooth-coatedOtter:Lutrogaleperspicillata.February22.2015. (currentlybeingrevised).(IUCN/OSG2015)

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AfricanClawlessOtter(Aonyxcapensis)

Range:“TheCapeclawlessotter’sdistribution,whichiscloselyassociatedwithwatersystems,extendsfromSenegal inthewest, toEthiopia inthenortheast,andsouthtoSouthAfrica.” (IUCN/OSG2015)andasstatedbyHunter(2011)theCapeClawlessOtterinhabits“MostofsubSaharanAfrica;absentfromtheCongoBasinandaridsouthwestandnortheastAfrica.” Size:Theheadandbody lengthof thefemaleAfricanClawlessOttermeasures73-73.6cm(28.7-29.9inches)andtheheadandbodylengthofthemalemeasures76.2cm(30inches).Thelengthofthetailmeasures46.6-51.5cm(18.3-20.3inches).Thefemaleweighs10.6-16.3kg(23.3-35.8lbs.)andthemaleweighs10-21kg(22-46.2lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet: “Crustacean specialist, eatingmainly crabs, crayfish and lobsters.Alsoeats fish, octopus, frogsand molluscs. Cape populations increase fish consumption during the cold winter when fish aresluggish and easily caught. Aquatic insects, birds and small mammals (mostly riparian rodents andshrews)areoccasionallyconsumed.Sporadicallykillsdomesticducksandgeeseonfarmland.”(Hunter2011)Conservation Issues: “At present, this species is not under severe pressure. The most importantthreatstotheCapeclawlessottertodayareincreasinghumanpopulationsandtheresultingchangestotheirhabitats.Theseincludepollutionofwatersystems,increasedsiltationandagriculturalrunoffand the introductionof the Louisiana red crayfishwhichhas altered thepreybase in someof theirprevious range.While theotterdoespreyon thecrayfish, the seasonalityof thecrayfishandheavypredationonthembyotherspeciesappearstohaveimpactedtheottersinsomeareas(Ogada2005andinprep.).Additionally,theotter ishuntedfor itspeltandmedicinalpurposes insomeareasandkilled inothersasaperceivedcompetitor for fish,particularly inareaswhere the rainbowtrouthasbeen introduced. The impact of persistent drought in parts of their former range and the seasonaldisappearanceofstreamsandriverspreviouslyknownto flowyeararoundhasyet tobethoroughlyinvestigated.”(IUCN/OSG2015) RedListStatus:NTNearThreatened,populationdecreasingReferences: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress.(Hunter2011) -IUCN Otter Specialist Group. African Clawless Otter: Aonyx capensis. February 22. 2015. (currentlybeingrevised).(IUCN/OSG2015)

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AsianSmall-clawedOtter(Aonyxcinerea)

Range:“Althoughthespecies'rangeappearslarge, inthelastdecade,actualdistributionhasshrunk,especially in thewest, compared tohistorical records.Theyarecurrently found fromtheHimalayanfoothillsofHimachalPradesheastwardthroughoutsouthAsia,extendinguptoPhilippinesanddownthroughIndonesia.Apopulationwhichwaspreviouslythoughttobeisolated,existsinthehillrangesoftheWesternGhats,andmorerecentlytheyhavebeenreportedfromprotectedareasintheEasternGhatswhichmightbetterexplain theirdistribution inSouth India.Their range in theWesternGhatstoohasincreasedwithsightingsandevidencebeingreportedfromthenorthernWesternGhats,wellextendingtheirrangebeyondthehillsofCoorgandAshambu.TheywereformerlyfoundinSriLanka,buttheircurrentstatusthereisunknown.TheonlyareasinwhichtheseanimalsaretodayknowntobecommonarePeninsularMalaysia,especiallyinKedah,inthewesternforestsandsouthernmarshesofThailand, and in theWestern Ghats of India where it appears to be the most common species ofotter.” (IUCN/OSG2015) Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheAsianSmall-clawedOttermeasures36-47cm(14.2-18.5inches)and the lengthof the tailmeasures22.5-27.5cm (8.8-10.8 inches) and theyweigh2.4-3.8kg (5.3-8.4lbs.).(Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet: “Specializes in freshwater crabs, followed by small fish such as mudskippers, catfish andgouramis.Alsoeatssnails,aquaticinsects,shellfish,amphibians,snakesandsmallmammals.”(Hunter2011)Conservation Issues: “The main threat throughout Asian is habitat destruction because ofdeforestation (loss of the smaller hill streams), agriculture (especially tea and coffee plantations inIndia, draining of peat swamp forests, and destruction of coastal mangroves for aquaculture) andsettlement.Water courses are being polluted with pesticides from plantations and other intensiveagriculture,andheavymetals,affectingthegill-feedersonwhichthisspeciesdepends,andinterferingdirectlywith otter physiology. Prey biomass is also being reduced by overexploitation, and in someplaces,thevastaquacultureindustryregardsottersaspestsandpersecutesthemdirectly.Theyhaveeven been recorded from storm water drains in Jakarta, indicating their adaptability to modifiedhabitats.Theseottersareknowntobehighlyelusiveindisturbedlandscapes,andthiscouldpotentiallycontributetotheperceptionofadeclineinpopulation.”(IUCN/OSG2015) RedListStatus:VUVulnerable,populationdecreasingReferences: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress.(Hunter2011) -IUCNOtterSpecialistGroup.AsianSmall-clawedOtter:Aonyxcinereus.March27,2015. (IUCN/OSG2015)

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CongoClawlessOtter(Aonyxcongicus)

Range: “This species occurs in the Congo Basin:Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, and DRC (exZa�re)arethestrongholdsofA.congicus.TheyarealsofoundinsouthernCameroon,CentralAfricanRepublic,southwesternUganda,Burundi,RwandaandnorthernAngola.”(IUCN/OSG2015) Size:TheheadandbodylengthoftheCongoClawlessOttermeasures79-97cm(31-38inches)andthelengthof the tailmeasures41-56cm(16.1-22 inches)and theyweigh14-25kg (30.8-55 lbs.). (Hunter2011).Metricconversionsmadebyauthor(VLC)Diet:“Dietincludesearthworms,frogs,freshwatercrabs,fishandaquaticinsects”(Hunter2011)ConservationIssues:”Ottersareoccasionallyhuntedforbushmeat,buthavethereputationofbeingquite difficult to catch.Whilemeat is sought after in Congo and Cameroon, this is not the case inGabon.Moreover,inGabon,ottersaresometimesconsideredasadangerousanimalgivinganelectricalshockwhen caught with a spear. In Central andWest Africa, their meat has the reputation of being anaphrodesiac (as it is with many other species as well). In some areas, the otter is said to possessmagical powers: bywearing a piece of fur one can become invisible to an opponent, or escape anenemyasottersescapefishtraps.InDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,killinghasexponentially increasedovertherecentdecadewiththeproliferationofweaponsandmunitions,makingtheshootingofottersfrompiroguesandtheriverbankmuchmorecommon(Thompsonpers.com.)Degradation of watersheds via expansion of forestry concessions is a concern forA. congicusas ispotentialdamconstructionintheOgou�River(Gabon)fromwherehighdensitiesofthespeciesareknown.”(IUCN/OSG2015)RedListStatus:NRNearThreatened,populationdecreasing References: -Hunter,L.2011.CarnivoresoftheWorld.240pp.PrincetonUniversityPress(Hunter2011) -IUCNOtterSpecialistGroup.AsianSmall-clawedOtter:Aonyxcongicus.March29,2015. (IUCN/OSG2015)

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