Smooth-coated Otter

The smooth-coated otter (In Malay, memerang licin) is mostly nocturnal but can also be active in the day. Families consist of a mother and father and up to four young.  These otters are territorial and can travel about 2-3 km. Although males are larger the female is dominant. They communicate with whistles, wails and chirps.

Fun facts

·         short velvety fur that is dark along the back and light brown underneath.

·         the tail is flat; other otters have more rounded tails.

·         legs are short and strong, with webbed feet and strong claws.

·         front legs are shorter than its back legs

·         weighs up to 11 kg.

·         body length is about 100 cm (including a 40 cm tail)

·         for slow swimming it doggy paddles using all four legs

·         for bursts of speed, it tucks in its front paws, and uses its back feet and tail

·         it closes its ears and nostrils underwater

Update- There are four otter species in Malaysia.  Since posting my photo I have received suggestions that this might be a Eurasian Otter or more surprisingly an extremely rare Hairy-nosed Otter Hairy-nosed Otter - Lutra sumatrana (ecologyasia.com) . If you are an otter expert viewing this blog please get in contact.


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