Wildlifeof Bhutan
Smooth-coated Otter
Bears, Dogs & Otters
Photo: (c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Lutra perspicillata
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly fish; also rats, snakes, amphibians and insects
Habitat
Rivers and wetlands
Range
Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh east to Southeast Asia
Size
Head and body 59–64cm; tail 37–43cm
Weight
7–11kg
The smooth-coated otter is a relatively large otter, 59 to 64cm in head-and-body length with a 37 to 43cm tail, weighing 7 to 11kg. Its short, sleek coat is dark brown to reddish-brown on the back and lighter greyish brown below. It is told from other otters by a more rounded head, a diamond-shaped hairless nose and a flattened tail (Wikipedia, general species account).
It lives in groups of up to 11 and feeds mainly on fish, preferring larger fish of 5 to 30cm where it shares habitat with other otters. In rice-planting season it also hunts rats in paddy fields. Its range includes Bhutan, but the sources opened give no Bhutan-specific records.
Quick answers
- What does the Smooth-coated Otter eat?
- Mainly fish; also rats, snakes, amphibians and insects
- What habitat does the Smooth-coated Otter live in?
- Rivers and wetlands
- Where is the Smooth-coated Otter found?
- Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh east to Southeast Asia
- How big is the Smooth-coated Otter?
- Head and body 59–64cm; tail 37–43cm
- How much does the Smooth-coated Otter weigh?
- 7–11kg