Hairy-nosed Otter
The hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana) is a very mysterious otter. It lives in Southeast Asia but its exact range is unknown, possibly being extinct in many places. It is the rarest and least known Asian otter. It is the most similar to Eurasian otters, being the second member of the Lutra genus.
Description
The hairy-nosed otter has a similar size and appearance to the Eurasian otter. It weighs between five and eight kilograms and can grow between 1 meter and 1.35 meters in length. Its distinctive feature is what gives it its name: Instead of being black and moist like in most otters, the rhinarium is covered by hair. It is also known by the white fur around its lips. The hairy-nosed otter's tail is proportionally longer than that of most otter species.[1][2]
The footprint of the hairy-nosed otter is very similar to that of the Eurasian otter, only tending to be slightly wider.[3]
Distribution
Hairy-nosed otters are found in south-east Asia. Having been declared extinct in 1998 and later rediscovered[4], the species is classified as endangered and is viewed as particularly vulnerable. Today, the species can be found in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma in sparse, isolated populations.[2]
Habitat
Hairy-nosed otters are known to especially like to live in swamp forests[1], mangrove forests, lowland flooded forests and mountain streams. They are also known to live in oil palm plantations.[5] Only few studies have been carried out, so not much is known about the habitat preferences of this animal.
Life
Like Eurasian otters, hairy-nosed otters are considered to be solitary animals, while sometimes living in groups of up to four individuals.[1]
Diet
The hairy-nosed otter mainly eats fish, making up 80-85% of its diet. Other vertebrates and invertebrates are also eaten.[6][7] It will swim quickly to drive fish into the roots of plants where they can catch them with ease.[6] Hairy-nosed otters are able to raid fish traps and steal fish without damaging the traps.[7]
Life cycle
Hairy-nosed otters have a gestation period of about two months, which is typical for otters. Their breeding season appears to variably take place in the time between October and March.[1]
Conservation
Hairy-nosed otters are listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List. They face significant threats from illegal hunting and from loss of habitat.[8][9] Despite legal protections, illegal trade in otters still occurs unchecked across south-east Asia.[8] The hairy-nosed otter is the rarest of the south-east Asian otter species, which is sometimes credited to a low number of dedicated surveys that have taken place.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 International Otter Survival Fund: Hairy Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana). Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group: Hairy-nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana). Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ↑ Kanchanasaka, B. K.(2001) Tracks and Other Signs of the Hairy-Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana). IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 18(2): 57 - 63
- ↑ Long, B. (2000) The Hairy-Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) in Cambodia. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 17(2): 91
- ↑ Wai, L., Burger, R. and Goossens, B. (2021). The First Documented Record of Hairy–Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sabah, Malaysia. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 38 (2): 62 - 69
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wright, LC, Olsson, A and Kanchanasaka, B (2008). A Working Review of the Hairy-Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana). IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 25 (1): 38 - 59
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Kanchanasaka, B. and Duplaix, N. (2011). Food Habits of the Hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana) and the Small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) in Pru Toa Daeng Peat Swamp Forest, Southern Thailand. Proceedings of Xth International Otter Colloquium, IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 28A: 139 - 161
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Pain, D ((2020). A Review of the Hairy-Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) in Borneo and a Recent Sighting at Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 37 (3): 171- 178
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Huda, M., Fauzil, A.F., Amran, A.I., Traeholt. C. and Silmi, M. (2019). First Record of Hairy-Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) in Southern Central Kalimantan, Indonesia . IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 36 (2): 98 - 102