OTTER

any of several species of semi-aquatic mammals in four genera of the weasel family (Mustelidae). They have the same general proportions as a weaselthe lithe, slender body, long neck, small ears, and short legs. The head is flattened, and the base of the tail is almost as thick as the body. Few other animals produce a fur so highly valued by man and so durable; the darker furs of northern animals are the most prized. Otters swim easily with webbed feet, and can travel underwater for 0.4 kilometre (1/4 mile) without surfacing for air. They prefer to travel by water but, their short legs notwithstanding, can travel on land faster than a man can run. Their food consists of all manner of small aquatic animals, including fish, which they catch sometimes by teamwork; they also prey on other small mammals. A litter of one to five young is born after a gestation of 6163 days. Unlike almost all other wild animals, otters are playful as adults. A favourite sport is sliding down a steep bank of mud or snow and plunging into water or a snowdrift. Otters are intelligent, friendly, and inquisitive. When obtained young, they can be trained readily. Among the best-known otter species are the following: African small-clawed otter (Aonyx philippsi) of western and central Africa, found principally in rain forests and mountain streams; also called Liberian otter; considered as three species (Paraonyx philippsi, P. congica, and P. microdon) by some authors; length about 95 centimetres (38 inches), including the 35-cm tail; weight about 7 kilograms (15 pounds); shining, dark-brown fur, pale markings on throat and face; claws, blunt and short on the partly webbed forefeet and entirely webbed hindfeet. Central American otter (Lutra annectens) of Central and South America; also called southern river otter; coat, yellowish to reddish brown with grayish brown underparts. Clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) of central and southern Africa, generally found near slow-moving water; also called African (or cape) clawless and giant African otter; length, 95100 cm exclusive of the flattened, 55-cm tail; weight, 1427 kg; fur, brown with pale chin and throat patches; claws lacking except for rudimentary claws on third and fourth hindtoes. Common otter: see Eurasian otter and river otter, below. Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) of Eurasian and North African rivers; also called common and Old World otter; length, 5683 cm, exclusive of the 3655-cm tail; shoulder height, about 30 cm; weight, 615 kg; fur, brown, paler below, white on cheeks and throat. Giant (Brazilian giant) otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), very rare species confined to slow-flowing rivers and streams of South America; species endangered as a result of hunting; also called saro and margin-tailed, or flat-tailed, otter for its flattened, ridged tail; feet, completely webbed; fur, brown with a large whitish chest patch; probably the largest otter, attaining a length of 11.5 m, excluding the 0.7-m tail. Hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana) of southern Asia, named for its finely haired nose pad; length about 130 cm, including the 50-cm tail; coat, reddish brown with whitish throat, chin, and cheeks. Oriental small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea separated as Amblonyx cinerea by some authors), of Southeast Asia; also called Asian clawless and Indian small-clawed otter; sometimes tamed and used to catch fish; weight 2.75.4 kg; length 5661 cm, excluding the 31-cm tail; fur, dark brown, paler below, with whitish throat and face markings. River otter (Lutra canadensis) River otter (Lutra canadensis; see photograph) of North American lakes and streams; also called land, common, North American, and Virginia otter; head and body length, 6575 cm; tail length, 3050 cm; weight, 512 kg; fur, glossy, dark brown, usually paler ventrally, with contrasting whitish throat and muzzle markings. Sea (great sea) otter (Enhydra lutris), rare, completely marine species of the North Pacific, usually in kelp beds; floats on its back with a stone on its chest, opening mollusks by smashing them on the stone; hindfeet large, broad, flipperlike; forefeet reduced; coat (the most expensive otter fur) thick, lustrous, reddish to dark brown, often grizzled; head and body, 76120 cm; tail length, 2537 cm; weight, 1641 kg; hunted almost to extinction by 1910, now fully protected and gradually increasing in numbers. Smooth-coated otter (Lutra perspicillata) of Southeast Asia, separated as Lutrogale perspicillata by some authors; also called smooth, or smooth Indian, otter and simung; coat, sleek reddish to blackish brown, often lighter ventrally and marked by whitish face and throat patches; length 6674 cm exclusive of the flattened; 4346-cm tail.