Identification
Physical Characteristics:
Otters typically possess a long and flexible body. They have a short snout and a somewhat flattened head. Webbing extends between the toes, covering the entire digits. The claws are long, protruding from the toes, but are blunt and relatively short. Their ears are small, with rounded earflaps that cover the ear openings. The fur ranges in color from gray to reddish-brown, with a speckled or grizzled appearance and a somewhat coarse texture. The belly is a grayish-ash color, with the throat and cheeks exhibiting a white tinge. The underfur is thick and waterproof. The tail is approximately half the length of the body, long, round, and tapering from the base to the tip. The skin on the nose is bare and outlined in a horseshoe shape.
Biology and Ecology
Diet and Behavior:
The otter’s primary food source consists of fish, followed by crabs, snails, and other aquatic animals. They inhabit and actively forage in aquatic environments, including coastal areas, rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds, primarily in mountainous forest regions. Otters often hunt in clear waters. They construct their dens along the banks of these water bodies, in rock crevices, tree hollows, or by utilizing existing rock caves. In tidal zones, their activity is linked to the tides, with most activity occurring during high tide. As a result, they can be active during the day if not threatened. Otters live in family groups, typically consisting of 3-5 individuals. However, when foraging, they may gather in larger groups of 10-12 animals.
Reproduction:
Otters typically breed from February to April each year, with a gestation period of approximately 61 days. They give birth to their young in tree hollows, or earthen or stone dens, with each litter containing 2-4 pups. The mother cares for her young for about 2-3 months, and the pups remain with their parents until they are near maturity.
Distribution
Within Vietnam:
Lai Châu, Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Bắc Kạn, Hòa Bình, Quảng Ninh, Hà Nội, Gia Lai, Lâm Đồng provinces.
Worldwide:
Widely distributed across Europe and Asia.
Value
Significance:
Otters hold value for scientific research and contribute to the regulation of the populations of aquatic flora and fauna.
Status
Conservation Status:
Historically abundant in aquatic habitats, otter populations have significantly declined due to hunting for their fur and degradation of their habitats.
Classification
IUCN Red List Status: VU A1c,d C1+2a.
Conservation Measures
Protective Measures:
Listed in the Vietnam Red Book and Group IB of Decree 32/2006/NĐ-CP. Strict regulations against hunting, trade, and environmental degradation, as well as pollution of aquatic habitats are required.