A rare and elusive mammal that lives in the tropical forests and wetlands of Southeast Asia, including parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and possibly Cambodia and Vietnam. True to its name, this unusual animal looks like a mix between an otter and a civet — it has a long, slender body, short legs, a broad, flat head, and partially webbed feet, making it a strong swimmer. Its thick, water-repellent fur and whiskered snout help it thrive in watery environments, where it hunts for food like fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects.

One of the most interesting things about the otter civet is that it’s nocturnal and highly secretive. It spends most of its time alone, moving quietly through dense vegetation and swampy areas under the cover of darkness. Because it’s so rarely seen, scientists still know very little about its behavior in the wild. Most of what we do know comes from occasional sightings and camera trap images, making the otter civet something of a mystery mammal. Its combination of aquatic adaptations and civet-like traits makes it unique among small carnivores.

Despite its quiet nature, the otter civet is sadly in trouble. It is listed as Endangered, mostly because of habitat loss due to deforestation, palm oil plantations, and drainage of wetlands. Its specialized lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable when forests and swamps are cleared or polluted. It’s also sometimes accidentally caught in traps or hunted, even though it’s rarely seen.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Brunei

2015

Indonesia

2015

Kalimantan, Sumatera

Malaysia

2015

Thailand

2015

Presence Uncertain