A sleek, powerful, and highly social species of otter found across parts of South and Southeast Asia. As its name suggests, it has a distinctive smooth, velvety coat that sets it apart from other otters, along with a broad, flat head and a blunt nose. With its streamlined body, webbed feet, and thick tail, the smooth-coated otter is perfectly adapted for life in water—and it’s a delight to watch in action.
These otters live in a variety of freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries, and mangrove swamps, though they can also be found along coastal areas. They are excellent swimmers and spend much of their time in or near water, where they hunt for fish, their primary food source. They also eat crabs, frogs, and occasionally small mammals or birds. Their hunting style is fast and efficient—they use their sensitive whiskers to detect vibrations in the water, and they often hunt together in groups to corral fish in shallow areas.
One of the most endearing traits of the smooth-coated otter is its social behavior. These otters live in family groups, usually led by a breeding pair and their offspring from previous years. Group sizes can range from 3 to over 10 individuals, and they communicate with each other through whistles, chirps, growls, and body language. They are playful and curious, often seen sliding down muddy banks, wrestling, or rolling in the grass—behavior that isn’t just fun but helps build social bonds and keep their muscles in shape.
Smooth-coated otters are also known for their intelligence. In some regions, they’ve been observed using coordinated group tactics to catch fish, or even taking advantage of man-made fish ponds—sometimes bringing them into conflict with humans. Despite their adaptability, they face serious threats from habitat destruction, water pollution, poaching, and conflict with fish farmers.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Singapore
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
