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Range and Habitat: Found in southern India, the lower
elevations of the Himalayas, southern China, southeastern Asia,
Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Palawan. Streams, estuaries, coastal
regions, rivers and lakes.
Habits and Adaptations: Usually noted in groups. The small
claws seem to be accompanied by extremely sensitive sense of touch
in the paws, which are probably used in locating and feeling prey
in mud or under stones.
Diet: Feeds on mussels, snails and crabs - probably more
than river otter, so that direct competition between the two is
avoided where they occur together.
Breeding and Maturation: Gestation is 60-64 days. Litter
size is 1-7. They may have 2 litters per year. 48-57 g (1.7-2
oz) at birth. They leave the den at 9-10 weeks.
Miscellaneous: In parts of Asia, some species of otters
have been trained to catch and bring fish to their owners. The
oriental small-clawed otter is reported to be kept tame and employed
by fishermen in Malacca.
Links:
Small Carnivore Taxon Advisory Group (SCTAG) page on small-clawed
otters:
http://pjc.edu/sctag/SCOTTER/ASCOpage.htm
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