Asian Short Clawed Otter

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Scientific name: Aonyx cinerea

Class: Mammals

Continent: Asia

Habitat: Riversm marshes, swamps and lakes

Diet: Carnivorous

Weight: 1 - 5 kg

Size: Up to 95 cm

Blackpool Zoo’s Asian short clawed otters are very popular with the visitors as they are particularly vocal, especially at feeding time. Once again, habitat destruction has played a big part in the reduction of numbers of this species in their native Asia, leaving them classed as “vulnerable”. Pesticides on farmland and in rivers and illegal hunting for fur also destroy large numbers of otters.

This species mates for life, but resides happily in a group of about twelve individuals. The females are capable of giving birth to up to seven young twice a year during their 10 year lifespan in the wild, or up to 20 years in captivity. In the Zoo, they are fed on protein pellets, chicken, fish, mice and small amounts of fruit and vegetables.

Conservation status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated