SMOOTH
COATED OTTER - ENVIRONMENT
News:
Insufficient data hinders
otter conservation in northeast India
What's
in the news?
●
With some of the best otter habitats in
India, the northeast region is home to all three otter species found in the
country.
Key
takeaways:
●
A low-profile species, otters are
under-researched across India. The first otter survey in northeast India was
conducted along the Kameng river in
Pakke Tiger Reserve only in 2019.
●
Otters in the region are threatened by
excessive hunting for the illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable fishing.
●
Experts say detailed surveys and research
inputs on the species are needed to formulate effective conservation plans.
Smooth-Coated Otter:
●
It is a species of otter, the only extant
representative of the genus Lutrogale.
Scientific
Name: Lutrogale perspicillata
Distribution:
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They are found throughout much of southern Asia, from India eastward.
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There is also an isolated population found
in the marshes of Iraq.
Habitat:
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They are mostly found in lowlands, coastal
mangrove forests, peat swamp forests, freshwater wetlands, large forested
rivers, lakes and rice paddies.
●
Some build permanent burrows near water
with an underwater entrance and a tunnel that leads to a chamber above the
high-water line.
●
Although adapted for water, smooth-coated
otters are equally comfortable on land and can travel long distances overland
in search of suitable habitat.
Features:
●
They are the largest otter in Southeast
Asia. They weigh 7-11 kg as adults and can be up to 1.3 m long.
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As its name indicates, the fur of this species is smoother and shorter
than that of other otters.
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The fur is light to dark brown dorsally
and light brown to almost gray ventrally.
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They have short, tightly packed under fur
and longer, water-repellant guard hairs.
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They are strong swimmers and hunt in groups. When fishing, they travel in a
V-formation going upstream.
Conservation
Status:
●
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
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Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II