Smooth-coated Otter  

Why in News?

A rare sighting of an otter was recently recorded in the Adyar River at Chennai’s Tholkappia Poonga eco-park.

• Smooth-coated otter – It is a sleek, medium-sized otter with short limbs, webbed paws, and a flattened tail.
• Scientific name – Lutrogale perspicillata.
• Habitat – Found in freshwater-rich areas such as rivers, wetlands, lakes, swamps, and rice paddies.
• Prefer shallow and placid waters.
• Though found near coastal saltwater, they require nearby freshwater sources.
• Distribution – It is found across India from the Himalayas to southern India. Also, found in the Western Ghats and northeast India, along with other otter species.
• India is home to 3 types of otters out of the 13 species of otters found worldwide.
  • Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra);
  • Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata)
  • Small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus).
• Characteristics – They are strong swimmers and fish specialists.
• Hunt in groups and often move in a V-formation while fishing.
• Diet – They mainly feed on fish.
• Behavior – They are shy and sensitive, hence difficult to spot.
• Live in family groups; usually seen in groups of 3 to 15 individuals.
• Conservation Status –
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule I.
  • IUCN Red List -Vulnerable.
• Threats – Loss of wetland habitats due to large infrastructure projects.
• Conversion of wetlands for agriculture and settlements.
• Reduction in fish stocks.
• Water pollution, poaching, and contamination by pesticides.
• Ecological importance – Apex predator in riverine ecosystems.
• Helps regulate populations of other aquatic species.
• Presence indicates clean rivers free from heavy pollution.

References

1. The Hindu | Smooth-coated Otter in Adyar River
2. WWWIndia | Smooth-coated Otter