The family of the mustelids includes, among other carnivorous mammals, the otters, which are animals with a wide diversity. Their habits are associated with the aquatic environment, which depending on the species can be more continuous or of an intermediate type. The habitat of these animals can be fresh, marine or brackish water. They are peculiar, quite agile to swim and with a very active behavior.
Due to the wide diversity that exists within the group, since in different cases several subspecies have even been reported, in this article on our site we present the different types of otters. Cheer up and keep reading.
Oriental small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus)
This type of otter is native to several countries in Asia, among which we can mention: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam. It develops in various freshwater aquatic ecosystems, generally shallow, in some cases stagnant waters and in others slow or fast flowing rivers.
It has a weight range between 2.7 and 5.4 kg, with dimensions that go from 40 to 65 cm in length. It is grayish-brown in color, but the face and neck are usually lighter. It feeds mainly on invertebrates, such as crabs, molluscs and insects, but can also consume fish, rodents, snakes and amphibians.
African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis)
Also known as the swamp otter, it is well distributed in several African countries. It is an aquatic species that rarely strays from this environment. Although it may be present in the marine environment, access to fresh water is essential. It is found in rocky coasts, mangroves, estuaries, reservoirs, rivers and even in desert areas. Eat fish, frogs, crabs and insects.
It is one of the largest species, measuring from about 76 to 88 cm in length, with a weight that ranges from 10 and the 22 kg. Its color is dark brown and it has a white coloration below the mouth towards the chest. It lacks claws, except for the presence of small ones on certain fingers that it uses to groom itself.
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
The species is native to Canada, the United States and Russia It develops in various marine spaces near the coast, but is normally found in rocky areas with an important presence of algae, although the latter may also be absent. It can dive over 50 m, but prefers to dive to shallower depths.
Coloration is brown or reddish with a lighter head. Females weigh up to about 30 kg, while males do not usually exceed 40 kg. They measure between 1 and 1.5 m long, the males being larger. It feeds on sea urchins, clams, mussels, octopus and fish, among others.
In this other post we talk in depth about feeding otters.
Spotted-necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis)
Distributed throughout Southern Central Africa and in humid areas of the sub-Saharan region. It is a freshwater species that lives in ecosystems without sediment and that are not polluted. Thus, it develops in large lakes, open water bodies, rivers and reservoirs
It is distinguished by its brown and white spots on the neck, in the rest of the body it has a brown or reddish coloration. It measures from 85 cm to 1 m and has an average weight of 4 kg. It feeds mainly on fish, but can include frogs, crabs, insects and birds.
North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
This type of otter is native to Canada and the United States and an uncertain presence has been reported in Mexico. It has aquatic habits, which can be both freshwater and s altwater, so that inhabits rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries and swampsThe condition for their presence in one of these ecosystems is the availability of food and its quality, since it is susceptible to contamination. It is common for it to be associated with spaces modified by the American beaver (Castor canadensis).
It has a long body, like the tail, well adapted for swimming, with a weight range between 5 and 15 kg and dimensions that go from 90 cm to 1.3 m in length. The fur is soft, between brown and almost black, but lighter in its ventral area. Their carnivorous diet is primarily based on fish, but also includes frogs, crayfish and birds, depending on the presence of the latter animals.
Otter cat (Lontra felina)
Due to its scientific name, it is also known as a sea cat or sea otter. It is native to Argentina, Chile and Peru Within the genus, it is the only species that exclusively inhabits marine ecosystems, in which it is quite agile. It moves in a range of up to about 30 m on land above sea level and from 100 to 150 m deep in the sea, mainly in rocky areas with strong winds and abundant algae. Eventually it can move to rivers in search of food.
It is the smallest species of its genus, on average it measures 90 cm in length and weighs between 3 and 5 kg. The fur is dark laterally and on the back, but light on the ventral level. It feeds mainly on crustaceans and molluscs, although it can include fish, birds and small mammals.
Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis)
This is a type of otter with a greater distribution than the previous ones, specifically in America. It has a wide presence that goes from the northeast of Mexico, extending through South America, to Argentina, although it has not been reported in Chile. It is distributed in a variety of aquatic habitats including rivers, lakes, lagoons, marshes, mangroves and coasts It is found from rocky marine areas to warm or cold forests, savannahs coastal and wetlands.
Measures between 36 and 66 cm in length and has a long tail. It has a shiny greyish-brown coat, being lighter in color on the belly and throat. Due to the diversity of habitats in which it is found, it has an opportunistic diet, which includes fish, crustaceans, amphibians, mammals and birds.
Southern river otter (Lontra provocax)
This species of otter is native to Argentina and Chile, found in temperate forests of the region, in fresh waters to the north, but in marine environments in the south. It inhabits Andean lakes, lagoons, rivers that vary in size and estuaries. In marine ecosystems it is located towards the coast, since it does not move to open waters, while in freshwater ecosystems it opts for those with abundant vegetation.
Its size is medium, measuring around one meter in length. The fur is velvety, brown in color, except for the ventral region, which is lighter. It is an aquatic forager, feeding on fish and crustaceans that it captures towards the bottom of the water.
Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
It is one of the most widespread types of otters, distributed in Europe, Asia and Africa In addition, a large number of variety of subspecies. Due to its extension, it is distributed in an important diversity of habitats that include lakes, rivers, streams, swamps and coastal areasIn addition, it has a range that goes from sea level to 4,120 m high.
Its color is brown in the upper region and lightens towards the bottom. It measures between 50 cm and almost a meter in length and weighs between 7 and 12 kg. Fish consumption represents more than 80% of their diet, the other percentage depends on the availability in the environment, so they can eat insects, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, birds and crustaceans.
Hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana)
In this case, we have a type of otter native to Asia, specifically from countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand and Viet Nam. The habitat is primarily represented by peat swamp forests, flooded areas and tropical forests In this sense, do not miss this other post about Animals that live in the forest.
Its fur matches that of other species of otters, almost all brown except on the ventral area, which is lighter. It measures about 60 cm although it can reach 82 cm in length, and weighs between 5 and 8 kg. The main foods are fish and water snakes, but it also includes frogs, lizards, turtles, mammals and insects.
Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)
Distributed mainly in South Asia, but there is a population in Iraq. It grows in plains and semi-arid regions, associated with large lakes and rivers, also in swampy peat forests, mangroves, estuaries, and it commonly moves to rice fields. Although it moves well in the water, it also does well on land.
It is the largest type of otter in the Southeast Asia region, weighing from 7 to 11 kg, with a dimension of up to 1.3 m in length. Its hair is shorter than that of other species, as well as shiny. The coloration ranges from dark to light brown and becomes even lighter towards the belly. Although it prefers fish, it also includes insects, shrimp, crabs, rodents, and frogs.
Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
It is native to South America, distributed throughout Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. It inhabits freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, streams, lakes and swamps, which can be thick with dark or clear waters, depending on the region.
It is distinguished from all other types of otters by being the largest and most sociable of these animals. The giant otter measures from 1 to almost 2 m long, with weights ranging from 22 to 32 kg, with males being the largest. Although some sea otters can be heavier, they are not larger. Its color is brown or reddish, with quite short fur. Although it is true that it feeds mainly on fish, it can also devour alligators and other species of vertebrate animals.
With this species we finish the list of types of otters which, as you have seen, is really varied. Without a doubt, they are extraordinary animals that must live in their natural habitats. However, pollution is causing many species to be threatened. In addition, in recent years the "fashion" of having them as a pet has emerged, something we reflect on in this other article: "Is it right to have an otter as a pet?"
