Otters are carnivorous mammals that belong to the mustelid family and the Lutrinae subfamily. They are characterized by being a very diverse group with eight genera, 12 species and some 31 subspecies. They are peculiar animals, with habits associated with the aquatic environment and quite active hunters, who in some cases even rely on the use of tools such as rocks to open the prey they feed on. Their taxonomic diversity is also associated with their wide distribution in various regions of the planet, and in this article on our site we want to present you with specific information about where otters live
Otter Distribution
Otters are present in the following continents: Asia, Africa, America and Europe This fact tells us how varied their range is of distribution. However, it is in the American continent where a greater distribution and diversity is reached, since here otters are present in almost all countries, from Canada to Argentina.
Let's find out below the specific distribution of otters in each of the continents, highlighting that in some cases the same species can be in more than one of these regions:
Otter distribution in Asia
These are some of the Asian countries where otters can be found:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Burma
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- China
- Philippines
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Japan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Nepal
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
Asian otter species are as follows:
- Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
- Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
- Hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana)
- Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)
- Oriental small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus)
Distribution of otters in Africa
In the case of the African region, these are some of the countries where we can find otters:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Ethiopia
- Guinea
- Nigeria
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
The otter species that can be found in Africa are:
- African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis)
- Spotted-necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis)
Distribution of otters in Europe
Otters are less represented in Europe, these being some of the countries where they can be found:
- Albania
- Germany
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Portugal
- United Kingdom
The species of otter that lives in European countries is the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra).
Distribution of otters in America
In relation to the American continent, as we have mentioned, otters are distributed throughout it, so that we can find them in the following countries:
- Argentina
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chili
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- The Savior
- USA
- French Guiana
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Peru
- Venezuela
The species present in America are:
- Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
- Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
- Southern river otter (Lontra provocax)
- Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis)
- Sea otter or sea cat (Lontra felina)
- North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
In the article about the Types of otters we talked about the characteristics of each species.
Otter Habitat
As we have seen, otters have a wide distribution range, being present in many countries on different continents. As expected, this is related to the type of habitat of the otter, although there is a common aspect in the habitats of all species and it is the presence of bodies of water, whether sweet or savory, they can live in places with different characteristics and conditions. Thus, the main habitats in which otters develop are the following:
Freshwater Ecosystems
A type of habitat in which otters usually develop are Stagnant freshwater wetlands with shallow depths, where swamps form. This is the case of the oriental small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus), since this is one of the ecosystems in which it develops, in addition to being present in fast-flowing rivers. We can also mention other examples of species exclusive to freshwater environments, such as the spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis) that lives in bodies of water such as rivers, reservoirs and lakes, free of contamination and sediment.
On the other hand, we have the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), which rarely strays from the aquatic environment. It can be in rocky coastal marine systems, but it is essential that it has access to fresh water. It also thrives in reservoirs, mangroves and estuaries, even in places with certain desert conditions.
S altwater Ecosystems
There are also many otters that live in systems near the sea. An example is found in the sea otter (Enhydra lutris), which is found in rocky areas and seagrass beds near the coastWe can also mention the cat otter (Lontra felina), which lives in this type of environment, but includes areas with strong winds and tides
Other habitats
There are species of otters that can live both in freshwater and s altwater ecosystems We have the cases of the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) and the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis). Others, in addition to living in one or another habitat in relation to the type of aquatic ecosystem, also live from sea level to very high places, as is the case of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), which can move to 1,000 m above sea level in the Alps and 3,360 m in the Himalayas.
Keep expanding your information and don't miss this other article: "What do otters eat?".
Conservation status of otters and protected areas
Otters generally fall into one of the categories established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Let's know the information about it:
- Oriental small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus): vulnerable. It is present in some protected areas in Asia.
- African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis): Near Threatened. It is located in several protected areas in Africa.
- Sea otter (Enhydra lutris): endangered.
- Spotted-necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis): Near Threatened. It inhabits several protected areas, such as national parks in Africa.
- North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis): least concern.
- Sea otter (Lontra felina): endangered.
- Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis): Near Threatened. However, your category may vary depending on the country you live in, since it depends on the population status of the region in question.
- Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax): Endangered. It lives in certain protected areas of Chile and Argentina.
- Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra): Near Threatened. Your categorization also varies depending on the country you live in.
- Hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana): endangered.
- Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata): vulnerable. It inhabits few protected areas in Asia.
- Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis): endangered. In 2018 it was suggested to establish protected areas where the species is distributed.
Unfortunately, many people decide to choose the otter as a pet without thinking about the consequences that this entails. In this other article we reflect on it: "Is it right to have an otter as a pet?".
