Species · GBIF taxon 2433752
Hairy-nosed Otter
Lutra sumatranaAlso known as Sumatran Otter
Hairy-nosed otters are among the rarest mammals in Southeast Asia, distinguished by a fully furred nose pad and a starkly contrasting white throat. They navigate dense peat swamp forests and flooded woodlands with remarkable agility, hunting for fish and water snakes under the cover of twilight. Their survival hinges on the preservation of pristine, undisturbed wetland ecosystems.
ElusiveSemiaquaticEndangered
Licensed reference(c) IOSF1957, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Primarily fish, water snakes, frogs, crabs, and aquatic insects
- family
- Mustelidae
- threats
- Habitat destruction from peatland drainage, poaching for fur, and accidental drowning in fishing gear
- life Span
- 10 to 15 years
EN
Capable of a defensive bite if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Listed as Endangered due to extreme rarity, severe habitat loss from peatland conversion, and targeted poaching.
Never disclose precise sighting locations publicly and avoid using flash photography near nesting sites.- Look for tracks: Search for five-toed webbed footprints in soft peat mud near water edges.
- Keep your distance: Avoid disturbing swamp margins to prevent stressing this highly sensitive species.