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.
ElusiveSemiaquatic
Licensed reference(c) IOSF1957, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fish
- Water snakes
- Crabs
Predators
- Large pythons
- Crocodiles
- Large birds of prey
ThreatsHabitat destruction from peatland drainage, poaching for fur, and accidental drowning in fishing gear
HabitatsPeat swamp forests, flooded forests, coastal mangroves, and marshlands
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMustelidae
- SpeciesLutra sumatrana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of a defensive bite if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a fully furred nose pad, a distinct white throat, and a flattened head shape.
- Support conservation
- Never disclose precise sighting locations publicly and avoid using flash photography near nesting sites.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Sympatric Competitor "Smooth-coated Otter" by Mike Prince is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Sympatric Relative "Asian Small-Clawed Otter" by SidPix is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative Bernard Landgraf / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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