Smooth-coated otter

Description:

Seen in the same pot as the stork. Very far from our passing boat, I wish luck to new passerbys to be able to spot them much closer. Large otters: 59 to 64 cm (23 to 25 in) in head-body length, with a tail 37 to 43 cm (15 to 17 in) long. rounded head and a hairless nose in the shape of a distorted diamond. The tail is flattened, in contrast to the more rounded tails of other species. The legs are short and strong, with large webbed feet bearing strong claws. As their name suggests, they have unusually short and sleek fur; this is dark to reddish brown along the back, while the underside is light brown to almost grey in color. Females have two pairs of teats.

Habitat:

Point of entry from the sea into the Kinabatnagan River.