Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Scientific Name: Aonyx cinerea

Range: Northwest India to southeastern China, Malay peninsula, southern India, Sumatra, Java, Borneo

Habitat: Rivers, creeks, estuaries and coastal waters

Diet: Wild: Crabs, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, occasional fish Zoo: Canine diet mixed with cat food for less active cats

Gestation: 60 to 64 days

Litter: 1-6

Description: Head and body length 18 to 22", tail length 10 to 14", weight 6.6 to 13 lbs.They have relatively large, broad cheek teeth which are used to crush the shells of crabs and mollusks.While solitary individuals may be observed, they usually live in loose family groups of about 12 individuals. They have vocabularies of 12 or more calls in addition to basic instinctive cries. These diurnal animals will only occupy areas with a permanent body of water and some tree cover. They live in large, underground burrows with a ventilation shaft leading to the surface and an exit tunnel opening about 3 feet under water. They use their sensitive fingers to find clams in shallow water. They bring them to shore and pile them up, and after a few hours in the sun the clams open and the otters eat them. When they hunt in rice fields they aid farmers by ridding the fields of crayfish that damage crops. Like raccoons, they sometimes "wash" their food before eating it.The young do not open their eyes until about 40 days, and they first swim at 9 weeks. Solid food is first taken after about 80 days. The male brings food for both the mother and the young, and helps in raising the pups. Males and females appear to mate permanently.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Bornean Streamside at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.