Geographical Distribution
Small Clawed Otters are found in Karnataka and the Nilgiri, Ashambu and Palni hills of Tamil Nadu, often inhabiting shallow mountain creeks up to elevations of 2,000 meters. In the North East, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh host populations of this species. Coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal too support a significant population of this species, especially the mangroves of Sunderbans. Recent studies have documented their presence in Chhattisgarh, indicating a broader range within the Eastern Ghats region. Other than these they are also known to be found in some places in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.

General Information  

size: 65-94 cm (body 40-63 cm; tail 25-35 cm) weight: 2-5 kg  

Small-clawed Otter, the smallest and possibly the most charismatic otter species in the world, is a highly dexterous and exceptionally agile animal. Its reduced claws (hence the name) and diminished webbing between its fingers allow it to skilfully pick and turn rocks and stones with absolute ease. It has a flattened head, a short, thick neck, and forward-facing eyes. They have small, rounded ears and their nose pads are dusky or pinkish in color. The body is slender, streamlined, and flexible, enabling it to groom its entire body. Covered in short, fine, dense, and velvety fur, the dorsal surface is dark grayish-brown, while the underside, especially the face and neck, is lighter cream. Frequent grooming is crucial for maintaining the fur's insulating properties.

Like the Smooth-coated Otter, the Small-clawed Otter is highly social, forming playful and dynamic family groups. It is very vocal, with a variety of calls used for communication. These otters are believed to be monogamous and may have up to two litters per year. They are extremely territorial and can sometimes be seen in groups of up to 20 individuals. During foraging, they venture farther from water than most Asiatic otters, hunting for crabs, snails, molluscs, insects, and small fish. 

Their habitats range from shrublands, grasslands, coastal regions, wetlands with tidal pools, freshwater swamps, stagnant water, meandering rivers, mangroves and mountain streams. In the Western Ghats, they inhabit narrow, fast-flowing, rocky streams surrounded by dense vegetation and tall grasses, which offer ample escape cover. They avoid open, bare areas with sparse vegetation that lack shelter. In riverine systems, they prefer banks with moderate or low vegetation structure. These otters are often spotted in irrigated paddy fields while foraging for crabs.

Threats
- Habitat destruction caused by changing land use patterns due to large scale developmental activities.
- Loss of habitats in hilly regions due to the expansion of tea and coffee plantations.
- Exploitative aquaculture practices in intertidal wetlands, particularly in the Sundarbans delta, reducing prey biomass. Mangrove loss further exacerbates habitat degradation.
- Increased human settlements, deforestation and siltation leading to disappearance of smaller hill streams.
- Pesticide runoff from plantations polluting streams, with organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals affecting the otters' physiology and leading to population decline.
- Poaching for pelts and the illegal pet trade, driven by the otter’s attractively small size and popularity as an exotic pet.