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The Smooth Otters

2009.11.05

I had always read and see pictures of the otters in our Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and I told myself that I must see them for myself. I had gone there on several occasions but no sightings of them. But last Sunday, I got lucky. When I was walking towards the Reserve I saw about 4-5 of the Smooth Otters and can you imagine how excited I was ?

The Smooth Otters are the largest otter in South East Asia and they are named for their shorter, smoother coats which appears velvety and shining. They feed on fish, frogs, water rats, turtles and even large birds. They hunt both during the day and at night.

Smooth Otters are mostly found in the lowlands, in mangroves, freshwater wetlands and large forested rivers. Although adapted for water, they are equally comfortable on land. They are very playful and when excited they make short yelping barks.

As I walked further into the Reserve I saw this male otter laying on the sand and I thought it must be sick but I was wrong.

By this time, there were several other people who had gathered to watch the otter and I thought its going to swim away for otters are known to be very shy but again I was wrong.

To our surprise and delight, he came to where we were and walked around us looking around and sniffing at the ground.

..sniffing at the surrounding plants

..scratching, it's like he's showing off

This cheeky fellow was so close that if I stretched my hand out, I could touch it. I had always wanted to see the otters and now to see one at such a close up - it's like winning the lottery. It's such a wonderful feeling.