Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A review of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Lutrinae) in Malaysia and Singapore

  • Chapter
Ecology and Conservation of Southeast Asian Marine and Freshwater Environments including Wetlands

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 98))

Abstract

Four species of otters have been recorded from Malaysia and Singapore in the past: Lutra lutra (Common or Eurasian Otter), Lutra sumatrana (Hairy-nosed Otter), Lutrogale perspicillata (Smooth Otter) and Amblonyx cinereus (Oriental Small-clawed Otter). All four are listed in the Threatened Species Categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals: L. lutra is designated ‘Vulnerable’ and the status of the other three Asian species are ‘Insufficiently Known’ due to lack of information. From a review of the available literature and collation of museum records from Malaysia and Singapore, the past status of the four species are examined. Presently, only L. perspicillata and A. cinereus are common in Peninsular Malaysia where they are widely distributed, but both are rare in Singapore. L. sumatrana is rare but apparently still found in East Malaysia. It is possible that L. lutra did not range in Malaysia this century.Information about the habitat types, group size, range, diet and behaviour for all the species is poorly known. The available information allows a discussion of the Smooth and Small-clawed Otters only. This dearth of knowledge has hampered maintenance and breeding efforts of zoos and conservation activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allen, G. M. & H. J. Coolidge Jr., 1940. Mammal and bird collections of the Asiatic Primate Expedition. Bull. Mus. comp. Zool., Harvard Coll. 87: 121–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J., 1878. Anatomical and zoological researches comprising an account of the zoological results of the two expeditions to Western Yunnan in 1868 and 1875. Mammalia.1. Bernard Quaritch, Lond., 951 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ansell, W. F. H., 1947. Notes on some Burmese mammals. J. Bombay nat. hist. Soc. 47: 379–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Badham, M., 1973. Breeding the Indian smooth otter. Int. Zoo Yb. 13: 145–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banks, E., 1931. A popular account of the mammals of Borneo. J. mal. Br. r. asia. Soc. 9: 1–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banks, E., 1949. Bornean Mammals. The Kuching Press, Kuching, 83 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanford, W. T., 1888. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma. Mammalia. 1. Taylor & Francis, Lond., 617 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonhote, J. L., 1903. Report on the mammals. In N. Annan-dale & H. C. Robinson (eds), Fasciculi Malayenses: Zool-ogy part 1. Univ. Press, Lond.: 1–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, J. A. & B. Pearson, 1987. Collins Guide to Rare Mammals of the World. William Collins & Sons Co. Ltd., Glasgow, 240 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calle, P. P. & P. T. Robinson, 1985. Glucosuria associated with renal calculi in Asian small-clawed otters. J. am. vet. med. Ass., 187: 1149–1153.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cantor, T., 1846. Catalogue of Mammalia inhabiting the Malayan Peninsula and Islands. J. asia. soc. Beng. 15: 171–203, 241–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chanin, P., 1985. The Natural History of Otters. Christopher Helm, Lond., 179 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chasen, F. N., 1924. A preliminary account of the mammals of Singapore Island. The Singapore Naturalist. 3: 76–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chasen, F. N., 1925a. A preliminary account of the mammals of Singapore Island. The Singapore Naturalist. 5: 74–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chasen, F. N., 1925b. Notes on the fauna of Pulau Galang, Rhio Archipelago. (Records of the Raffles Museum, No. 10). J. mal. Br. r. asia Soc. 3: 92–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chasen, F. N., 1940. A handlist of Malaysian mammals. Bull. Raffles Mus. 15: 1–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chasen, F. N. & C. B. Kloss, 1931. On a collection of mammals from the lowlands and islands of North Borneo. Bull. Raffles Mus. 6: 1–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • CITES, 1983. CITES otter identification sheets. (Appendix 1). In Foster-Turley etal, op. cit.: 90–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbet, G. B. & J. E. Hill, 1991. A World List of Mammalian Species. Third edition. British Museum (Natural History), Lond., 243 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, G. & J. Payne, 1982. A faunal survey of Sabah. Prepared by WWF Malaysia for Game Branch, Forest Department,Sabah. IUCN/WWF Project No. 1692:141–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, D. D., 1958. Mammals of the Kelebit Plateau, Northern Sarawak. Fieldiana. 39: 119–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, D. D., 1962. Mammals of the lowland rain-forest of North Borneo. Bull. Singapore Natl Mus. 31: 1–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J. A., 1978. A classification of the otters. In N. Duplaix (ed.). Proc. First Working Meeting of the Otter Specialist Group. IUCN, Morges: 14–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison, G. W. H. & K. B. Heang, 1987. Mammals of Ulu Endau, Johore, Malaysia. Malay. Nat. J. 41: 435–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desai, J. H., 1974. Observations on the breeding habits of the Indian smooth otter. Int. Zoo Yb. 14: 123–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duplaix-Hall, N., 1972. Notes on maintaining river otters in captivity. Int. Zoo Yb. 12: 181–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duplaix-Hall, N., 1975. River otters in captivity: a review. In R. D. Martin (ed.), 1975. Breeding Endangered Species In Captivity. Academic Press, Lond.: 315–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellerman, J. R. & T. C. S. Morrison-Scott, 1951. Checklist of Palearctic and Indian Mammals, 1758 to 1946. British Museum (Natural History), Lond., 810 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Estes, J. A., 1989. Adaptations for aquatic living by carnivores.In J. L. Gittleman (ed.), Carnivore Behavior, Ecology and Evolution. Cornell University Press, N.Y.: 242–282.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ewer, R. F., 1973. The Carnivores. Cornell Univ. Press, N.Y., 494 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flesness, N. R. & T. J. Foose, 1990. The role of captive breeding in the conservation of species. In IUCN, 1990. IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland: xi–xv.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flower, S. S., 1900. On the mammalia of Siam and the Malay Peninsula. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., Apr. 3: 306–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster-Turley, P. & S. Engfer, 1988. The species survival plan for the Asian small-clawed otter. Int. Zoo Yb. 27: 79–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster-Turley, P., 1989. The role of protected areas in otter conservation. In Proc. Intl Conf. Natl Pks and Protected Areas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 13–15 November 1989. Dept Wildl. Natl Pks, Peninsular Malaysia: 23–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster-Turley, P., 1990. Otters in captivity. In Foster-Turley etal., op. cit.: 17–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster-Turley, P., S. Macdonald & C. Mason, (eds), 1990. Otters An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group, Gland, 126 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster-Turley, P. & C. Santiapillai, 1990. Action plan for Asian otters. In Foster-Turley et al, op. cit.: 52–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furuyu, Y., 1977. Otters in Padas Bay, Sabah, Malaysia. J. mam. Soc. Jpn. 7: 39–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gudger, E. W., 1927. Fishing with the otter. Am. Nat. 61: 193–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, C. J., 1968. Otters: A Study of the Recent Lutrinae. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Lond., 397 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, J. L., 1964. An Introduction to the Mammals of Sabah. The Sabah Society, Kota Kinabalu, 244 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, J. L., 1966. An Introduction to the Mammals of Singapore and Malaya. The Singapore Branch, Malayan Nature Society, Singapore, 340 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, 1969. The abundance and population density of mammals in Malayan lowland forests. Malay. Nat. J. 22: 174–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J. E., 1960. The Robinson Collection of Malaysian mammals. Bull. Raffles Mus. 29: 1–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiscock, R., 1990. Report on the sighting of a large otter in Singapore. The Pangolin. 3: 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Honacki, J. H., K. E. Kinman & J. W. Koeppl, 1982. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Allen Press Inc. & The Association of System-atics Collections, Lawrence, Kansas, 694 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inskipp, T. & J. Barzdo, 1988. A World Checklist of Threatened Animals. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, 130 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ironmonger, J., 1992. The Good Zoo Guide. HarperCollins, Lond., 208 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN, 1990. 1990 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland, 192 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janßen, W., 1991. The otter’s role in education. In C. Reuther & R. Röchert (eds), Proc. V. Intl Otter Colloq., Hankens-büttel, 1989. Habitat 6: 323–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemper, C., 1988. The mammals of Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. Malay. Nat. J. 42: 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloss, C. B., 1908. A Provisional List of the Mammals of the Peninsular Region. J. Fed. Malay States Mus. 2: 147–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloss, C. B., 1909. The Primates, Carnivores and Ungulates of the Peninsular region. J. str. Br. r. asia. Soc. 153: 1–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster, W. E., 1975. Exhibiting and breeding the Asian small-clawed otter Amblonyx cinerea at Adelaide Zoo. Int. Zoo Yb. 15: 63–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, E. M., 1977. What are endangered species? Int. Zoo Yb. 17: 2–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lekagul, B. & J. A. McNeely, 1988. Mammals of Thailand. Second edition. Darnsutha Press, Thailand, 758 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leslie, G., 1971. Further observations on the Oriental small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinerea) at Aberdeen Zoo. Int. Zoo Yb. 11: 113–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, B. L., 1985. Geographic areas of Southeast Asia poorly represented in mammal research collections. Acta zool. fenn. 170: 53–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim, B. L., 1991. Mustelids of Malaysia. Nature Malaysiana. 16: 80–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim, K. K. P., 1990. Comments on the sighting of a large otter at Sungei Buloh, Singapore, with notes on the status of otters (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Singapore. The Pangolin, 3: 23–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lydekker, R., 1894. The Royal Natural History. Mammals. 2. Frederick Warne, Lond., 583 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, S. M. & N. Duplaix, 1983. The otter, symbol of our threatened fauna. Naturopa. 45: 14–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, S. M. & C. F. Mason, 1990. Action Plan for European Otters. In Foster-Turley etal., op. cit.: 29–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markowitz, H., 1982. Behavioural Enrichment in the Zoo. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., N.Y., 210 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, C. F., 1989. Water pollution and otter distribution: a review. Lutra. 32: 97–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, C. F. & S. M. Macdonald, 1986. Otters: ecology and conservation. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 236 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, G., 1960. Ring of Bright Water. Penguin Group, Lond., 212 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medway, L., 1969. The wild mammals of Malaya and Singapore.Oxford Univ. Press, Lond., 128 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medway, L., 1977. Mammals of Borneo: Field keys and an annotated checklist. Monogrs. mal. Br. r. asia. Soc. 7: 1–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medway, L., 1978. The Wild Mammals of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) and Singapore. Second edition. Oxford Univ. Press, Kuala Lumpur, 128 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medway, L., 1983. The Wild Mammals of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) and Singapore. Second edition reprinted with corrections. Oxford Univ. Press, Kuala Lumpur, 131pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melquist, W. E. & M. G. Hornocker, 1983. Ecology of river otters in west central Idaho. Wildl. Monogr. 83: 1–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G. S., 1900. Mammals collected by Dr. W. L. Abbott on Pulo Lankawi and the Butang Islands. Proc. biol. Soc. Wash. 13: 187–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, G. H., 1983. Urinary calculi in two otters (Amblyocix semaria). J. Zoo an. Med. 14: 72–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nor, B. H. M., 1989. Preliminary study on food preference of Lutra perspicillata and Aonyx cinerea in Tanjung Piandang, Perak. J. Wildl. Natl Parks. 8: 47–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nor, B. H. M., 1990a. A survey of the distribution of otters in Pulau Pinang and Perlis. J. Wildl. Natl Parks. 9: 53–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nor, B. H. M., 1990b. Observation on the parental investment by Small-clawed Otter in captivity. J. Wildl. Natl Parks. 9: 47–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowak, R. M., 1991 (ed.). Walker’s Mammals of the World. 5th edition. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore & London. 2: 1135–1143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osman, B. & S. Shariff, 1988. A preliminary survey on the status and distribution of otters in Peninsular Malaysia. IUCN/SSC Asian Otter Specialist Group Newsletter. 1: 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, J., C. M. Francis & K. Phillips, 1985. Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo. The Sabah Society with World Wildlife Fund Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 332 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pellis, S. M., 1984. Two aspects of play-fighting in a captive group of Oriental Small-clawed Otters Amblonyx cinerea. Z. Tierpsychol. 65: 77–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pocock, R. I., 1921. On the external characters of some species of Lutrinae (Otters). Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 1921: 535–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pocock, R. I., 1941. The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma. Mammalia. 2. Taylor & Francis, Lond., 503 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pohle, H., 1919. Die Unterfamilie der Lutrinae. (Eine systematisch-tiergoegraphische Studie an dem Material der Berliner Museen.). Archiv for Naturgeschichte. 85A: 1–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuther, C., 1991. Otters in captivity -a review with special reference to Lutra lutra. In C. Reuther & R. Röchert (eds), Proc. V. Intl Otter Colloq., Hankensbüttel, 1989. Habitat 6: 269–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridley, H. N., 1895. The mammals of the Malay Peninsula. 2. Natural Science, Skodsberg. 6: 89–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, H. C. & C. B. Kloss, 1909. In T. Oldfield & R. C. Wroughton, 1909. On mammals from the Rhio Archipelago and Malay Peninsula collected by Messrs. H. C. Robinson, C. Boden Kloss and E. Seimund, and pre-sented to the National Museum by the Government of the Federated Malay States. J. fed. malay states Mus. 4: 99–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogoschik, B. & B. Brandes, 1991. Diseases among captive otters. In C. Reuther & R. Röchert (eds), Proc. V. Intl Otter Colloq., Hankensbüttel, 1989. Habitat 6: 309–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sebastian, A. C., in prep. A preliminary faunal survey of Ulu Lepar Lake System, Pahang, West Malaysia. Asian Wetlands Bureau, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, D. A. & C. M. Poole, 1989. A Status Overview of Asian Wetlands. Asian Wetlands Bureau, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. no. 53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, C. R., 1972. New otter exhibit at Zurich zoo. Int. Zoo Yb. 12: 83–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shariff, S., 1984. Some observations on otters at Kuala Gula, Perak and National Park, Pahang. J. Wildl. Natl Parks. 3: 75–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shariff, S., 1985. The occurrence of otters in the rice fields and coastal islands, and the comparison of these habitats. J. Wildl. Natl Parks. 4: 20–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, G. G., 1945. The principles of classification and a classification of mammals. Bull. am. Mus. nat. Hist. 85: 1–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. A., 1919. In F. N. Chasen (ed.), On mammals from Siam. J. siam Soc. nat. Hist. Suppl. 10: 31–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tate, G. H. H., 1947. Mammals of Eastern Asia. The Mac-millan Co., N.Y., 366 pp.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Timmis, W. H., 1971. Observations on breeding the Oriental short-clawed otter Amblonyx cinerea at Chester Zoo. Int. Zoo Yb. 11: 109–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Bree, P. J. H., 1968. Einige Bemerkungen über den Glat-totter,Lutrogale perspicillata (Is. Geoffroy, 1826) (Carnivora, Lutrinae), aus dem Indo-Australischen Archipel. Der Zoologische Garten. 35: 30–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Bree, P. J. H. & M. Sc. Boeadi, 1978. Notes on the Mountain Weasel, Mustela lutreolina Robinson and Thomas, 1917. Z. Saugetierk. 43: 166–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Zyll de Jong, C. G., 1987. A phylogenetic study of the Lutrinae (Carnivora: Mustelidae) using morphological data. Can. J. Zool. 65: 2536–2544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Zyll de Jong, C. G., 1991. A brief review of the system-atics and a classification of the Lutrinae. In C. Reuther & R. Röchert (eds), Proc. V. Intl Otter Colloq., Hankensbüt-tel, 1989. Habitat 6: 79–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wayre, P., 1974. Otters in West Malaysia. IUCN and WWF Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 38 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wayre, P., 1976. The River People. Souvenir Press, Lond., 187 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wayre, P., 1989. Operation Otter. Chatto & Windus, Lond., 166 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willemsen, G. F., 1980. Comparative study of the functional morphology of some Lutrinae, especially Lutra lutra, Lutrogale perspicillata and the Pleistocene Isolalutra cretensis. Proc. K. ned. Akad. Wet. B83: 289–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willemsen, G. F., 1986. Lutrogale palaeoleptonyx (Dubois, 1908). A fossil otter from Java in the Dubois collection. Proc. K. ned. Akad. Wet. B89: 195–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, C., in press. Otters in captivity. In J. Estes & C. Santiapillai (eds), Proc. Intl Asian Otter Symp., Bangalore, India. October, 1988. (not seen)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadav, R. N., 1967. Breeding the Smooth-coated Indian otter at Jaipur Zoo. Int. Zoo Yb. 7: 130–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, C. M., K. Yong & K. K. P. Lim, 1990. Wild mammals of Singapore. In L. M. Chou & P. K. L. Ng (eds), Essays in Zoology: Papers Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Department of Zoology, National University of Singapore,Dept Zool. N.U.S., Singapore: 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 0511, Singapore

    N. Sivasothi

  2. Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Km 10, Jln. Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, 50664, Malaysia

    Burhanuddin Hj. Md. Nor

Authors
  1. N. Sivasothi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Burhanuddin Hj. Md. Nor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Society of Marine Sciences, Zoology Department, University of Malaya, 59100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    A. Sasekumar (Chairman, Organising Committee) & President of the Malaysian) & N. Marshall (Adjunct Professor) (Chairman, Organising Committee) & President of the Malaysian) &  (Adjunct Professor)

  2. Horn Point Environmental Labs, Cambridge, MD, 21613, USA

    N. Marshall (Adjunct Professor) (Adjunct Professor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sivasothi, N., Nor, B.H.M. (1994). A review of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Lutrinae) in Malaysia and Singapore. In: Sasekumar, A., Marshall, N., Macintosh, D.J. (eds) Ecology and Conservation of Southeast Asian Marine and Freshwater Environments including Wetlands. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 98. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0958-1_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0958-1_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4414-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0958-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation