Mammals
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Amphibians
Reptiles
Meet our sunshine-loving otters
The otters at Jersey Zoo live in their valley home in the beautiful zoo grounds. They spend their days swimming in the natural pool and waterfall, and resting on the banks in the sun.
When not eating, the otters show off their flexibility and agility in the water; twisting, turning and diving.
They like to follow up this aquatic activity with a siesta either in the sunshine or under their heat lamp, either way they are always curled up together, heads resting on each other’s back and looking extremely cosy.
Animal Facts
Key facts about the Asian small-clawed otter
I'm found in Asia
These otters can be found in many parts of Asia, from northeast India all the way to southern Indonesia.
My favourite food is crustaceans
Otters cleverly leave them in the sun so the shell cracks and they can get at the meat.
Otters mate for life
Male and female otters pair for life with breeding occurring throughout the year.
4kg
Average weight
12
Different vocalisations
20 years
Life expectancy in captivity
A threatening future in the wild
There are no official figures on how many Asian small-clawed otters are left in the wild, but they are classified as vulnerable due to a number of threats, including habitat destruction, trapping for their fur, draining of wetland areas for construction, and hunting when they're found in fish or shellfish farms.
A breeding programme safeguards the otter's future
The otters at Jersey Zoo are part of a European captive breeding programme, ensuring there is a diverse gene pool should they need to be reintroduced to the wild.
Our otter family also helps our expert team to develop successful husbandry techniques, which will inform how this species is looked after in captivity for years to come.
Help us care for our otters