Editing Asian small-clawed otter (section)

== Behaviour and ecology ==
[[File:Aonyx cinerea - Zoo Frankfurt 1.jpg|thumb|Family group of Asian small-clawed otters]]
The Asian small-clawed otter is mostly active after dark.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hutton |first1=A. F. |year=1949 |title=Notes on the Snakes and the Mammals of the High Wavy Mountains, Madura District, South India. Part II – Mammals |journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |volume=48 |issue=4 |pages=681–694 |url=https://archive.org/details/journalofbo4819481949bomb/page/681}}</ref><ref name=Foster-Turley1992>{{cite thesis |last1=Foster-Turley, P. |year=1992 |title=Conservation ecology of sympatric Asian otters ''Aonyx cinerea'' and ''Lutra perspicillata'' |type=PhD Dissertation |publisher=University of Florida |location=Gainesville, Florida |url=https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00003268/00001/146j}}</ref>
It lives in groups of up to 15 individuals.<ref name=Foster-Turley1992/> In the Bangladesh [[Sundarbans]], 53 individuals were recorded in {{convert|351|km|abbr=on}} of water courses in 13 locations between November 2014 and March 2015. Group size ranged from one to 12 individuals.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Aziz, M.A. |year=2018 |title=Notes on population status and feeding behaviour of Asian Small-clawed otter (''Aonyx cinereus'') in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh |journal=IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=3–10 |url=https://www.iucnosgbull.org/Volume35/Aziz_2018.html}}</ref>
Group members communicate using 12 or more distinct calls, and utter a variety of yelps and whimpers.<ref name=Timmins1971/> When disturbed, they scream to rally the help of others.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Sivasothi, N. |author2=Nor, B. H. M. |name-list-style=amp |year=1994 |title=A review of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Lutrinae) in Malaysia and Singapore |journal=Hydrobiologia  |volume=285 |issue=1–3 |pages=1–3 |doi=10.1007/BF00005663 |s2cid=44011643}}</ref>

When swimming on the surface, otters row with the forelimbs and paddle with the hind limbs.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Fish, F. E. |year=1994 |title=Association of propulsive swimming mode with behaviour in the river otters (''Lutra canadensis'') |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=75 |issue=4 |pages=989–997 |doi=10.2307/1382481 |jstor=1382481}}</ref> When diving under water, they undulate their bodies and tails. Captive otters swim at speeds of {{convert|0.7-1.2|m/s|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Borgwardt1999/>

Observations of wild Asian small-clawed otters revealed that they smear their [[spraint]] at [[Animal latrine|latrine]] sites, using their hind feet and tails. Large groups smeared more than groups of three or fewer animals. The frequency of latrines with smeared scats varied in different locations, indicating a preference for certain sites. Spraint smearing most likely facilitates social ties among group members and is associated with [[territorial marking]] displays. They use grassy or sandy banks for resting, sun bathing and grooming. In marshes, they use mostly islands.<ref name=Foster-Turley1992/>

=== Diet ===
[[File:Otters_at_feeding_time_2004_SMC.jpg|thumb|Asian small-clawed otters feeding in [[Edinburgh Zoo]]]]
The Asian small-clawed otter feeds mainly on [[crab]]s, [[mudskipper]]s and ''[[Trichogaster]]'' fish. Its diet varies seasonally. When and where available, it also catches snakes, frogs, insects, rats and ricefield fish like [[catfish]], ''[[Anabas testudineus]]'' and ''[[Channa striata]]''.<ref name=Foster-Turley1992/>
The size of crabs found in spraints in [[Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary]] ranged in [[carapace]] width from {{cvt|10|to|44|cm}}.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Kruuk, H. |author2=Kanchanasaka, B. |author3=O'Sullivian, S. |author4=Wanghongsa, S. |name-list-style=amp |year=1994 |title=Niche separation in three sympatric otters ''Lutra perspicillata'', ''Lutra lutra'' and ''Aonyx cinerea'' in Huai Kha Khaeng, Thailand |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=69 |issue=1 |pages=115–210 |doi=10.1016/0006-3207(94)90334-4 |bibcode=1994BCons..69..115K}}</ref>
Captive Asian small-clawed otters were observed to leave [[shellfish]] in the sun so the heat causes them to open, making it possible for them to eat them without having to crush the shells.<ref name=Timmins1971/>

=== Reproduction ===
[[File:2018-07-21 AT Wien 13 Hietzing, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Aonyx cinereus (49288100381).jpg|thumb|Captive pups]]
Information about the Asian small-clawed otter's [[mating]] and breeding behaviour has been studied in captive environments. Captive pairs are [[monogamy in animals|monogamous]]. The [[estrous cycle]] of females lasts 28 to 30 days with [[estrus]] lasting between one and 13 days. Usually, mating takes place in the water.<ref name=Lancaster1975>{{cite journal |author=Lancaster, W. E. |year=1975 |title=Exhibiting and breeding the Asian small-clawed otter at Adelaide Zoo |journal=International Zoo Yearbook |volume=15 |pages=63–65 |doi=10.1111/j.1748-1090.1975.tb01355.x}}</ref>
[[Gestation]] lasts 62 to 86 days. Interval between births is at least eight months.<ref>{{cite thesis |author=Sobel, G. |title=Development and validation of noninvasive, fecal steroid monitoring procedures for the Asian small-clawed otter, ''Aonyx cinerea'' |type=Master of Science |publisher=University of Florida |year=1996 |location=Gainesville, Florida}}</ref>
About two weeks before [[parturition]], both female and male engage in building a nest. They collect grass, hay or straw and carry this material into the breeding chamber. Between one and seven pups are born in a [[Litter (animal)|litter]]. Pups are born with closed eyes, which open in the fifth week.<ref name=Lancaster1975/>
Newborn pups weigh between {{cvt|45.6|and|62.5|g}} and reach a weight of {{cvt|410-988|g}} after 60 days.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Maslanka, M. T. |author2=Crissey, S. D. |name-list-style=amp |year=1998 |chapter=Nutrition and diet |pages=1–18 |title=Asian small-clawed otter (''Aonyx cinerea'') husbandary manual |editor1=Lombardi, D. |editor2=O’Connor, J. |publisher=Columbus Zoological Gardens and AZA Asian Small-Clawed Otter SSP |location=Powell, Ohio}}</ref> They start exploring the environs of the breeding den at the age of ten weeks. At about three months, they enter and paddle in shallow water under the guidance of the mother. They become independent at the age of four to five months.<ref name=Lancaster1975/>