Editing Asian small-clawed otter

{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Asian small-clawed otter
| image = Otter - melbourne zoo.jpg
| image_caption = At [[Melbourne Zoo]], Australia
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Aonyx cinereus'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Wright, L. |author2=de Silva, P. |author3=Chan, B. |author4=Reza Lubis, I. |author5=Basak, S. |date=2021 |page=e.T44166A164580923 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T44166A164580923.en |access-date=10 December 2022}}</ref>
| status2 = CITES_A1
| status2_system = CITES
| status2_ref = <ref name=iucn/>
| genus = Aonyx
| species = cinereus
| authority = ([[Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger|Illiger]], 1815)
| display_parents = 2
| synonyms = ''Amblonyx cinereus''<br/>''Aonyx cinerea''
| range_map = Oriental Small-clawed Otter area.png
| range_map_caption = Asian small-clawed otter native range (in green)
}}

The '''Asian small-clawed otter''' ('''''Aonyx cinereus'''''), also known as the '''oriental small-clawed otter''' and the '''small-clawed otter''', is an [[otter]] species native to [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. It has short [[claws]] that do not extend beyond the pads of its webbed digits. With a total body length of {{cvt|28.6|to|37.6|in|order=flip}}, and a maximum weight of {{cvt|3.5|kg}}, it is the smallest otter species.

The Asian small-clawed otter lives in riverine habitats, [[freshwater]] wetlands and [[mangrove]] [[swamp]]s. It feeds on [[mollusc]]s, [[crab]]s and other small [[aquatic animal]]s. It lives in pairs, but was also observed in family groups with up to 12 individuals.

It is listed as [[vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] on the [[IUCN Red List]], and is threatened by [[habitat loss]], [[pollution]], and in some areas also by [[hunting]].

== Taxonomy ==
''Lutra cinerea'' was the [[scientific name]] proposed by [[Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger]] in 1815 for an otter collected in [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Illiger |first1=C. |year=1815 |title=Überblick der Säugethiere nach ihrer Verteilung über die Welttheile |journal=Abhandlungen der Königlichen Preußischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin |volume=1804−1811 |pages=39−159 |url=http://bibliothek.bbaw.de/bbaw/bibliothek-digital/digitalequellen/schriften/anzeige/index_html?band=07-abh/18041811&seite:int=196 |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404162507/http://bibliothek.bbaw.de/bbaw/bibliothek-digital/digitalequellen/schriften/anzeige/index_html?band=07-abh%2F18041811&seite%3Aint=196}}</ref> In the 19th and 20th centuries, several [[zoological specimen]]s were described:
*''Lutra concolor'' proposed by [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque]] in 1832 was a uniform coloured otter from [[Assam]]. Rafinesque also proposed ''Amblonyx'' as name for a subgenus for otters with short, obtuse claws.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rafinesque |first1=C. S. |year=1832 |title=Atlantic journal, and friend of knowledge in eight numbers : containing about 160 original articles and tracts on natural and historical sciences, the description of about 150 new plants, and 100 new animals or fossils ; many vocabularies of languages, historical and geological facts |location=Philadelphia |page=62 |chapter=Description of a New Otter, ''Lutra concolor'', from Assam in India |isbn=9780665414664 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/cihm_41466/page/n68}}</ref>
*''Lutra leptonyx'' proposed by [[Thomas Horsfield]] in 1824 were two adult small-clawed otters collected in [[Java]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Horsfield |first1=T. |year=1824 |title=Zoological researches in Java, and the neighbouring islands |location=London |publisher=Kingsbury, Parbury & Allen |pages=185–191 |chapter=''Lutra leptonyx'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/Zoologicalresea00Hors/page/n183}}</ref> It was subordinated to the genus ''[[Aonyx]]'' by [[John Edward Gray]] in 1843.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gray |first1=J. E. |year=1843 |title=List of the specimens of Mammalia in the collection of the British Museum |page=71 |chapter=The Wargul. ''Aonyx leptonyx'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/listofspecimenso00brit_0/page/201}}</ref>
*''Amblonyx cinerea nirnai'' proposed by [[Reginald Innes Pocock]] in 1940 was a dark brown small-clawed otter from [[Virajpet]] in South India.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pocock |first1=R. I. |year=1940 |title=Notes on Some British Indian Otters, with Description of two new Subspecies |journal=The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |volume=41 |issue=3–4 |pages=514–517 |url=https://archive.org/details/journalofbomb41341940bomb/page/514}}</ref>

=== Phylogeny ===
Results of a mitochondrial [[cytochrome B]] analysis published in 1998 indicated that it should be subordinated to the genus ''Aonyx''.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Koepfli, K.-P. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Wayne, R. K. |year=1998 |title=Phylogenetic relationships of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome B sequences |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=246 |issue=4 |pages=401–416 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00172.x |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231880788}}</ref> Results of a molecular study published in 2008 showed that the Asian small-clawed otter is a [[sister taxon]] of ''[[Lutrogale]]'', lending support to retaining the genus ''Amblonyx'' or expanding ''Aonyx'' to make it [[monophyletic]]. They [[Genetic divergence|genetically diverged]] about {{mya|1.5}}.<ref name=Koepfli_al2008>{{cite journal |author1=Koepfli, K.P. |author2=Kanchanasaka, B. |author3=Sasaki, H. |author4=Jacques, H. |author5=Louie, K.D.Y. |author6=Hoai, T. |author7=Dang, N.X.  |author8=Geffen, E. |author9=Gutleb, A. |author10=Han, S. |author11=Heggberget, T. M. |author12=LaFontaine, L. |author13=Lee, H. |author14=Melisch, R. |author15=Ruiz-Olmo, J. |author16=Santos-Reis, M. |author17=Sidorovich, V.E. |author18=Stubbe, M. |author19=Wayne, R.K. |name-list-style=amp |year=2008 |title=Establishing the foundation for an applied molecular taxonomy of otters in Southeast Asia |journal=Conservation Genetics |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=1589–1604 |doi=10.1007/s10592-007-9498-5 |bibcode=2008ConG....9.1589K |s2cid=24619297 |url=http://www.tau.ac.il/~geffene/PDFs/64-Conserv_Genet_2008.pdf}}</ref>

The Asian small-clawed otter groups with the [[African clawless otter]] (''Aonyx capensis'') and the [[smooth-coated otter]] (''Lutrogale perspicillata'') into a [[sister clade]] with the genus ''[[Lutra]]''. [[Hybridisation (biology)|Hybridisation]] of Asian small-clawed otter females with smooth-coated otter males occurred in [[Singapore]]. The resulting offspring and their descendants bred back into the smooth-coated otter population, but maintained the genes of their small-clawed otter ancestors; a population of at least 60 hybrid otters are present in Singapore as of 2016.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Moretti, B. |author2=Al-Sheikhly, O. F. |author3=Guerrini, M. |author4=Theng, M. |author5=Gupta, B. K. |author6=Haba, M. K. |author7=Khan, W. A. |author8=Khan, A. A.  |name-list-style=amp |author9=Barbanera, F. |title=Phylogeography of the smooth-coated otter (''Lutrogale perspicillata''): distinct evolutionary lineages and hybridization with the Asian small-clawed otter (''Aonyx cinereus'') |journal=Scientific Reports |volume=7 |page=41611 |year=2017 |doi=10.1038/srep41611 |pmid=28128366 |pmc=5269716 |bibcode=2017NatSR...741611M}}</ref>

== Characteristics==
[[File:Oriental small-clawed otter teeth.jpg|thumb|Closeup of a small-clawed otter's mouth]]
The Asian small-clawed otter has deep brown [[fur]] with some rufous tinge on the back, but paler below. Its underfur is lighter near the base. The sides of the neck and head are brown, but its cheeks, upperlip, chin, throat and sides of the neck are whitish.<ref name=Blanford>{{cite book |last1=Blanford |first1=W. T. |year=1888 |title=The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma |location=London |publisher=Taylor and Francis |volume=Mammalia |pages=187–188 |chapter=''Lutra leptonyx''. The clawless Otter |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/mammalia00blaniala/page/186}}</ref>
Its skull is short, and the naked [[rhinarium]] rounded above. The muzzle has long coarse [[vibrissae]] on either side. Its eyes are located toward the front of the head. The small ears are oval-shaped with an inconspicuous [[Tragus (ear)|tragus]] and [[antitragus]]. Its [[paw]]s are narrow with short digits that are webbed to the last joint. There are short hairs on the lower sides of the interdigital webs. The four-lobed plantar pads are longer than wide. The [[claw]]s are short, almost erect, and in some individuals even absent.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Pocock, R. I. |year=1921 |title=On the External Characters of some Species of Lutrinae (Otters) |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=535–545 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.1921.tb03279.x |url=https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofzoo1921447887zool/page/534/mode/2up}}</ref>
Females have four [[mammary glands]].<ref name=Timmins1971>{{cite journal |author=Timmins, W. H. |year=1971 |title=Observations on breeding the oriental short clawed otter ''Amblonyx cinerea'' at Chester Zoo |journal=International Zoo Yearbook |volume=11 |pages=109–111 |doi=10.1111/j.1748-1090.1971.tb01868.x}}</ref>

The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in Asia. In head-to-body length, it ranges from {{cvt|18.4|to|24|in|order=flip}} with a {{cvt|10.2|to|13.6|in|order=flip}} long [[tail]]. The tapering tail is thick and muscular, especially at the base, and more than half the length of the body. Hind feet are {{cvt|3.8|to|4|in|order=flip}} long. Length of skull ranges from {{cvt|84|to|94|mm|order=flip}}. It does not have upper premolars and only four [[cheek teeth]] above.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pocock |first=R. I. |year=1941 |title=The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma |volume=Mammalia II |publisher=Taylor and Francis |location=London |chapter=Genus ''Amblonyx'', Rafinesque |pages=303–317 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.19258/page/n329}}</ref>
Adult captive otters range in weight from {{cvt|2.7|to|3.5|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Borgwardt1999>{{cite journal |author1=Borgwardt, N. |author2=Culik, B. M. |name-list-style=amp |year=1999 |title=Asian small-clawed otters (''Amblonyx cinerea''): resting and swimming metabolic rates |journal=Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology |volume=169 |issue=2 |pages=100–106 |doi=10.1007/s003600050199|pmid=10227184 |s2cid=22682528}}</ref>

== Distribution and habitat==
The Asian small-clawed otter's native range comprises parts of India to Southeast Asia including the islands of [[Sumatra]], Java, [[Borneo]] and [[Palawan (island)|Palawan]]. It lives in freshwater [[wetland]]s such as [[swamp]]s, meandering rivers, irrigated rice fields as well as [[estuary|estuaries]], coastal [[lagoon]]s and [[tide|tidal]] pools. It occurs in West Bengal, Assam and [[Arunachal Pradesh]], and in coastal regions of [[Odisha]]. In [[Karnataka]], [[Nilgiri hills|Nilgiri]] and [[Palni hills]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], it lives in shallow mountain creeks up to an elevation of {{cvt|2000|m}}.<ref name=iucn />
In [[West Java]], it inhabits areas along slow-flowing irrigation channels, pond areas and rice fields surrounded by vegetation that offers shelter. It also occurs in [[mangrove forest]]s.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Melisch, R. |author2=Kusumawardhani, L. |author3=Asmoro, P. B. |author4=Lubis, I. R. |name-list-style=amp |year=1996 |title=The otters of west Java – a survey of their distribution and habitat use and a strategy towards a species conservation programme |location=Bogor, Indonesia |publisher=Wetlands International – Indonesia Programme}}</ref>
In February 2025, the Asian small-clawed otter was photographed in [[Dadeldhura District]] in far-western [[Nepal]].<ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Shrestha, M.B. |author2=Shrestha, G. |author3=Dangaura, H.L. |author4=Chaudhary, R. |author5=Shrestha, P.M. |name-list-style=amp |author6=Dewan, K. |author7=Sada, R. |author8=Savage, M.  |author9=Zuofu Xiang |year=2025 |title=Confirmation of the presence of Asian Small-clawed Otter ''Aonyx cinereus'' in Nepal after 185 years |journal=IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=3–8 |url=https://www.iucnosgbull.org/Volume42/Shrestha_et_al_2025.html}}</ref>

In the 1980s, a few Asian small-clawed otters escaped from captivity in [[England]] and established a population in the wild.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Jefferies, D. J. |year=1989 |title=The Asian short-clawed otter ''Amblonyx cinerea'' (Illiger) living wild in Britain |journal=Otters (Earsham) |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=21–25}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Jefferies, D. J. |year=1991 |title=Another record of an Asian short-clawed otter living free in Oxford with notes on its implications |journal=Journal of the Otter Trust |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=9–12}}</ref> It was likely driven out by the recovery of the native [[Eurasian otter]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parrott, D. |author2=Roy, S. |author3=Fletcher, M. |year=2008 |title=The status of scarce non-native birds and mammals in England |url=https://www.nonnativespecies.org/assets/Document-repository/Scarce_non-natives_final_report_v3.pdf |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref>

== 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/>

== Threats ==
The Asian small-clawed otter is threatened by [[poaching]] for its fur, loss and [[habitat destruction|destruction of habitats]] such as hill streams, peat swamp forests and mangroves for aquaculture projects. Threats in India include deforestation, conversion of natural habitat for tea and coffee plantations, overfishing of rivers and water pollution through [[pesticide]]s.<ref name=iucn />

It is the most sought after otter species for the illegal [[pet trade]] in Asia. At least 711 Asian small-clawed otters were offered for sale through online websites by 280 traders in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam between 2016 and 2017.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Gomez, L. |author2=Bouhuys, J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2018 |title=Illegal Otter Trade in Southeast Asia |location=Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia |publisher=Traffic Southeast Asia Regional Office |url=https://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/otter_report_060618_1.pdf}}</ref>
Between December 2015 and October 2018, 49 Asian small-clawed otters were confiscated from wildlife traffickers in Thailand, Vietnam and [[Japan]]; 35 of them were bound for sale in Japan.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Gomez, L. |author2=Shepherd, C. R. |name-list-style=amp |title=Stronger International Regulations and Increased Enforcement Effort is needed to end the Illegal Trade in Otters in Asia |year=2019 |journal=IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=71–76 |url=https://www.iucnosgbull.org/Volume36/Gomez_Shepherd_2019.pdf}}</ref>

== Conservation ==
[[File:Zoo Basel otter with rhino.JPG|thumb|Asian small-clawed otter swimming with Indian rhinoceros at Zoo Basel]]
The Asian small-clawed otter was listed on [[CITES Appendix II]] and is protected in almost all range countries prohibiting its killing.<ref name=iucn /> Since August 2019, it is included in [[CITES Appendix I]], thus strengthening its protection in regards to international trade.<ref>{{cite news |author=DTE Staff |date=2019 |title=CITES CoP 2019: Otters given highest protection from trade |work=DownToEarth |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/cites-cop-2019-otters-given-highest-protection-from-trade-66360}}</ref>

=== In captivity ===
The [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] established a [[Species Survival Plan]] for the Asian small-clawed otter in 1983 to encourage research on captive breeding.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Foster-Turley|first=P. |author2=Engfar, S. |name-list-style=amp |title=The Species Survival Plan for the Asian small-clawed otter ''Aonyx cinerea'' |journal=International Zoo Yearbook |year=1988 |volume=27 |pages=79–84 |doi=10.1111/j.1748-1090.1988.tb03199.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Foster-Turley, P. |year=1986 |title=A progress report on the species survival plan for Asian small-clawed otters in United States zoos |journal=Otter Specialist Group Bulletin |volume=1 |pages=19–21}}</ref>

In Europe, [[Zoo Basel]] keeps Asian small-clawed otters together with [[Indian rhinoceros]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zoo-Nachwuchs sorgt für Trubel |work=Zoo Basel |url=http://zoobasel.ch/de/aktuell/detail.php?NEWSID=534&apm=1_4&nof |year=2012 |language=de}}</ref> In Tallinn Zoo, Asian small-clawed otters share an enclosure with a binturong.<ref>{{cite web |year=2023 |title=Unexpected neighbors. How Asian small-clawed otters and a binturong live together |work=Tallinn Zoo |url=https://tallinnzoo.ee/en/unexpected-neighbors-how-asian-small-clawed-otters-and-a-binturong-will-coexist/}}</ref>

Asian small-clawed otters with [[osteoporosis]] display resorption of hyperactive bone and cartilage by [[osteoclast]]s in many bone sites, which causes pockmarks on all the bones.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kim|first1=I.-S. |last2=Sim|first2=J.-H. |last3=Cho |first3=J.-W. |last4=Kim |first4=B. |last5=Lee |first5=Y. |last6=Ahn|first6=D. |date=2020 |title=Osteoporosis in an Asian small-clawed otter (''Aonyx cinereus'' Illiger, 1815) |journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science |volume=82 |issue=3 |pages=376–378 |doi=10.1292/jvms.19-0546 |pmc=7118488 |pmid=32009030}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikispecies|Aonyx cinerea}}
{{Commons}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Library/QandA/QA_20090319.html |website=IUCN Otter Specialist Group |title=Asian Small-clawed Otter}}
*{{cite web |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Aonyx_cinerea.html |website=Animal Diversity Web |title=''Aonyx cinerea'', Oriental small-clawed otter}}
*{{cite web |url=https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/asian-small-clawed-otter |website=Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute |title=Asian small-clawed otter|date=25 April 2016}}
*{{cite news |title=Ban on endangered otter trade to take effect amid pet boom in Japan |newspaper= Kyodo News |year=2019 |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/11/4c21cc540eda-ban-on-endangered-otter-trade-to-take-effect-amid-pet-boom-in-japan.html}}

{{Carnivora|M.}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q244277}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Otters|Asian small-clawed otter]]
[[Category:Mammals of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Mammals of China]]
[[Category:Mammals of India]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Nepal]]
[[Category:Mammals of Singapore]]
[[Category:Mammals of Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Fauna of South China]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1815|Asian small-clawed otter]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of Borneo]]