Asian short-clawed otters are the smallest otter species and are therefore also known as dwarf otters?
They are fingered otters, as their front paws resemble a human hand due to their short claws and reduced webbed feet.
The individual fingers are so flexible that dwarf otters can handle their front paws very skilfully and also pick up their food with their paws.
Dwarf otters are perfectly adapted to their habitat. Under water, their ear and nose openings close. Their whiskers are used for orientation in murky water. Their dense fur (approx. 50,000 hairs per square centimetre) prevents water from reaching their skin. They can even move quickly and skilfully on land.
