My first encounter with the otter was when I was working in a crocodile conservation facility in Palawan at Irawan. Somebody from south Palawan brought an otter about two feet in length and placed it on a tub for us to see. I did not know that the otter is, in fact, difficult to encounter in the field because of its nocturnal habit. It was my first year in the facility and I did not realize that that encounter was the first and last. I have never seen the otter again after more than 20 years in Palawan. That was a rare find.

The otter was once featured in a television show. It was one of the attractions in a Subic Bay Zoo in Zambales. The report noted that the animal can easily be trained. GMA News traced the place of its origin and found out it was in the municipality of Narra in southern Palawan.

Morphological Characteristics

The Palawan small-clawed otter can reach a length of two and a half feet, its tail about a foot long. A striking characteristic is an elongated body that bobs up and down in the water. Its ears are short and rounded, the fet and legs are short reminding me of a stout snake. The characteristic feature is the small claws. Its hair, as the otters are known, is dense. Otters are known to have 150,000 hairs in just one centimeter. General body coloration is chocolate brown with the ventral portion lighter in color.

Biology and Habitat

Because of its semi-aquatic nature, the otter lives near rivers or streams amongst vegetation. The water is the source of its food as well as it provides a refuge when disturbed. It is difficult to see the otter because it hides during the day and gets active at night. They are known to frequent nipa (Nypa fruticans) swamps and were trapped in those places. They are known to feed on fish and crabs.

Distribution

The otters are known to occur in the municipality of Narra in mainland Palawan.

Status

Otters were considered pests by farmers as they would frolic in farmlands and destroy their crops. They are hunted for meat and the fur is good material for manufacturing caps and hats. Thus, the population of these animals may be reduced or threatened.

Reference

Rabor, D. S, 1986. Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna: Birds and Mammals. Natural Resource Management Center, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines.