Otters of the World

Otters are found on every continent except Oceania and Antarctica. They live in rivers, lakes, estuaries and the sea.

Check out the World of Otters map for photos, videos, maps and lots more information on all 13 species.

Here is an introduction:

Eurasian otter

This is Ottiga, a young cub which was cared for at the IOSF otter sanctuary on the Isle of Skye.

Smooth-coated otter

This is a photo of Chitra from Bangladesh. Look at their big feet!

Photo by Dr Feeroz.

Asian short-clawed otter

In this picture you can see two cubs are searching for crabs underwaterin the Philippines.

Photo by Diana Limjoco, who is caring for them.

Congo Clawless otter

Here Mazu is eating snails - look at how she uses her clawless "fingers" to get the snails out of the shells.

Photo by Glen and Rita Chapman, who reared Mazu from a cub until she went back to the wild.

Spotted-necked otter

You can see how these otters got their name - look at the spots on the neck.

Photo by Jan Reed Smith

Hairy-nosed otter

This is Dara, a hairy nosed otter, which was cared for at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, Cambodia.

Photo by Conservation International

North American river otter

Although they are called river otters, they can also live on the coast and hunt in the sea. J.Scott Shannon, who took these photos, has been watching them in the sea for many years in California.

African-clawless otter

African clawless otters also use their "fingers" to hold their food.

This photo of a cub was taken by Nicci Wright.

Sea otter

Sea otters are famous for using their tummy as a table and cracking open shells for food. They also carry their cubs here too. Usually sea otters have one cub, so this mother with her twins is very rare!

Photo by Michael 'Mike' Baird bairdphotos.com