This Newborn Otter is Soooo Sleepy!

Asian small-clawed otters are known for being energetic and vocal animals. However, this post from babyanmlpics captures a peaceful moment between a newborn otter and its sleeping mother. For their first few weeks, baby otters primarily sleep, waking only to nurse 3-4 times per day. So, this little pup’s wiggling probably means it’s dinner time. Since otter pups are born with their eyes closed, the newborn searches for milk instinctively with its excellent sense of smell. It may be time to eat, but it looks like this exhausted mom and baby decided to finish their nap first.

All About Asian Small-Clawed Otters

The Asian small-clawed otter, Aonyx cinereus, is the smallest of the 13 otter species. They typically weigh up to ten pounds and only grow to around two feet in length. Their long, tapered tails account for around half of their body length. These otters can be found across southern India and southern China, as well as throughout Southeast Asia. They live in freshwater rivers, streams, marshes, estuaries, mangrove forests, rice paddies, and along sea coasts.

Asian small-clawed otters are adapted for aquatic habitats with two layers of dense, waterproof fur. However, unlike other otters, they spend more time on land than in the water. Their paws are only partially webbed, with short, blunt claws. Their opposable thumbs and partial webbing also allow for more manual dexterity than other otter species. Where other otters catch prey with their mouths, Asian small-clawed otters use their front paws for foraging and capturing prey. They live in family groups of up to 20 otters, with the whole family helping take care of the young.

The Birth and Care of Baby Otters

Asian small-clawed otters become sexually mature around 1.5 years old. Once they reach maturity, they can breed throughout the year. Otter couples generally mate for life. Gestation is relatively short at around 60-70 days. Breeding pairs can have two litters a year. Litters can range from one to six pups, although the average is two.

Otters are altricial, which means the pups are not fully developed at birth and require substantial parental care. Both parents are very attentive, with otter fathers taking an active part in pup-rearing. They not only help build the nest and carry pups, but they also bring food to the mother and the pups during nursing and weaning. Otters have high metabolisms, which require them to eat around 20% of their body weight each day. So the father’s role is crucial in maintaining the health of the nursing mother and their pups.

Otter Pup Development

Newborn otters weigh less than two ounces. The first video shows the grey-ish colored fur otters are born with. Their fur typically darkens in about 6-7 weeks, as shown in the second and third videos in the post. As previously noted, their eyes are closed at birth, but begin opening around 3-4 weeks of age. So, the pup in the post is between a few days to a few weeks old. Newborns cannot regulate their body temperatures, so they must remain near their parents for warmth until they are about a month old. Even half-asleep, the otter mom in the video above keeps her little one close so they don’t get cold.

Otter pups start teething at approximately three weeks old, with their canines coming in at around three months. Their nourishment comes only from their mother’s milk until they begin solid foods at about 6-7 weeks. The mother will begin weaning between 2.5-4 months. The otters will begin to move independently once they reach around a month old. Surprisingly, they do not know how to swim at birth. Experts explain they typically take an interest in water around 4-8 weeks old. Otter pups will not leave the nest until around 10 weeks. So, this little pup has a lot of growing to do before it will be ready to leave the safety of its mother’s arms.