The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

DATA DEFICIENT
60) Aonyx cinerea (Illiger, 1815)
Common Names
Asian Small-clawed Otter (English); Sano Oat
(Nepali)
Synonyms
Amblonyx cinereus, Aonyx cinereus (Illiger, 1815)
Species Description
Smallest of the otters. Has webbed feet and short
spikey claws. Underside is light brown to yellow and
the sides of its lips, chin and throat are almost white.
Species Ecology
The Asian Small-clawed Otter occurs in freshwater
swamps, forested rivers, mangroves and tidal pools.
Sexual maturity is estimated to occur during the
first year and after a gestation of approximately 60
days, a litter of up to seven young is produced. Asian
Small-clawed Otters can have two litters per year.
Conservation Status
Global: Vulnerable A2 acd
National: Data Deficient
Rationale for assessment: There is insufficient
information available to make an accurate
assessment of the extinction risk of this species in
Nepal.
Legal Status
CITES Appendix II
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973).
National Distribution
This species is found in Makalu Barun National
Park and the districts of Kailali and Kapilbastu and
documented to be found up to an elevation of 1,300
m.
Distribution outside Nepal
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,
China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan Province of China,
Thailand, Viet Nam.
Main Threats
• Habitat loss and degradation (for example,
pollution of water courses).
• Reduction in prey base.
• Accidental mortality by getting entangled in
fishing nets and traps set for other species.
• Persecution.
• Poaching for fur.
References
Lancaster 1975, Foster-Turley 1990, Suwal and Verheugt 1995, Shrestha 1997, Lariviere 2003,
Hussain and de Silva 2008, Kafle 2009.
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