Hunting and Feeding in the Hairy-Nosed Otter

The information below comes from Wright et al (2008)

Prey

This otter mainly eats fish where available, preferring slow moving, meaty fish such as three-spot gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) and walking catfish (Clarius macrocephalus), both of which are commercially farmed, and various species of snakeheads (Channa). When fish are less common, such as in the dry season, they will also take scaley, less meaty fish such as common climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) and snakeskin gourami (Trichogastor pectoralis). In many locations, they also take various watersnakes, especially in heavily fished areas where fish are scarce and snakes plentiful such as Tonle Sap in Cambodia.

Hunting Schedule

The evidence so far suggests that the otters are active in the early morning, and again in late afternoon, though in areas with more human activity, the afternoon session may take place in late evening or in the early hours of the morning.

Hunting Methods

These animals mainly hunt in the flooded forests in their habitats, but also use canals, pools and fish farms. They have learnt to raid fish traps and fish farms so skilfully that they often go undetected by the fishermen but have been caught on camera. They are considered to be particularly fast-swimming otters, trapping fish in the roots of the submerged trees.

Hairy-Nosed Otter