Species of Otters

Otter classification is not straightforward. There have been various schemes used through the years, but the one I am going to use has the otters grouped according to the latest DNA research by Koepfli & Wayne (1998). This did not cover four otter species so I have added them where seemed probable (marked with *)

Lutra-Type Otters

• Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis
• Congo Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis *
• Asian Small-Clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus
• Smooth-Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata
• Sea Otter Enhydra lutris
• Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra
• Spotted-Necked Otter Lutra maculicollis
• Hairy-Nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana *

Lontra-type Otters

• North American River Otter Lontra canadensis
• Marine Otter or Sea Cat Lontra felina
• Neotropical Otter Lontra longicaudis
• Southern River Otter Lontra provocax *

The Giant Otter

• South American Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis