Distribution
The Smooth-coated Otter is distributed throughout southern Asia from Indonesia, through southeast Asia, and westwards through southern China, India and Pakistan, with an isolated population in Iraq. It is gregarious often found in large groups of 4-16 otters. In the wild, the basic family group consists of adult female and her offspring, father and older siblings often join the group, however occasionally two to three family groups join together for hunting.
Habitat
The Smooth-coated Otter essentially is a lowland species. Generally, they use large rivers and lakes, peat swamp forests, mangrove forests along the coast and estuaries, and in southeast Asia they even use rice fields for foraging. Rice fields appear to be one of the most suitable habitats, supporting viable populations of the Smooth-coated Otters. Along the rivers, they prefer rocky stretches since these stretches provide sites for den and resting. They extensively use river banks and shorelines with vegetation for movement and resting. In the Terai areas of the upper Gangetic plains Smooth-coated Otters use the seasonally flooded swamps during monsoon and in early winter.
