The tail tapers to a point, typical of freshwater otters. The well-webbed feet are of moderate size, with strong claws. The coarse pelage looks rough; it has a dense underfur and a set of long guard hairs (up to 20 mm long). Marine otters are dark brown above, a lighter fawn colour below. The muzzle, throat, and lips are not spotted, as in some other otter species. The nose pad is black, and variations in its structure may be useful in indicating stocks of marine otters (nose pad variations are used to distinguish different species within the otter subfamily).
齒式
I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 3-4/3, M1/2.
容易混淆為：
This is the only truly marine otter along the west and southwest coasts of South America, although there are southern river otters (Lutra provocax) along some parts of the coast and marine otters enter rivers. The river otters can be distinguished by their larger size, darker colour, finer fur, and peaked nose pads.
個體大小
Marine otters attain total lengths (including the tail) of slightly over 1m, and weights up to 4.5 kg.
地理分布
These coastal otters are found on exposed rocky shores from the southern tip of Chile to southern Peru. They have been extirpated from Argentina.
生物學及行為
Very little is known of the biology of the marine otter. They are found mostly singly or in pairs, but groups of 3 or more are sometimes seen. The reproductive season in not well-known, but much of the breeding may occur in December and January. The usual litter of 2 pups is born after a gestation period of 60 to 70 days. Marine otters feed on crabs, shrimps, mollusks, and fish. They sometimes enter rivers to feed on freshwater prawns.
利用價值
This species has been hunted in Chile for fur and because of perceived competition with shellfish fisheries. Although legally protected, there is still some poaching.
IUCN等級
Vulnerable.
異名
Lutra felina (Molina, 1782)
俗名
Humboldtotter [荷蘭語] Loutre de mer [法語] Marine otter [英語] Nutria de mar [西班牙語]
FAO物種代碼
MUST Lutra 1 [FAO Species code] OTM [FAO Species code]
地理分布
These coastal otters are found on exposed rocky shores from the southern tip of Chile to southern Peru. They have been extirpated from Argentina.
生物學及行為
Very little is known of the biology of the marine otter. They are found mostly singly or in pairs, but groups of 3 or more are sometimes seen. The reproductive season in not well-known, but much of the breeding may occur in December and January. The usual litter of 2 pups is born after a gestation period of 60 to 70 days. Marine otters feed on crabs, shrimps, mollusks, and fish. They sometimes enter rivers to feed on freshwater prawns.
利用價值
This species has been hunted in Chile for fur and because of perceived competition with shellfish fisheries. Although legally protected, there is still some poaching.
IUCN等級
Vulnerable.
異名
Lutra felina (Molina, 1782)
俗名
Humboldtotter [荷蘭語] Loutre de mer [法語] Marine otter [英語] Nutria de mar [西班牙語]
FAO物種代碼
MUST Lutra 1 [FAO Species code] OTM [FAO Species code]
