About Smooth-Coated Otter:
- It is a species of otter, the only extant representative of the genus Lutrogale.
- Scientific Name: Lutrogale perspicillata
- Distribution:
- They are found throughout much of southern Asia, from India eastward.
- There is also an isolated population found in the marshes of Iraq.
- Habitat:
- They are mostly found in lowlands, coastal mangrove forests, peat swamp forests, freshwater wetlands, large forested rivers, lakes, and rice paddies.
- Some build permanent burrows near water with an underwater entrance and a tunnel that leads to a chamber above the high-water line.
- Although adapted for water, smooth-coated otters are equally comfortable on land and can travel long distances overland in search of suitable habitat.
- Features:
- They are the largest otter in Southeast Asia. They weigh 7-11 kg as adults and can be up to 1.3 m long.
- As its name indicates, the fur of this species is smoother and shorter than that of other otters.
- The fur is light to dark brown dorsally and light brown to almost Gray ventrally.
- They have short, tightly packed under fur and longer, water-repellent guard hairs.
- They are strong swimmers and hunt in groups. When fishing, they travel in a V-formation going upstream.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Key Facts about the Kawal Tiger Reserve:
- Location:
- It is located in the north-eastern part of Telangana, with the Godavari River on one side and the Maharashtra border on the other.
- It forms part of the Deccan peninsula-central highlands.
- Rivers: The reserve is the catchment for the rivers Godavari and Kadam, which flow towards the south of the sanctuary.
- Corridor: It has connectivity to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra in the North and to the Indravati Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh towards its north-eastern side.
- Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest.
- Habitat: It has diverse habitats, comprising dense forests, grasslands, open areas, rivers, streams, and water bodies.
- Flora:
- Teak is found extensively, along with Bamboo.
- As many as 673 plant species have been recorded, and the important ones are Anogeissus latifolia, Mitragyna parviflora, Terminalia crenulata, etc.
- Fauna:
- It has a faunal diversity which is typical of the Deccan Plateau.
- The major wild animals include: nilgai, chousingha, chinkara, black buck, sambar, spotted deer, wild dog, wolf, jackal, fox, tiger, leopard, and the jungle cat.
