A Study on Distribution and Behaviour of Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) at Kota and Rawatbhata (Chittorgarh), Rajasthan, India

Harshit Sharma, Anshu Sharma, Surabhi Shrivastava

Abstract: Smooth-coated otter was once distributed in a vast portion of Rajasthan. This situation was reported up to 1965. After this period, it was hunted to get the valuable fur. This destructive practice was observed till the commencement of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. By this time this species became extinct from a major part of Rajasthan. At present, Smooth-coated Otter is mainly found in the flow area of Chambal River, south-eastern Rajasthan. But here too, due to increasing water pollution and plastic pollution, there is a threat to their existence. It is considered a vulnerable species in the list of IUCN (Saha and Mazumdar, 2008). Travelling, playing, drying and grooming are the most prevalent activities recorded. Present investigations describe the behavioural activities of Smooth-coated Otter in Chambal River. It was mainly observed fishing on Tilapia fish along with other species.

Keywords: Smooth-coated Otter, River Chambal, Behaviour