Breeding Activities of Lutra perspicillata in Bangladesh

A study was conducted on breeding activities of smooth coated otter (Lutra perspicillata) in Bangladesh between July 2004 and August 2006. In the present study all adult otters in captivity potentially breed throughout the year. They are aseasonal breeder in captivity. Mating was exclusively restricted to the water, where the male heldsthe female and embraced her back with his forelegs and rubbed and sniffed at her body. Mating frequency was recorded 3 to 6 times a day at its peak, but once or twice otherwise. The gestation period was found to range from 61 to 78 days. The cubs remained webbed with mucus during delivery and newborns were blind with whitish body covered by sparse short fur. Litter size varied from 2 to 5 cubs. It has been found that the weight of the newborns decreased after birth until the second week and then increased gradually. Cubs opened the eyes in 4 to 5 weeks and started to take solid food at 7 to 8 weeks. The average weight of the infants at birth was 195 g. The average length of the first day infants were measured as 24.4 cm. Breeding success was recorded as 100% in case of litter of size of 3 or smaller while less than 80% in case of litter of size of 4 or bigger.