Observations on the breeding habits of the Indian smooth otter: Lutrogale perspicillata: in captivity

Group size, group structure and breeding in smooth-coated otter Lutra perspicillata Geoffroy (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in National Chambal Sanctuary, India

“…The mean litter size of three as observed in this study was higher than reported for other species, 2.4 for American river otter (Melquist and Hornocker 1983) and 1.8 for European otter (Kruuk et al 1987). Desai (1974) reported that litter size in captivity was Brought to you by | University of Queensland -UQ Library Authenticated Download Date | 6/18/15 8:48 AM two to five (X = 3.25, N = 4 litters). Thus the mean value obtained from this study is in general agreement with that from captivity.…”

“…The group associations in smoothcoated otters in the study area exibits all such characters typical to a social carnivore. Desai (1974) reported that in captive smooth-coated otter mating occurs in August, birth in October, and weaning 130 days after birth. In the study area, pups were seen with mothers from February to August-September.…”

“…Brought to you by | University of Queensland -UQ Library Authenticated Download Date | 6/18/15 8:48 AM Desai (1974) reported that captive male smooth-coated otter joined the family group after weaning and assisted in feeding. If this also happens in wild, then the male smooth-coated otter is more social than European otter, Lutra lutra, and American river otter Lutra canadensis, those being more solitary (Green et al 1984 ;Melquist and Hornocker 1983).…”

“…From these observations it appears that birth might have occurred during late October or early November. If the mean gestation period is of 62 days as reported by Desai (1974), mating in the study area must have also occurred during late August or early September. The timing of reproduction in smooth-coated otter may be geared to feeding conditions as is the case in Lutra lutra (Kruuk et al 1987, Kruuk 1995.…”

“…During the present study parent-offspring group association was found to be most common in the study area. Pups were born in November and if they weaned after 130 days (Desai 1974), they were expected to be seen with mothers in February-March. Thus during summer it was expected that the group size should increase, but this did not happen.…”