Asian Small-clawed Otter

The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in the world, native to wetlands, rice paddies, and mangroves across South and Southeast Asia. Its claws are reduced to small blunt nubs that do not extend past its sensitive, dexterous fingertips, which it uses to feel for and crack open crabs, mollusks, and other small prey rather than relying on sight underwater. It lives in tight family groups and is considered Vulnerable, threatened by wetland conversion and by demand for the exotic pet trade.