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Oriental small clawed otter


Oriental small clawed otter
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Turvey (liquidsunshine) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1878 W: 112 N: 1560] (5437)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-09-18
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300 D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-09-18 10:24
Viewed: 4726
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This one is for my good friend Monika (Thistle).

Today I was promised Sunshine by the Met office, and as expected, it was a day of grey skies and light rain. This wasn't going to stop me making the short journey to Whipsnade Wild animal park.
This was one of the more obliging models today, the Oriental small clawed otter.

Also known as the Oriental Small Clawed Otter or the Malaysian Small Clawed Otter. The Asian Short Clawed Otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring a mere 65-90cm, and hardly ever reaching 5kg. Unlike the Eurasian Otter its front feet are only partially webbed, but it has short claws for digging in the mud and lifting rocks. If you ever get close to an Asian Short Clawed Otter take a look at its front feet closely: they are masters at using these front paws to catch prey, and are the only mammals other than the primates to use these with almost human dexterity. They are very group orientated, and as many as 15 can be seen together although it is more common to find groups of 4-8. Their birdlike squeaks help them to locate each other in the wild, but their social vocabulary goes much further than this and they have developed something like 12 or more different calls.

Research has shown that the groups are composed of a dominant pair together with offspring from successive litters and it is thought that the males and females pair for life. They have large litters of 4 or 5 cubs, and can produce 2 litters per year, with commonly both parents bringing up the young; however, unlike the Eurasian Otter they are not very good at rearing these young.

Asian Short Clawed Otters live in a variety of diverse habitats from mangrove swamps to small streams and marshy areas, searching for crabs and small fish. They are largely nocturnal, returning to the cover of the bankside vegetation during the day.

Troubles exist in Asia for these otters: they are killed for their pelts and for their organs which are believed to have medicinal value. Also there are threats due to pollution and habitat destruction. The activities of many western logging companies result in siltation of the waterways and damage to streams used by these otters.

THE FACTS
Conservation status: Insufficiently known. Much information is based on old records and new data is urgently needed.

Size: 65-90cm
Gestation: 9 weeks
litter size: 4-5 cubs
Weight: 2.7 to 5.4 kg
Diet: Crabs, Molluscs and other bottom living organisms.

Threats: there is still a demand for live specimens for pets and zoos; hunted for furs; habitat destruction is becoming an increasing problem.

Notes taken from www.otter.org

Thanks for looking, have a good week.
TAZ, lglandon, Luc, ellis49, wallhalla15, pat, annagrace, chiliu, thistle, ddg, coasties, scottevers7, Signal-Womb, Toni, dew77, wishnugaruda has marked this note useful
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To annagrace: Rainliquidsunshine 1 09-19 02:29
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-09-18 10:36]

What a nice and interesting Otter that you have well captured ! I think it is the 1st time I see an Otter (Loutre in french) on TN... Composition with water is pleasant ! Thanks for sharing Alan.

Hi Alan,
Very nice shot og this Otter.
It's the first time for me too I see an Otter on TN.
TFS.
Nico.

A very well composed picture Alan,
The contrast is very strong, and water reflect are great!
TFS, Laurent

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-09-18 11:37]

Good work, Alan. Great visual impact with the Otter looking at the camera. Excellent composition. Thank you.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2005-09-18 13:52]

Alan, this is a very nice photo. Be sure I did enjoy it.

His expression is funny and the image is really great. Besides, an unusual subject.

I had never seen one of them. Thanks for sharing.

Very good shot, Alan.
The contrast and colours are good.
Very good details and well composed.
You did a good job.

Alan, beautiful natural shot - very clear and colorful. Fantastic composition and great details. Superb colors. Well done & TFS!

A very good capture Alan! By the curved leave in the water next to him you can see that there is some action going on. The rather large patch of dark water is a bit distraction though in my opinion. Maybe a tighter crop can make this image even stronger.

Best regards,
Mike

Excellent work my friend, Thank you!

Great capture and an even better note. I'm glad you Brits will go out in the rain, I think I'd melt since I'm as sweet as sugar, LOL!

Your friend from the land of incessant hurricanes, not just some piddling rain,

Alli

Hi Alan,
Excellent capture!
Great details and colour.
TFS!

Hi Alan!
Thanks for the dedication my friend :) The photo was, no doubt, worth waiting ;)
It's a superb shot of lovely creature. POV is excellent and whole has perfect details and lighting.
I like it very much :)

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 867 W: 24 N: 1008] (5507)
  • [2005-09-19 4:20]

Bonjour Alan, superb capture, very good shot, congratulations Didier.

  • Great 
  • Libor Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 164 W: 1 N: 25] (1101)
  • [2005-09-19 6:11]

Hi Alan
Very nice shot.
Contrast and colors are good.
beautiful Thanks

Hello Alan

You have captured this cutie realy well. Nice to have it in the water. Looks like it is trying to hide from you. Nice eye contact. Nice work. Thanks. :-)

Hi Alan,
Excellent composition on this otter. A great job showing him in his natural environment. The color and detail look perfect to me. The pose is great. They are fun to watch. Excellent notes....Great work as always.
Scott

Very good capture Alan with nice details and good composition, well done. 7/10

  • Great 
  • PhilC Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 24 W: 25 N: 117] (551)
  • [2005-09-19 17:30]

Alan,

I'm most envious! I have frequently tried for similar shots of the otters and failed. I like you must be local to me as Whipsnade is also my local.

Lovely DOF, lighting and so on. Well captured.

Phil

  • Great 
  • Toni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
  • [2005-09-19 18:05]

Hi Alan
Lovely shot. Well composed. I like the movement of the water. Nice details of the fur.
Regards Toni

  • Great 
  • nofer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1190 W: 366 N: 811] (2307)
  • [2005-09-19 23:12]

Linda composição!
Animal muito simpático! Muito boa foto. Cores, composição e nitidez.
Excelente trabalho!
TFS
Reynaldo

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2005-09-20 3:03]

Hello Alan!
Very nice capture.Sharpness,POV,DOF,pose of otter,clear details,framing and composition are wonderful.Excellent work!TFS...:-)

Great capture Alan! Nice composition and good POV. Excellent details. Very well done. Thanks for sharing!
Helene

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2005-09-21 3:35]

Hi Alan. I don't know how I missed this one. It is so cute. An unusual animal. Thanks for the great note. You caught him in an adorable pose with great eye contact. Sharp details, excellent POV and composition. TFS. : )

Hi Alan,
a wonderful shot, the otter has such a lovely face. A very nice composition, also perfect sharpness, thanks, I like it
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hi Alan,
What a beautiful otter. Sharpness, contrast, good colours.
Great work
Guy

Lovely capture, Alan. I am just back from my vacation and have lots of photos to check out and edit. I will supply a proper critique later my friend.

Love the pose.

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