A “vulnerable” mainly freshwater otter, although it will frequent coastal habitat but rarely swimming out far to sea. Found in Asia with a sleek dark to reddish-brown fur, but on close examination some parts can appear matted, rounded head, diamond-shaped nose pad, long flat tail. They are extremely social animal, lives and hunts in group of up to tens, with young pubs tagging along, joining and learning about cooperative hunting for fish, its favourite prey. It communicates with scents, and hence it scent marking behaviour of rolling on riverbanks and coastal sandbanks, and its bonding and also it communication piercing calls which is fairly distinctive. However, its scat or droppings should be avoided and would be very unpleasant if you were to step on them.

In West Malaysia, can be found all over the country including high lands where there are wetlands, including man made dams and reservoirs. It is fairly unmistakable and definitive if found in their or close to their wetlands habitat. However there is possible confusion or misidentification with another two species of otters found in West Malaysia.

In Seberang Perai it is fairly common all over, and each stretch of rives or coastal mudflats will have a local raft or romp.