Habitat Use and food habits of Otters in
Corbett Tiger Reserve
- Asghar Nawab, Senior Research Fellow

Smooth Coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata) is an endangered species and habitat deterioration has been the prominent threat to their populations in most countries. We studied and quantified the habitat characteristics and food habits of this otter species in and around Corbett Tiger Reserve during summers (March – June) of 2001 and 2002. Riverbanks were searched for otter presence, and wherever located, habitat and disturbance variables were quantified within 100 m × 15 m belt. Similar plots were laid systematically at 500 m intervals along the entire riverbanks and also at 50m away from the location plots to quantify habitat availability in the study area. Scat samples were collected from various sites and examined for diet composition. Trapping of fish was carried out in different sites using cast nets to estimate prey availability. The otters showed relative preference to the three major perennial water bodies namely River Ramganga, River Mandal and River Palain. Specifically, the areas supporting otters had relatively more vegetation cover, higher tree density, availability of grooming sites and dens and low disturbance. Among the seven food categories identified, fish was the most frequently occurred food item and also formed bulk of the otter diet.

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