Otter Encounter

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is home to a family of Asian small-clawed otters.

This species of otters is the smallest of all 13 otter species and is native to Asia. Visitors can go behind the scenes for an exclusive tour of the otters’ home in the Underwater Zoo and can interact with these cute and charismatic animals. There is also a special educational presentation on otters.

The Asian small-clawed Otter, a highly threatened species, is the smallest breed of Otter in the world, weighing less than 5 kilograms. Carnivorous in nature, they live in streams, rivers, marshes, and rice patties and feed on crustaceans, snails, fish, and insects. Otters have a huge appetite and can eat up to 20% of their body weight daily. They are intelligent animals and great at using tools such as pick up rocks and using it to break open shellfish.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo has established an active otter breeding program to ensure its commitment to their survival, working at the same time closely with conservationists, local community, wildlife organizations, and government entities to drive the protection of Otters.