Smooth Otters (Lutra/Lutrogale perspicillata) are the largest otters in Southeast Asia. They are named for their shorter, smoother coats which appears velvety and shining. Like other otters, they have shorter tightly packed underfur and longer guard hairs which are water repellant.

Unlike seals, which are insulated by a thick layer of fat, otters are very lean and it is their fur that keeps them warm, and provides a streamlined surface. Smooth Otters are distinguished from other otters by their rounder heads with prominent naked noses, and more flattened tails.
Smooth Otters like to eat fish but they eat whatever is plentiful and easy to catch. Prey include crustacea, frogs, water rats, turtles and even large birds. They may hunt as a family group, using teamwork to catch their prey. A group usually have a feeding territory of 7-12 sq. km and they hunt both during the day and at night.