Otters are playful creatives by nature, a trait which is evident in their fun-loving antics and also in the various nouns used for them. The young of an otter is called a puppy, and collectively, a group of otters is known as a romp. We have been fortunate enough to observe the family of otters at Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, and having seen them at play, we can definitely agree that the otter puppies romp as enthusiastically as their canine counterparts.

SBWR’s first encounter with the resident Smooth Otters was more than ten years ago, when we saw a single otter at low tide in 1997. The following year, a pair of otters was seen swimming and catching fish at the Sungei Buloh Besar. It was since then that the family of otters increased, numbering seven otters at the last sighting in July 2009. The Sungei Buloh Besar is perhaps their favourite hunting ground when the tides are coming in, most likely due to the increase of fish swimming in at these times. The otters usually swim in a pack of four to seven while chasing after fish.

On one of our sightings, at the freshwater pond of SBWR, we were entertained by the antics of part of the otter family. There were two adult otters with two puppies: the puppies were attempting to chase and catch fish, but were completely unsuccessful. The adults, meanwhile, were nabbing a steady stream of fish in the shallow waters, which they left on the grass bund for the puppies to help themselves.

Eventually, the puppies grew tired of the chase, and came up to the bund to eat the fish left by the adults. The adults continued catching and feeding on fish themselves. We could have continued watching them indefinitely, had the adult otters not sensed our presence. They gave out a call, and all four otters moved off into the undergrowth. The family of otters appears to have moved in permanently to SBWR, judging from the fact that they have been eating, breeding, playing, and marking territory there. If you should be fortunate enough to spot them frolicking, do tread lightly and speak softly so as not to scare them. The less aware they are of your presence, the more opportunities you will have to observe them at play!

By Ramakrishnan K and Mendis Tan

This otter, being playful by nature, cheekily peeps out of the greenery to check out his immediate surroundings

While pausing cautiously to assess the presence of humans observing them, these otters unwittingly pose for a family portrait.