{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "otter",
  "name": "Otter",
  "scientificName": "Lutrinae",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "Otters are semi-aquatic carnivorous mammals in the weasel family, found in rivers, lakes, and coasts across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. There are 13 species, from the small river otters to the sea otter, all with dense waterproof fur, webbed feet, and streamlined bodies built for swimming. They feed mainly on fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic prey, and are known for their playful behavior and use of tools. Most otters live around 10 to 15 years in the wild.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Carnivora",
    "family": "Mustelidae",
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 10,
    "lengthM": 1,
    "topSpeedKmh": 12,
    "lifespanYears": 13
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Lutrinae"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (fish, crustaceans, invertebrates)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coasts"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "10–15 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "1–45 kg depending on species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "0.6–1.5 m (2–5 ft) including tail"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Varies by species"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Rivers, lakes, and coasts across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.",
    "continents": [
      "North America",
      "South America",
      "Europe",
      "Asia",
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Lutrinae.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Lutrinae&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Otter.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otter"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/otter/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/otter/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}