Genus Aonyx — Clawless Otters
Muzzle bald, oblong; skull broad, depressed, shorter and more globose than in Lutra; the molars larger than in the last genus; flesh tooth larger, and with a large internal lobe; first upper premolar generally absent; feet oblong, elongate; toes slender and tapering; claws rudimentary.
No. 199. AONYX LEPTONYX.
The Clawless Otter (Jerdon’s No. 102).
Native Names.—Chusam, Bhotia; Suriam, Lepcha.
Habitat.—Throughout the Himalayas, also in Lower Bengal and in Burmah.
Description.—“Above earthy brown or chestnut brown; lips, sides of head, chin, throat, and upper part of breast white, tinged with yellowish-grey. In young individuals the white of the lower parts is less distinct, sometimes very pale brownish.”—Jerdon.
Size.—Head and body, 24 Inches; tail, 13.
Mason speaks of this species as common in Burmah, and McMaster mentions his having seen in the Sitang River a colony of white-throated otters smaller than L. nair, though larger than L. aurobrunnea, but he did not secure specimens.
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