Smooth-coated otter

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/smooth-coated-otter

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Lutrogale perspicillata
2. What is the lifespan?Estimated lifespan in the wild is approximately 10-15 years
3. What does a smooth-coated otter look like?It has short, dense, smooth fur that helps it glide through water. Its body is streamlined with webbed feet and a long tail that works like a rudder. It also has whiskers that feel tiny waves in the water.
4. How does a smooth-coated otter swim so fast?Its smooth fur reduces drag, making it glide easily. The webbed feet push water, and the tail steers it like a boat. It can even close its nostrils and ears to dive deeper.

Vulnerable: A conservation status classification indicating a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Habitat Degradation: The process by which a habitat's quality is reduced, making it less suitable for species.
Piscivorous: An animal whose diet consists mainly of fish.
Vibrissae: Specialized sensory hairs, commonly known as whiskers, used for tactile sensing.