FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

All Otter the World! Trivia Quiz

Otters can be found almost worldwide, but how well do you know the different species?

A multiple-choice quiz by Lutrine. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Lutrine

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
282,144

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
613

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This first otter is native to Europe and Asia. They can be quite elusive and solitary. Its scientific name is Lutra lutra, but you know it better as the: Hint

Sea otter

Hairy nosed otter

Eurasian otter

Asian short clawed otter

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This otter is a very social animal and can live in groups of as many as a dozen. They can use their paws almost as well as a human can use his hands. They are also the smallest of all species of otter. Hint

American river otter

Sea otter

Asian short clawed otter

Spotted necked otter

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. The North American river otter is unique to the continent. Despite its name it can be found in lakes and on coasts, but where in North America would you find these animals? Hint

East coast USA

All of these

West coast USA

Canada

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This otter was thought to be extinct in 1998. Thankfully, they have been rediscovered in Vietnam and Thailand. Hint

Marine otter

Giant otter

Hairy nosed otter

Cape clawless otter

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. One of the larger otters yet still adorably cute, the sea otter spends a lot of its time out in the ocean, keeping warm with its very thick fur and by eating a third of its own body weight every day. Where in the world would you find them? Hint

Pacific Ocean

Indian Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

Southern Ocean

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The giant otter is the biggest of all, and is even one of the biggest carnivores in the area. However, like the tiny Asian otters they live in social groups. On which continent would you find the giant otter? Hint

North America

South America

Africa

Oceania

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. South America is home to several species of otter, but which one of the following is NOT native? Hint

Smooth coated otter

Southern river otter

Neotropical otter

Marine otter

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. South America isn't the only continent with many otters to its name. Several species call Africa their home, but which of the following does not belong there? Hint

They all live in Africa

Spotted necked otter

Neotropical otter

Cape clawless otter

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Time to recap. One species of otter has been given the name 'sea cat', but can you work out which one? Hint

Sea otter

Eurasian otter

Congo otter

Marine otter

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Unfortunately one kind of otter has become extinct. Which one? Hint

Hairy nosed otter

Maxwell's otter

Sea otter

Bay otter

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This first otter is native to Europe and Asia. They can be quite elusive and solitary. Its scientific name is Lutra lutra, but you know it better as the:

Answer: Eurasian otter

Eurasian otters are protected in Europe due to their once-declining numbers. Their muzzles are quite pointed compared to other species. It is said that otters are a very important indicator of the health of a river, so their presence is welcomed in many urban areas as a sign of the water quality improving.

Answer: Asian short clawed otter

These otters love to play with pebbles, and you can often find them on their backs throwing one around the place. They can also be very noisy, a means of communicating among the group which also doubles as a tool to make humans feed them for being so adorable. Okay, that may not be true, but otters are very smart creatures...

3. The North American river otter is unique to the continent. Despite its name it can be found in lakes and on coasts, but where in North America would you find these animals?

Answer: All of these

These otters are quite plentiful all over America and Canada, although they are threatened or extinct in many states in mid-America. Many states allow hunting for their fur, though just as many have banned it, thankfully.

4. This otter was thought to be extinct in 1998. Thankfully, they have been rediscovered in Vietnam and Thailand.

Answer: Hairy nosed otter

Like many otter species, human activity and hunting significantly affected the population. Hopefully more of these beautiful animals will be found.

Answer: Pacific Ocean

Mothers keep their young on their chests as they float on their backs. When they need to hunt for food, they wrap the pup in kelp to camouflage it from predators and stop it floating away. Adult otters also hold hands, though rather than for affection, they do this to prevent ocean currents carrying an otter away from the group.

Answer: South America

There are no otters in Oceania!

7. South America is home to several species of otter, but which one of the following is NOT native?

Answer: Smooth coated otter

The smooth coated otter lives in Asia with the Eurasian and Asian short clawed otter, and is bigger than both of them.

8. South America isn't the only continent with many otters to its name. Several species call Africa their home, but which of the following does not belong there?

Answer: Neotropical otter

The Congo otter also lives here, and is similar to the self-descriptive clawless otter.

9. Time to recap. One species of otter has been given the name 'sea cat', but can you work out which one?

Answer: Marine otter

'Lontra felina' is found along the Pacific coast in South America. These otters are smaller than most and feed on shellfish. They are still hunted despite being fully protected by the Chilean government. It seems a sad fact of life for most otters!

10. Unfortunately one kind of otter has become extinct. Which one?

Answer: Maxwell's otter

Mijbil, an Iraqi marsh otter, is the star of Gavin Maxwell's book 'Ring of Bright Water' and is described as a type of smooth coated otter. The species was named after him after he brought Mijbil to the UK. Drainage and pollution of Iraqi salt marshes are believed to have made this species extinct. Hairy nosed otters were believed to be extinct but still exist, the sea otter is endangered, and the bay otter is a figment of my imagination.

Source: Author Lutrine

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.