Information Source: http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lutrogale_perspicillata/
Smooth-Coated Otter
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Lutrogale
Species: Lutrogale perspicillata
Smooth-coated Otters are part of the subfamily Lutrinae, under the family of Mustelidae.
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp3203-2017-02/files/2017/03/mustelid-phylogeny-conventional-600-px-tiny-July-2015-Darren-Naish-Tetrapod-Zoology-2ebahz2-e1488961384547.jpg)
Image Credit: Darren Naish
Currently, there are 13 extant otter species.
However, things do not look optimistic for the world otterĀ population.
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the population trend for 12 out of 13 species is decreasing, and their conservation status is eitherĀ Endangered, Vulnerable or Near-Threatened.
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp3203-2017-02/files/2017/03/IUCN-1jvpuka.png)
Image Credit: Otter Specialist Group