The otter civet weighs 3-5 kg (6.6-11 lb). It is found in and near streams, rivers and wetlands, eating fish, frogs, crustaceans, freshwater molluscs, and to a lesser extent, small mammals, birds and fruit.

The otter civet is found in Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo. Although widespread it is rare throughout most of its range. It is threatened by the loss of wetlands and other aquatic habitat to development, siltation from mines, persistent pesticides in the food chain, and other kinds of water pollution.