A newborn otter fitted snugly into the palm of a handler as the animal and its siblings made their happy arrival at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

The births of the creatures were part of a species survival plan run by the organisation.

A post on Facebook said: “The BAMZ is happy to announce the birth of three Asian small-clawed otters.

“Proud parents Raakshas and Zucchini gave birth to two boys and one girl recently.

“They will be on and off exhibit as they attend to their growing ‘romp’.

“This will make six otters born at BAMZ over the last two years as part of their Species Survival Plan.”

The BAMZ post explained: “Generally, a group of otters on land is called a romp, and a group in the water is called a raft or bevy.”

It added: “Asian small-clawed otters — Aonyx cinereus — are the smallest otter species in the world.

“They have a sleek, slender body and short claws with a high degree of dexterity, which they use for various tasks like grooming and catching prey.

“They have a smooth, velvety coat that is usually brown or grey in colour with a lighter underside.”

The post said that members of the species were highly social and known for close-knit family groups.

It added: “They live in extended family units that can consist of several generations, with the dominant breeding pair at the centre.

“The entire family participates in activities like foraging, grooming and raising the young.”

The post explained that Asian small-clawed otters are found in aquatic habitats throughout South and South-East Asia, including mangrove swamps, freshwater wetlands and rice paddies.

It said: “They are excellent swimmers and have adaptations that allow them to thrive in aquatic environments.

“Their diet primarily consists of small aquatic creatures, such as crustaceans, molluscs, fish, frogs and insects.

“They use their sensitive paws to locate and capture prey underwater, and they are known to use tools like rocks to break open shells.”

The post added: “Asian small-clawed otters are highly vocal animals and use a range of vocalisations to communicate with each other.

“These vocalisations include chirps, whistles and other unique sounds that help them co-ordinate activities and maintain social bonds within their family groups.

“These otters are not only fascinating creatures due to their physical characteristics and behaviours but also due to their strong family dynamics and communication methods.”