The eyes are high on the head and close together and the lenses are adapted to adjust rapidly when going from land to water and back. The ears are small and the nose and ear canals are sealed when the otter is diving. The teeth are large and broad which helps to crush the shell of crabs and mollusks. The whiskers above the lips are used to detect changes in the water current and pressure which helps to find prey. The tail is covered with fur with a thick base and tapered at the end.
Otters have short limbs with the forefeet shorter that the hind feet, and broad paws.
The fingers on the forepaws are very sensitive and nimble and are used to located food in the mud beneath the rocks. The fur is grayish brown to dark brown in color, with a lighter underside and a gray or whitish throat. When diving however, the otter doesn't use the limbs, but uses powerful lateral wriggling motions of the body and tail to move through the water. The forelegs are back against the body and the hindlegs are used as rudders and stabilizers. They can dive very quickly and stay submerged for up to 30 seconds.