Such clawless and small-clawed otters handle food in much the same way as raccoons. These otters feed on shellfish that live in shallow water. All otters have claws. Even the so-called clawless otter has short claws on the three middle toes of its hind feet. The life of an otter.
Otters eat crayfish, crabs, and fish.
Although otters can sometimes catch such swift-swimming fish as trout, they generally capture slower fish. They also eat clams, frogs, insects, snails, snakes, and, occasionally, waterfowl. Otters are active the year around. Where people hunt them, they move about more at night than during the day. They hunt mostly alone, but sometimes they hunt in family groups.