All otters have very good hearing. Some scientists believe that an otter's sense of hearing is more important than smell for sensing danger.

Eyesight is probably the most important sense for hunting.

A specialized lens and cornea correct for the refraction of light caused by the transition from aerial to aquatic vision.

Vision studies conducted on Asian small-clawed otters suggest that, in bright light, visual resolution is equally good in water and air; in dim light, resolution is better in air than in water.

Clawless otters and sea otters have very sensitive forepaws. The areas of their brains that receive tactile sensory information from the forelimbs are enlarged. These otters use their forepaws for foraging.

An otter's vibrissae are very sensitive to tactile stimulation and to underwater vibrations.

Otters show preferences for certain foods, but researchers don't know if taste is important in these preferences.

Otters have an acute sense of smell. It is probably the most important sense for communication about territories and assessing breeding readiness.