Cape clawless otters are found in widely varying habitats, from dense rainforest to open coastal plain and semi-arid zones. Like humans, giant otters are quite gregarious. The giant otter or giant river otter(Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a South American carnivorous mammal. [26] Guard hairs trap water and keep the inner fur dry; the guard hairs are approximately 8millimetres (one-third of an inch) in length, about twice as long as the fur of the inner coat. Most otter species have at least one permanent burrow (den) by water. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. 04. [75][82], In 2006, most of this species lived in the Brazilian Amazon and its bordering areas. Asian small-clawed otters, smooth otters, and hairy-nosed otters all are found in Southeast Asia, to the Malay Peninsula. Please be respectful of copyright. The giant otter has a handful of other names. They prefer waterways that have gently sloping banks and good cover. [57] One full-year study of giant otter scats in Amazonian Brazil found fish present in all fecal samples. [58] The giant otter seems to be opportunistic, taking whatever species are most locally abundant. All rights reserved. The giant otter, a native of South America, is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Giant Brazilian Otter lives in South America in the Amazon and Orinoco basins from Venezuela to Paraguay and South Brazil. An analysis of dry season range size for three otter groups in Ecuador found areas between 0.45 and 2.79 square kilometres (0.17 and 1.08sqmi). Chris Oberholtz. Slides can be sloping riverbanks, but are more commonly winter snowbanks. Southern river otters are found in Argentina and Chile. - Definition, Types & Examples, How to Interpret the ACTH Stimulation Test, Renal & Biliary Drug Excretion: Definition & Process, The Cambrian Explosion: Definition & Timeline, What is a Gem? Plants can talk. Illegal killing still occurs, often at the hands of fishermen, who see Giant otters as competition for fish. These huge. The tail is well-muscled and can be as long as 28 inches. Reproductive maturity is reached when they are 2 years old. Like human families, these animals mate in monogamous. Here are seven facts you otter know about this South American member of the Mustelidae family. Other water habitats include freshwater springs and permanent freshwater lakes. [30], At the time of Carter and Rosas' writing, vision had not been directly studied, but field observations show the animal primarily hunts by sight; above water, it is able to recognize observers at great distances. Breakfast with the otters and the fishers. "Giant otter" translates literally as nutria gigante and lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. Habitat fragmentation and loss, as well as pollution, are the current major threats to the Giant otter, as the areas where they live are degraded and destroyed by logging, mining, and damming. A giant otter photographed at Dallas World Aquarium in Texas. A group of giant otters easily corners and captures fish. It is a gregarious species, living in groups of up to 20 individuals, and will attack potential predators such as caimans. Marine otters live along the Pacific coast of South America, ranging from northern Peru to Tierra del Fuego. The triplets were born on . [79][80], Other threats to the giant otter include conflict with fishermen, who often view the species as a nuisance (see below). California otters often prefer kelp beds, probably because of the protection and food resources they provide. Learn about the giant river otter's habitat, population, and behavior. Sizeable burrows are then built under fallen logs. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. [2] In the former, investigation has shown thinly distributed population remnants. Parasites, such as the larvae of flies and a variety of intestinal worms, also afflict the giant otter. They groom each other, rest, and may even hunt together. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. They den by burrowing into banks or under fallen logs, and establish a home territory that they will aggressively defend. [48][49] Research over five years on a breeding pair at the Cali Zoo in Colombia found the average interval between litters was six to seven months, but as short as 77 days when the previous litter did not survive. Schenck et al., who undertook extensive fieldwork in Peru in the 1990s, suggest specific "no-go" zones where the species is most frequently observed, offset by observation towers and platforms to allow viewing. It is found in the main rainforest block of central Africa from Nigeria to Zambia, with a few isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. Their numbers are currently declining, with no population recovery in sight. Cape clawless otters do not dig burrows. Can we do the same? [62], Other species that prey upon similar food resources include the caimans and large fish that are themselves piscivores. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. A wildlife park in the U.K. welcomed a "surprise" litter of otter triplets. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. [52] This sensitivity is matched by a strong protectiveness towards the young. The survival of the giant otter populations in the Guianas is essential to the survival of this endangered species in South America. Giant otters can hunt singly, in pairs, and in groups, relying on sharp eyesight to locate prey. This species was excessively hunted up until the late 1970s for its valuable fur. Sometimes this can lead to fisherman killing the giant otters to ward off such competition. [40] One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. A wavering scream may be used in bluff charges against intruders, while a low growl is used for aggressive warning. Clawless otter (genus Aonyx) habitats vary greatly among the species and between individuals. A population of Giant otter was studied in the central Brazilian Amazon at the Xixua Reserve, Roraima (048'S, 6133'W), in order to gather preliminary information on spatial use of habitat. Currently, there are almost none in Argentina and Uruguay, and they are very rare in Paraguay. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7m (4ft 11in and 5ft 7in)in length from head to tail and females between .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}1 and 1.5m (3ft 3+12in and 4ft 11in). In seasonally flooded areas, the giant otter may abandon campsites during the wet season, dispersing to flooded forests in search of prey. [13] The giant otter shares the South American continent with three of the four members of the New World otter genus Lontra: the Neotropical river otter, the southern river otter, and the marine otter. She has a Master's Degree in Cellular and Molecular Physiology from Tufts Medical School and a Master's of Teaching from Simmons College. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. Webbed feet and powerful tails, which act like rudders, make otters strong swimmers. Photo by: Frank Hajek. Poaching has long been a problem. 08:00am - 10:30am. It may be the solution to overfishing. Data on the occurrence and habitat use of giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis in the 4,437 km 2 of Balbina hydroelectric lake in central Amazonia, Brazil, were collected from September 2001 to December 2005. 52-million-year-old bat skeletons are the oldest ever found. [37], The giant otter is a highly social animal and lives in extended family groups. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. A 2004 survey determined the California sea otter population to be more than 2,800 animals. French. [78] Duplaix relates the story of an Arawak Indian who took two pups from their parents. The smaller neotropical otter is far more shy, less noisy, and less social; at about a third the weight of the giant otter, it is more vulnerable to predation, hence, a lack of conspicuousness is to its advantage. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is an endangered semi-aquatic carnivore of South America. Full. A male's range often overlaps that of one or more females. [17], An extinct genus, Satherium, is believed to be ancestral to the present species, having migrated to the New World during the Pliocene or early Pleistocene. for females. Very little information is available on worldwide population figures for freshwater otters. Hums and coos are more reassuring within the group. [11] The genus name, Pteronura, is derived from the Ancient Greek words (pteron, feather or wing) and (oura, tail),[12] a reference to its distinctive, wing-like tail. Celebrate A Conservation Success Story During Sea Otter Awareness Week!, Blogger, 2 Oct. 2017, natural-history-journal . Giant otters adopt communal latrines beside campsites, and dig dens with a handful of entrances, typically under root systems or fallen trees. The giant otter or giant river otter[4] (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Farmers follow, creating depleted soil and disrupted habitats. All rights reserved. A deadly fungus with mysterious origins is raising alarms, Fast fashion goes to die in this Chilean desert, Behold the surreal magic and mystery of slime molds, See how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world, 'The Odyssey' offers more than just monsters and magic, The forgotten history of cats in the navy. [70], The species has also appeared in the folklore of the region. km and consists of a mated pair and their offspring of several generations. tree-bark mulch and soft pebble-free sand/soil). [49] Females have a gestation period of 65 to 70 days, giving birth to one to five pups, with an average of two. They noted that the species may be the basal divergence among the otters or fall outside of them altogether, having split even before other mustelids, such as the ermine, polecat, and mink. Preferred habitat features include high banks for denning, thick vegetation and high fish densities [2,3]. The giant otter is almost 1.5 m long, with an additional metre provided by its tail. If you've ever been scuba diving or snorkeling, you know that donning a pair of large fins makes you swim far faster than your own feet, which are designed for land. Many otter species undergo seasonal movements, but no extensive migrations. The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter. Today you'll be learning about the giant otter. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. Females retreat to their underground dens and deliver litters of one to six young. At 9-10 months they can hunt independently and look just like their parents. [2] Four specific vegetation types occur on one important creek in Suriname: riverbank high forest, floodable mixed marsh and high swamp forest, floodable low marsh forest, and grass islands and floating meadows within open areas of the creek itself. Within groups, otters are extremely peaceful and cooperative. Today we're going to learn more about where they live, how their populations are changing and some cool facts about the giant otter. The giant otter is found in South America in a range of countries including Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6ft). When in the water, the giant otter faces danger from animals not strictly preying upon it: the electric eel and stingray are potentially deadly if stumbled upon, and piranha may be capable of at least taking bites out of a giant otter, as evidenced by scarring on individuals. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Giant otters do not store food. [62] In addition, solitary animals and young may be vulnerable to attacks by the jaguar, cougar, and anaconda, but this is based on historical reports, not direct observation. This review provides a reference for future research work and a source of information for future restoration of giant panda habitat. The giant otter possesses short fur compared to other otter . Giant otters prefer habitats with non-floodable banks that have vegetation cover and where there is easy access to hunting places in relatively shallow waters. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. Fish are supplemented by crustaceans, snakes, and other river creatures. It may be the solution to overfishing. It lives in streams, wetlands and slow flowing larger rivers. Otters mark their territories with scent. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring 65 to 94 cm (26-37 in.) Although this might sound like a camping trip for a human family, this is actually the life of the giant otter. Giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis are semiaquatic mammals that mainly eat fish, the abundance of which is affected by seasonal flooding and habitat structure. Spraint stations are areas designated by otters for routine, systematic defecation. Giant Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18711/0. Otters play a significant role in their representative habitats, which include giant kelp forests and rocky shorelines. Giant Otter This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. [6] In Spanish, river wolf (Spanish: lobo de ro) and water dog (Spanish: perro de agua) are used occasionally (though the latter also refers to several different animals) and may have been more common in the reports of explorers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Giant otters are mammals related to the weasel family. Otters are widely distributed. [85][86] Bolivia designated wetlands larger than the size of Switzerland as a freshwater protected area in 2001; these are also home to the giant otter. They live in family groups, composed of 2-15 individuals, including a dominant breeding pair, non-breeding subadults, and offspring. 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