Largely as a result of hunting the Giant Otter is now classed as seriously endangered in Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay and Venezuela. They also have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. The most famous and common otter is the European, or ordinary river otter, inhabits North Africa, Europe (besides Switzerland and the Netherlands) also Asia, not meeting only on the Arabian Peninsula. https://www.savacations.com/giant-river-otters-amazon-rainforest The implementation of CITES in 1973 finally brought about significant hunting reductions,[12] although demand did not disappear entirely: in the 1980s, pelt prices were as high as US$250 on the European market. [45], Suriname still has significant forest cover and an extensive system of protected areas, much of which protects the giant otter. [50] This sensitivity is matched by a strong protectiveness towards the young. Form and function. In South America, the otter-record holder lives in length and weight among representatives of the subfamily – the giant, or the Brazilian otter. [2] Populations in Bolivia were once widespread but the country became a "black spot" on distribution maps after poaching between the 1940s and 1970s; a relatively healthy, but still small, population of 350 was estimated in the country in 2002. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Fish are supplemented by crustaceans, snakes, and other river creatures. [61] Giant otters may adopt preferred locations perennially, often on high ground. Each of these holts lives within their own territory. These South American otters ( Pteronura Brasiliensis) are the biggest in the world, reaching about 1.8 meters long. [43] The giant otter seems to prefer prey fish that are generally immobile on river bottoms in clear water. Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean while giant otters live in the tropical rain forests of South America. One full-year study of giant otter scats in Amazonian Brazil found fish present in all fecal samples. The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America. 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. Be advised that any attempt to poison an otter is considered illegal, and would cause … Neotropical otter – As the name suggests this is one of the species that lives in warm environments. Giant otters are an endangered species living in the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems in large, gregarious families. Otters are found almost all over the world and in many wet habitats, such freshwater rivers, lakes, oceans, coastlines and marshes. The giant otter is a large semi-aquatic mammal that lives in the Amazon River basin and in the Pantanal wetlands in South America. In summary: Cage should be outdoors. The giant otter lives in South America and its population is concentrated along the shores of the Amazon. [85], Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, "Searching for the Giant Otter in Northeastern Argentina", "Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation", "Cytogenetic study of the giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis Zimmermann 1780 (Carnivora, Mustelidae, Lutrinae)", "Otters: A SeaWorld Education Department Publication", "The Vocal Repertoire of Adult and Neonate Giant Otters (, "Territorial choruses of giant otter groups (Pteronura brasiliensis) encode information on group identity", "Distribution and Population Status of the Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis in Bolivia", "Intraspecific Agonism between Giant Otter Groups", "Change Of Partners In A Giant Otter Alpha Couple", "An analysis and review of the sociobiology of the Mustelidae", Guianas Rapid River Bio-assessments and Giant Otter Conservation Project, "Dry and Rainy Season Estimations of Giant Otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, Home-Range in the Yasuní National Park, Ecuador", "How a social lifestyle helped drive a river otter species to near extinction", "Differential resilience of Amazonian otters along the Rio Negro in the aftermath of the 20th century international fur trade", "Mercury levels in tissues of Giant otters (, "Giant Otter Project In Peru: Field Trip And Activity Report, 1998", "A Survey of Kaburi Creek, West Suriname, and its Conservation Implications", "WWF welcomes Latin America's largest freshwater protected area", "Estudio preliminar sobre el estado de conservación de la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en la zona de influencia de Inírida (Bajo río Inírida) Guainía, Colombia", "PER-I38: El mundo del agua temido y poco conocido", "Biology and conservation of Giant Otter (, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giant_otter&oldid=998738643, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles containing Portuguese-language text, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 January 2021, at 20:31. Females appear to give birth year round, although in the wild, births may peak during the dry season. About us. [4] At Tierpark Hagenbeck in Germany, long-term pair bonding and individualized mate selection were seen, with copulation most frequently taking place in water. [11], The otters form the subfamily Lutrinae within the mustelids and the giant otter is the only member of the genus Pteronura. Gymnotids, such as the electric eel, and the large silurid catfish are among aquatic competitors. Fish from the order Perciformes, particularly cichlids, were seen in 97% of scats, and Characiformes, such as characins, in 86%. [2] Typically, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks. The largest otter is the giant otter. Giant otters in the wild live 10 to 13 years. Giant otters live across South America’s Amazon basin, including Tambopata National Reserve, in southeastern Peru. [2] Given local extinctions, the species' range has become discontinuous. [57] Furthermore, Defler observed associations between giant otters and the Amazon river dolphins, and suggested that dolphins may benefit by fish fleeing from the otters. [5] In Spanish, river wolf (Spanish: lobo de río) 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. Other threats to the giant otter include conflict with fishermen, who often view the species as a nuisance (see below). In South America, the giant otter resides among hundreds of hungry caimans (a type of crocodilian related to alligators) without any issue. To spend much more time on land than other otters from Africa, are! [37] In another instance in Brazil, a carcass was found with clear indications of violent assault by other otters, including bites to the snout and genitals, an attack pattern similar to that exhibited by captive animals. They have very streamlined bodies, with a … Giant Otters typically live in and along the Amazon River. [4] Other sources have found greater intervals, with as long as 21 to 33 months suggested for otters in the wild. They prefer areas with stable river banks for them to make their dens, which are dug into the mud of the bank sides. All group members may aggressively charge intruders, including boats with humans in them. The giant otter's highly sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) allow the animal to track changes in water pressure and currents, which aids in detecting prey. This is the smallest otter species being only about 11 lbs. [54] If fish are unavailable, it will also take crabs, snakes, and even small caimans and anacondas. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. [16] (The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is the fourth Lontra member.) The behavior of the otter. Discover where otters live in the UK, how you can spot their signs, and where you can see them for yourself. Another thing that is important when it comes to their health and wellbeing is the food they consume. The otter can attack from both above and below, swiveling at the last instant to clamp the prey in its jaws. The length of her body without a tail reaches 150 cm, the tail in length is 70 … [39] One tentative theory for the development of sociality in mustelids is that locally abundant, but unpredictably dispersed, and prey causes groups to form. Even when told of the importance of the species to ecosystems and the danger of extinction, interviewees showed little interest in continuing to coexist with the species. Limits on the number of tourists at any one time, fishing prohibitions, and a minimum safe distance of 50 metres (164 ft) are proposed to offer further protection. Parasites, such as the larvae of flies and a variety of intestinal worms, also afflict the giant otter. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggressi… Giant Otters have excellent eyesight, a flat wide- based tail and they are well suited to an aquatic life. Giant Otters feed predominantly on fish, mainly characins (primitive fish related to pirhanas, which make up over 50% of the diet) as well as catfish and perch. Otters do climb, adding to the complexity of the habitat, so a top is required. The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. The three Guianas remain the last stronghold of giant otters in South America, with pristine giant otter habitat on some rivers and good giant otter densities overall—still, but for how long? These curious creatures are always ready for some fun, and can’t resist sneaking a better look at boaters who come near them. [36] The species has likely been extirpated from southern Brazil, but in the west of the country, decreased hunting pressure in the critical Pantanal has led to very successful recolonization; an estimate suggests 1,000 or more animals in the region. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. [64], The species has also appeared in the folklore of the region. They come in many sizes. [83] The indigenous Kichwa peoples from Amazonian Peru believed in a world of water where Yaku runa reigned as mother of the water and was charged with caring for fish and animals. (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. [60] They clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites. Giant otters mate in the water and give birth to 2 or 3 pups in August to October. This makes it easier for the adults to catch enough fish for the growing young, and for the pups to learn how to catch fish. Cage should have a top and fencing needs to extend in-ground. [18], Phylogenetic analysis by Koepfli and Wayne in 1998 found the giant otter has the highest divergence sequences within the otter subfamily, forming a distinct clade that split away 10 to 14 million years ago. [68] The animal's relatively late sexual maturity and complex social life makes hunting especially disastrous.[12][69][70]. Group sizes are anywhere from two to 20 members, but likely average between four and eight. The giant otter's hearing is acute and its sense of smell is excellent. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/g/giant-otter.html. Other researchers suggest approximately 7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi) and note a strong inverse correlation between sociality and home range size; the highly social giant otter has smaller home range sizes than would be expected for a species of its mass. Giant otters live in South America, throughout the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River systems (mostly in the northern half of South America). Habitat Giant Otters are only found in the rainforests and rivers of South America. [80], Throughout its range, the giant otter interacts with indigenous groups, who often practice traditional hunting and fishing. Early documentation of skins and live animals suggest that they once grew up to 7.9 feet in length (2.4 m), but such large specimens ceased to exist when the giant otter population began to decline. [13] P. b. paraguensis is supposedly smaller and more gregarious, with different dentition and skull morphology. A wavering scream may be used in bluff charges against intruders, while a low growl is used for aggressive warning. In terms of otters, the giant one has the shortest coat and its … Statistics show between 1959 and 1969 Amazonian Brazil alone accounted for 1,000 to 3,000 pelts annually. The Brazilian otters live in small family groups in quiet rivers: the Amazon and the Orinoco. [63] Pups are more vulnerable, and may be taken by caiman and other large predators,[50] although adults are constantly mindful of stray young, and will harass and fight off possible predators. They reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age. "Giant otter" translates literally as nutria gigante and lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. Like most other otter species, giant otters come ashore to give birth. The Giant Otters are gregarious and live in groups of 3-10 individuals known as holts. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to Mora and Alexandra, two female Giant Otters from Duisburg Zoo in Germany. The territories would never coincide or overlap with territories that belong to the other groups. [71] Specific threats from human industry include unsustainable mahogany logging in parts of the giant otter range,[68] and concentrations of mercury in its diet of fish, a byproduct of gold mining. 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