giant otter size comparison to humangiant otter size comparison to human

A sea otter has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, and must consume large quantities of food. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The fact that it is exclusively active during the day further suggests its eyesight should be strong, to aid in hunting and predator avoidance. Mating takes place in water, and like other otters, giant otters come ashore to give birth. [64], Giant otters use areas beside rivers for building dens, campsites, and latrines. The last sighting of a giant otter in the wild in Argentina was in the 1980s. Here are seven facts you otter know about this South American member of the Mustelidae family. The cubs are born blind. Carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily, there are 13 otter species found around the world, including the giant river otters, North American river otter, Asian small-clawed otter, European otter, Japanese river otter and African clawless otter, as well as many less well known species. While meeting with one another, they show typical behavior known as a periscope, where they display their throats and chins for easy identification. The fastest species of otter is the giant otter, which uses its long tail for propulsion and can reach peak speeds of up to 25 km/h . or around the size of a chocolate lab. The average length for a giant otter is 6 feet (1.9 m) tall, with a typical length ranging from 57 to 71 in (145 to 180 cm). The average length for a giant otter is 57 to 71 inches (145 to 180 cm), with an average weight of 53 pounds (24 kg). [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. These huge members of the weasel family swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails and flexing their long bodies. 5. Carter and Rosas, however, rejected the subspecific division in 1997, noting the classification had only been validated once, in 1968, and the P. b. paraguensis type specimen was very similar to P. b. [77] Duplaix relates the story of an Arawak Indian who took two pups from their parents. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. The otter can attack from both above and below, swiveling at the last instant to clamp the prey in its jaws. Who wrote it? Among the 13 living species of otters, the sea otter ( Enhydra lutris) and the freshwater-living giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis) are the largest (up to 45 kg) and longest (up to 1.8 m) species of mustelid, respectively ( Duplaix 1980; Riedman and Estes 1990 ). Within groups, otters are extremely peaceful and cooperative. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. [63] It occurs in freshwater rivers and streams, which generally flood seasonally. Fur/hair/coat: Extremely soft, chocolate brown fur that is uniformly distributed all over the body. Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! Gymnotids, such as the electric eel, and the large silurid catfish are among aquatic competitors. The giant otters are excellent predators as they have whiskers that help them detect the vibrations in the river bed to find prey very quickly. Todays 5-year-olds will likely live to 100, How to take better care of your aging brain. Schoolchildren, however, had a more positive impression of the animal. [63] Otters do not visit or mark every site daily, but usually patrol all of them, often by a pair of otters in the morning. Farmers follow, creating depleted soil and disrupted habitats. What does cancer smell like? The young ones are called cubs, are kept in dens in the initial weeks, and become independent within a year. Locat. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft). No chlorine in case that matters. The Giant otter, living in South America, and the largest of the otters in its total length, is the cousin of the sea and river otters in North America, Europe, and Africa. The giant river otter size is a remarkable six feet in total length from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. [70] One difference in behavior was seen in the country in 2002: the normally inquisitive giant otters showed "active avoidance behavior with visible panic" when boats appeared. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous' A territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima An apex predator, also known as a top predator, is a predator at the top of a food chain and has no natural predators. [39] 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. [63], Local people sometimes take pups for the exotic pet trade or as pets for themselves, but the animal rapidly grows to become unmanageable. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? It is one of the most endangered mammal species in the Neotropics. Fish remains were of medium-sized species that seem to prefer relatively shallow water, to the advantage of the probably visually oriented giant otter. The fight is to the death. It is difficult to differentiate between giant male and female species as they have almost similar heads and body shapes. Group sizes are anywhere from two to 20 members, but likely average between four and eight. What does cancer smell like? The giant otter has a handful of other names. What the WWF doesn't say, but you can see for yourself in the video on their page linked above, is that these otters also like to tease wildlife videographers and then swim away laughing. The giant otters are found in South America, Peru, Brazil, and Venezuela. Early travelers' reports describe noisy groups surrounding explorers' boats, but little scientific information was available on the species until Duplaix's groundbreaking work in the late 1970s. In Brazil it is known as ariranha, from the Tup word ari'raa, meaning water jaguar (Portuguese: ona-d'gua). They appear in a fish poisoning legend where they assist a man who has wasted his sexual energy, creating the anacondas of the world from his distressed and extended genitals. [89] 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. 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). A species of the family Bovidae and genus Taurotragus, it was described in 1847 by John Edward Gray. [52], Studies of giant otters in captivity have given indications about the environment necessary to both maintain a physically and behaviorally healthy population and allow successful cub-rearing. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. 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. Giant otters served as Yaku runa's canoes. [55], The longest documented giant otter lifespan in the wild is eight years. Their habitat also includes wild dense forests and riverbanks where there is a water flow throughout the year. [39] [42] Population densities varied with a high of 1.2/km2 (3.1/sqmi) reported in Suriname and with a low of 0.154/km2 (0.40/sqmi) found in Guyana. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. Two river dolphins, the tucuxi and boto, might potentially compete with the giant otter, but different spatial use and dietary preferences suggest minimal overlap. Lobo de Rio (the River wolf), Los Lobos del Rio (Wolves of the River), Ariranha, Giant otter, Giant river otter. Their lifespan in the wild is 10 to 13 years and up to 17 years in human care. The family members clear an area beside a stream for their living quarters, of up to 50 sq meters, usually near feeding sites. Other otters, such as Asian small-clawed otter, have a length range of 26-37 in (65-94 cm). 2. [24] Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. Fish make up most of the giant otter's diet. Photo: Robert Shea. They consume about 10% of their body weight daily. Although some breeding occurs throughout the year, the peak of the breeding season is from late spring to early summer. [25] Giant otters use these marks to recognize one another, and upon meeting other otters, they engage in a behavior known as "periscoping", displaying their throats and upper chests to each other. Otters come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the species. All rights reserved. [8], The Boror people have a legend on the origin of tobacco smoking: those who used the leaf improperly by swallowing it were punished by being transformed into giant otters; the Bororo also associate the giant otter with fish and with fire. [63] Duplaix identified two critical factors in habitat selection: food abundance, which appears to positively correlate to shallow water, and low sloping banks with good cover and easy access to preferred water types. . It is a species found living in a group of up to 20 individuals. The main threat for the giant river otters is habitat loss, use of pesticides, and pollution. Weights vary between 40 and 70 pounds. Giant otters are diurnal highly social animals; they live together in family groups numbering 2-20 individuals. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. the giant otter presence during the human shing activity was low (0.34% and 9.5% respectively) and did not signi cantly 12 Mondol , E. and Trebbau, P. (1978) Distribution and status of the giant They can't kill humans though but can cause injuries when they're protecting their babies. The hunting decimated their populations. Goliath Birdeater: 12 Inches. The peak breeding season is between late spring and early summer. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. A 2011 Oceanographic Environmental Research Society study of otter attacks found only 39 documented violent . [48] Pups open their eyes in their fourth week, begin walking in their fifth, and are able to swim confidently between 12 and 14 weeks old. If you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 100 pounds! 4. That home range shrinks drastically during breeding and rearing season. The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) of Asia may be its closest extant relative; similar behaviour, vocalizations, and skull morphology have been noted. What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? Its length is twice the length of the Asian short-clawed otter, the world's smallest otter. [2] Typically, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. All otters produce vocalizations, but by frequency and volume, the giant otter may be the most vocal. 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. Each animal may eat six to nine pounds of food per day. Gestation lasts 65-70 days and the altricial young are born in late August until early October. As per the International Union of Conservation, giant river otters are an Endangered species. Giant otters rarely attack humans unless they feel their cubs and den are threatened. Traveling, food, learning about new cultures, and movies have always interested her, but now her passion for writing is also added to the list. brasiliensis. A giant otter that roamed China six million years ago had a surprisingly strong bite, say scientists. How to identify the giant river otter? Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) - Native to Argentina and Chile, South America. A study of five indigenous communities in Colombia suggests native attitudes toward the animal are a threat: the otters are often viewed as a nuisance that interferes with fishing, and are sometimes killed. [15] P. b. paraguensis is supposedly smaller and more gregarious, with different dentition and skull morphology. On the Bermejo, none have been seen for more than a century. Ensuring that the animals have sufficient privacy from human disturbances (visual and acoustic, from zoo staff or visitors) at parturition and during cub-rearing is also essential, but not sufficient. [60], The species can hunt singly, in pairs, and in groups, relying on sharp eyesight to locate prey. How big can a giant otter grow? The giant otter is 57 to 71 inches (1 to 180 cm) long and weighs 53 pounds (24 kg). The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. [50] Males actively participate in rearing cubs and family cohesion is strong;[51] older, juvenile siblings also participate in rearing, although in the weeks immediately after birth, they may temporarily leave the group. The park harbors many endangered plants and animals, including the giant otter, and holds the world record for mammal diversity. Group hierarchies are not rigid and the animals easily share roles. 2017); domestic dogs with human partners (Ostoji and Clayton 2014 . You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. The species hasn't been seen in the country for about 40 years. After nine or ten months, it is difficult to tell mother from child. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. They also have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. 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. What if we could clean them out? and combined with the giant size . It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. A capacity for aggressive behavior should not be overstated with the giant otter. [40] Duplaix suggests a division between "residents", who are established within groups and territories, and nomadic and solitary "transients"; the categories do not seem rigid, and both may be a normal part of the giant otter life cycle. The Rainbow Bridge comforts many pet parents. [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. The giant otter shows a variety of adaptations suitable to an amphibious lifestyle, including exceptionally dense fur, a wing-like tail, and webbed feet. Fish from the order Perciformes, particularly cichlids and perch,[57] were seen in 97% of scats, and Characiformes, such as characins, in 86%. Giant otter characteristics. (50 kg) about twice that of the modern-day South American giant river . [86], Throughout its range, the giant otter interacts with indigenous groups, who often practice traditional hunting and fishing. Ecotourism also presents challenges: while it raises money and awareness for the animals, by its nature it also increases human effect on the species, both through associated development and direct disturbances in the field. )[38] The groups are strongly cohesive: the otters sleep, play, travel, and feed together. Female: Adult female Alaskan sea otters can reach weights of up to 33 kg (72 lbs. Giant Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18711/0. The established territory is then marked by the scent from the animals' anal glands. 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. "Giant otter" translates literally as nutria gigante and lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. Credits Image: Chelsea Turner/MIT Well suited for an aquatic life, it can close its ears and nose while underwater. A giant otter's average length is 6 feet (1.9 m) but its typical length is 57 to 71 inches (145 to 180 cm). It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. Weighing an estimated 200 kilograms, or 440 pounds, it is the largest otter ever described; it would have rubbed elbows, and possibly competed for food, with our much smaller ancestors when it lived alongside them 3.5 million to 2.5 million years ago. [66] Giant otters may adopt preferred locations perennially, often on high ground. If you liked our suggestions for giant otter size, then why not take a look at what do otters eat orgiant otter facts? The giant otter's hearing is acute and its sense of smell is excellent. tree-bark mulch and soft pebble-free sand/soil). Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. [2] A significant population lives in the wetlands of the central Araguaia River, and in particular within Canto State Park, which, with its 843 oxbow lakes and extensive flooded forests and marshlands, is one of the best habitat patches for this species in Brazil. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. [91], Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 19:07, 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", "Otters: A SeaWorld Education Department Publication", "The Vocal Repertoire of Adult and Neonate Giant Otters (, "Territorial choruses of giant otter groups (, "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. of food each day. These South American weasel family species have potent tails and water-repellent fur, which keeps them dry and warm. It plays an important role in the mythology of the Achuar people, where giant otters are seen as a form of the tsunki, or water spirits: they are a sort of "water people" who feed on fish. Prey species found were also sedentary, generally swimming only short distances, which may aid the giant otter in predation. Currently, there are almost none in Argentina and Uruguay, and they are very rare in Paraguay. It is a type of tarantula. [41] One tentative theory for the development of sociality in mustelids is that locally abundant but unpredictably dispersed prey causes groups to form. The giant otters give birth to a maximum of six young ones at a time. Giant river otters grow to be about 70 pounds (31 kilograms), says the Nature Conservancy. They will seek a peaceful place (or "picnic spot") to eat their prey. Humans are the biggest threat to sea otter populations. The giant otter or giant river otter[4] (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. [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. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. Captive Asian small-clawed otters in the snow (Amblonyx cinereus) Ben Queenborough/Getty 2 Which species are giant otters closely related to? Some pups in the wild are taken for pets and usually die because of the inexperience of caretakers. It can grow around a length of 1.8 m (6 ft). Weight can also vary greatly (e.g. A wavering scream may be used in bluff charges against intruders, while a low growl is used for aggressive warning. Size Code. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. Giant otters are carnivorous mammals with slender body types, webbed feet and sharp claws, oval-shaped heads, round ears, soft fur, and velvety skin. [39] At least one case of a change in alpha relationship has been reported, with a new male taking over the role; the mechanics of the transition were not determined. Follow Liz Langley on Facebook and Twitter. Dr. Cheng Wen-Huar, WRS's chief life sciences officer, was quoted as saying, "With increasing threats such as habitat destruction and poaching, captive breeding programs play a pivotal role in conserving threatened species for our future generations." Lets us know the sizes of different otters and comparison with that of our giant otter. That's according to new research from a. A cub opens its eyes in the fourth week and starts walking in the fifth week. Poaching has long been a problem. [82] Duplaix returned to the country in 2000 and found the giant otter still present on the Kaburi Creek, a "jewel" of biodiversity, although increased human presence and land use suggests, sooner or later, the species may not be able to find suitable habitat for campsites. Explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery on Lake Superior, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, These Lake Superior islands are no place for amateurs, Photograph by Luciano Candisani, Minden Pictures/Corbis, One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. A North American river otter's home range can be as large as 30 square miles (78 square kilometers), but a typical territory is 3 to 15 square miles (4.8 to 24 square kilometers). Otters range in size from 3 kg (6.6 pounds) in the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus, formerly Amblonyx cinereus) to 26 kg (57 pounds) in the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and 45 kg (99 pounds) in the sea otter (Enhydra lutris). One report suggests maximum areas 28m (92ft) long and 15m (49ft) wide, well-marked by scent glands, urine, and feces to signal territory. 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. The giant otters have also been named the river wolf and belong to the weasel family endemic South America. Giant otters are a species of South American mammals belonging to the Pteronura genus. The Guianas are one of the last real strongholds for the species, which also enjoys modest numbers and significant protection in the Peruvian Amazonian basin. Post navigation Previous Post Next Post The reproduction peeks in the dry season. [70], The species has also appeared in the folklore of the region. They have a huge appetite. The giant otter is also rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held.[5]. Get Size Code Apply Size Code. year-round, peak in late spring-early summer. Giant otters adopt communal latrines beside campsites, and dig dens with a handful of entrances, typically under root systems or fallen trees. It is regulated internationally under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meaning commercial trade in specimens (including parts and derivatives) is prohibited. Incorrect descriptions of the species have led to multiple synonyms (the latter subspecies is often P. b. paranensis in the literature). The average life span of giant otters is between 10-13 years in the wild. Females appear to give birth year round, although in the wild, births may peak during the dry season. "Dry and Rainy Season Estimations of Giant Otter, "Giant River Otter Believed to be Extinct Has Been Spotted in Argentina", "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 conservacin de la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en la zona de influencia de Inrida (Bajo ro Inrida) Guaina, Colombia", "PER-I38: El mundo del agua temido y poco conocido", "Biology and conservation of Giant Otter (, "Observations on the ecology and behavior of the giant river otter, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giant_otter&oldid=1141574134, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 19:07. Todays 5-year-olds will likely live to 100, How to take better care of your aging brain. A wavering scream may be used in bluff charges against intruders, while a low growl is used for aggressive warning. [62] Furthermore, Defler observed associations between giant otters and the Amazon river dolphins, and suggested that dolphins may benefit by fish fleeing from the otters. The implementation of CITES in 1973 finally brought about significant hunting reductions,[14] although demand did not disappear entirely: in the 1980s, pelt prices were as high as US$250 on the European market. Very rare in Paraguay captivity ; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held. [ ]... Visually oriented giant otter is large, gregarious, and feed together threat for the giant otter roamed... Member of the Mustelidae family mating takes place in water, and the animals ' anal glands and animals including. The link at the foot of each newsletter share roles of conflict the! These South American carnivorous mammal threat to sea otter has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of size... Young are born in late August until early October may aid the giant otter giant otter size comparison to human large, gregarious and. Flow throughout the year marked by the scent from the animals easily share.... Access to hunting places in relatively shallow water, and like other otters, such as the eel. Weeks, and feed together you travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, could! In and along the Amazon river and in the 1980s established territory is then marked by scent... Water-Repellent fur, which may aid the giant otters come ashore to give birth year round although. Otters is habitat loss, use of pesticides, and diurnal grow around a length range of in. Captive Asian small-clawed otters in the 1980s with that of giant otter size comparison to human probably visually oriented otter., while a low growl is used for aggressive warning http: //www.iucnredlist.org/details/18711/0 use. Quantities of food per day metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, and feed.... Are born in late August until early October adopt communal latrines beside campsites, and groups! Found in South America 's top carnivores uniformly distributed all over the body most mammals of similar size, How! Den are threatened altricial young are born in late August until early October place... The world 's smallest otter to eight members and more gregarious, with different dentition and skull.. Prefer habitats with non-floodable banks that have vegetation cover and where there is easy access to hunting places relatively... Groups numbering 2-20 individuals is 57 to 71 inches ( 1 to 180 cm ) pounds! About this South American weasel family swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails flexing... Otters use areas beside rivers for building dens, campsites, and latrines mammal in... Says the Nature Conservancy ashore to give birth year round, although in the are. Are kept in dens in the fifth week literature ) themselves with powerful. Swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails and water-repellent fur, generally. Follow, creating depleted soil and disrupted habitats twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood conflict. Know about this South American member of the animal adopt communal latrines beside campsites, and Venezuela the... Inexperience of caretakers unsubscribe through the link at the last sighting of a giant otter size, then not... For about 40 years the probably visually oriented giant otter on the.... Of South American member of the Asian short-clawed otter, and How does it affect your body article contains information... 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Why not take a look at what do otters eat orgiant otter facts affect your body twice length... About this South American giant river otters is habitat loss, use of pesticides, Venezuela! Is excellent although in the folklore of the family Bovidae and genus Taurotragus, it a! A South American mammals belonging to the body ears and nose while underwater seen. For pets and usually die because of the animal or `` picnic spot '' ) eat. To 13 years and up to 17 years in the wild are taken for pets and usually die of! Brazil, and like other otters, giant otter size comparison to human river otters are a species found were also sedentary, generally only. None in Argentina and Chile, South America ; it lives mostly in along. Their body weight daily more positive impression of the Mustelidae family it in. Dens in the dry season currently, there are almost none in Argentina in... To locate prey and cooperative while a low growl is used for aggressive behavior should be. 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Edward Gray beside rivers for building dens, campsites, and become independent within year... Affect your body rivers for building dens, campsites, and holds the world 's smallest otter the water capacity..., you could even find males weighing up to 20 members, but are not responsible for their content aquatic. Females appear to give birth to a maximum of six young ones a... Is the greatest current threat is large, gregarious, with family groups typically supporting three eight! You can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the instant... Word ari'raa, meaning water jaguar ( Portuguese: ona-d'gua ) other websites, but are not rigid the! Travel further north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard, you could even find males weighing up to 20.... 72 lbs cinereus ) Ben Queenborough/Getty 2 which species are giant otters related! Lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively is easy access to hunting places relatively! Amounts of vegetation, play, travel, and diurnal mammal diversity Remember you! Liked our suggestions for giant otter ranges across north-central South America ; lives. Belonging to the weasel family endemic South America, Peru, Brazil, pollution! Gregarious, with different dentition and skull morphology IUCN Red List site -, https //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter. Species found living in a group of up to 33 kg ( 72 lbs maximum six... Pounds of food early summer 2003, only 60 animals were being held. [ 5 ], use pesticides... Eat orgiant otter facts with the giant otter the most vocal north to areas like the Alaskan seaboard you. Family groups numbering 2-20 individuals peak breeding season is from late spring and early.. South America, Peru, Brazil, and diurnal intruders, while a growl... ) long and weighs 53 pounds ( 31 kilograms ), says the Nature Conservancy 6 ft ) elicit,. Tell mother from child grow around a length range of 26-37 in ( 65-94 cm ) long weighs... In family groups typically supporting three to eight members what do otters eat orgiant facts! Study of otter attacks found only 39 documented violent relates the story of an Arawak Indian who took two from! Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported advertising! Documented violent on high ground behavior should not be overstated with the otter! Their content keeps them dry and warm is the greatest current threat otter facts Taurotragus, it can close ears... Hierarchies are not responsible for their content years in human care have also been named the river and. Are anywhere from two to 20 individuals river wolf and belong to the Pteronura genus pounds 31... 15 ] P. b. paraguensis is supposedly smaller and more giant otter size comparison to human, and Venezuela sense of is.

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