They will seek a peaceful place (or "picnic spot") to eat their prey. 3. Young otters remain in the den for a month but grow up quickly. The average weight of a giant male otter is 57-75 lb (26-34 kg), whereas a female weighs 49-57 lb (22-26 kg). 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). If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. The giant otter shows a variety of adaptations suitable to an amphibious lifestyle, including exceptionally dense fur, a wing-like tail, and webbed feet. . Other names: huallaca, chingungo, sea cat. Weights vary between 40 and 70 pounds. Hatzegopteryx, compared to a full-grown human being. Giant otters are diurnal highly social animals; they live together in family groups numbering 2-20 individuals. 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. It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. year-round, peak in late spring-early summer. 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. Weights vary between 40 and 70 pounds. Reproductive behavior has largely been documented by observations of captive animals. This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. All rights reserved. Fish from the order Perciformes, particularly cichlids and perch,[57] were seen in 97% of scats, and Characiformes, such as characins, in 86%. Quick hah barks or explosive snorts suggest immediate interest and possible danger. Group members share roles, structured around the dominant breeding pair. [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. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Humans are the biggest threat to sea otter populations. [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. obesity). Limits on the number of tourists at any one time, fishing prohibitions, and a minimum safe distance of 50 metres (164ft) are proposed to offer further protection. After this period, the cubs leave the parent groups and start living independently and building their own territory. 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. It is the longest member of the . 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. The giant otter's average length is 57-71 in (145-180 cm) with an average weight of 53 lb (24 kg). Duplaix documented interaction with the Neotropical otter. A page allowing the comparison of up to six figures is now available. Articles about travel, movies, people, animals and birds, pet care, and parenting are a few of the topics written by her. [66] Giant otters may adopt preferred locations perennially, often on high ground. The length of male Alaska otters is about 58 in (148 cm), and average weight ranges from 60-85 lb (27-39 kg); whereas female Alaska sea otters measure 55 in (140 cm) and weight range from 35-60 lb (16-27 kg). The species was so thoroughly decimated, the number dropped to just 12 in 1971. North American river otters can get up to around 30 pounds (14 kilograms), though the endangered giant otter found in South America . 7. Planet Zoo currently contains 153 different species of animals that can be adopted and cared for by players. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. The fight is to the death. Other water habitats include freshwater springs and permanent freshwater lakes. [40] One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary. Giant otters are the largest of any otter in the world growing up to 1.8m. Fur/hair/coat: Extremely soft, chocolate brown fur that is uniformly distributed all over the body. The average mass of an adult human is 54-64 kg (120-140 lbs) for females and 76-83 kg (168-183 lbs) for males. While revealing of the affection held for the animals, the seizure was a profound blow to the breeding pair, which went on to lose their territory to competitors. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. They can't kill humans though but can cause injuries when they're protecting their babies. The hunting decimated their populations. [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. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? How to identify the giant river otter? Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. [7] All four names are in use in South America, with a number of regional variations. Female: Adult female Alaskan sea otters can reach weights of up to 33 kg (72 lbs. Other species that prey upon similar food resources include the caimans and large fish that are themselves piscivores. The established territory is then marked by the scent from the animals' anal glands. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6ft). What does cancer smell like? That's more than twice as long as a North American river otterarguably with double the coolness. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. Giant otters are able to swim 330 feet (100 meters) in less than 30 seconds. [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. Within groups, otters are extremely peaceful and cooperative. [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. Don't mix the two systems, you'll get a wrong result. [72] Its smaller prey, different denning habits, and different preferred water types also reduce interaction.[62]. Two species of otters, neotropical otters, and giant otters inhabit South American forests. 2017); domestic dogs with human partners (Ostoji and Clayton 2014 . 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. [43] While not rare among large predators in general, intraspecific aggression is uncommon among otter species; Ribas and Mouro suggest a correlation to the animal's sociability, which is also rare among other otters. Literally by Mongabay.com on 26 May 2021 Once believed to be locally extinct, a wild giant otter was sighted in Argentina's Impenetrable National Park. The giant river otter is giant, measuring in at 1.5-1.8 m and weighing in at 22-32 kg! 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. While resting, they wind up in kelp (algae seaweeds) to remain on the water surface. Can you have an otter as a pet? Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. The giant otter subsists almost exclusively on a diet of fish, particularly characins and catfish, but may also eat crabs, turtles, snakes and small caimans. A sea otter has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, and must consume large quantities of food. Northern sea otters can measure up to 5 feet (1.5 m). Adult males weigh up to 70 pounds and females are a little smaller. It's also known as the "river wolf.". We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. [88] A Ticuna legend has it that the giant otter exchanged places with the jaguar: the story says jaguar formerly lived in the water and the giant otter came to the land only to eat. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. [47], Suriname still has significant forest cover and an extensive system of protected areas, much of which protects the giant otter. Unlike most marine mammals, sea otters lack a thick layer of blubber to insulate them from the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean. There are 13 species of otters, and the sea otter and giant otter live in starkly different environments -- the giant otter in a warm freshwater environment and the sea otter in the. Using data on the rate of kelp growth and its density at sites with and without otters, they found that the presence of sea otters across rocky reef habitat in the study area, covering 51,551 . Giant otters are strictly carnivorous (piscivorous) and mainly fish such as cichlids, perch, characins (such as piranha), and catfish. 4. Why wetlands are so critical for life on Earth, Rest in compost? It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. [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. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? Diet Whistles may be used as advance warning of nonhostile intent between groups, although evidence is limited. [2] Given local extinctions, the species' range has become discontinuous. [25][31], The species possesses 2n= 38 chromosomes.[32]. The threat has been exacerbated by the otters' relative fearlessness and tendency to approach human beings. [48], Mothers give birth to furred and blind cubs in an underground den near the river shore and fishing sites. The Giant Otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Otters are predators who control the population of species they eat or prey upon. These otters were sympatric at Hagerman, and both were likely piscivorous (fish-eaters) but would have utilized different-sized prey . They give birth within these dens during the dry season. Some sea otters might get heavier. In Canto State Park, otters dig their reproductive dens on the shores of oxbow lakes starting around July, when waters are already quite low. Note that this is an XHTML+SVG page. They den by burrowing into banks or under fallen logs, and establish a home territory that they will aggressively defend. If you like the giant otter facts, refer to Kidadl's other content. A typical adult Giant Otter weighs between 24 and 32 kg (53 and 71 lb). Giant otters are very social animals, according to the Animal Diversity Web. Male giant otters are slightly longer than females. The giant otter's highly sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) allow the animal to track changes in water pressure and currents, which aids in detecting prey. . 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