The giant otters give birth to a maximum of six young ones at a time. South America is famous for its islands and abundant natural resources, forests, and waterfalls. [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. They have a muscular tail that helps in swimming and creamy white hair underside of the throat. It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. 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. Why wetlands are so critical for life on Earth, Rest in compost? A wavering scream may be used in bluff charges against intruders, while a low growl is used for aggressive warning. Jaguars and crocodiles might prey on young otters. The fact that it is exclusively active during the day further suggests its eyesight should be strong, to aid in hunting and predator avoidance. [60], The species can hunt singly, in pairs, and in groups, relying on sharp eyesight to locate prey. [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. It is difficult to differentiate between giant male and female species as they have almost similar heads and body shapes. Other otters, such as Asian small-clawed otter, have a length range of 26-37 in (65-94 cm). At 9-10 months they can hunt independently and look just like their parents. The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) of Asia may be its closest extant relative; similar behaviour, vocalizations, and skull morphology have been noted. A family has a home range of 12 sq. Otters are predators who control the population of species they eat or prey upon. Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. The giant otter species are the largest otters in the world. [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. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. [22][23] Early reports of skins and living animals suggested exceptionally large males of up to 2.4m (7ft 10+12in); intensive hunting likely reduced the occurrence of such massive specimens. Group hierarchies are not rigid and the animals easily share roles. Males tend to be larger than female otters. Front paws, rear flippers All feet similar size Side view Feet Sea Otters River Otters SEATTLE AQUARIUM. It is a species found living in a group of up to 20 individuals. Hums and coos are more reassuring within the group. Physical Features and Characteristics: Males average between five and six feet long and weigh 55 to 70 pounds, while females are just a few inches and pounds smaller. There are 13 species of river otters around the world. 7. Human activities such as fishing can pose a risk to giant otters. A sea otter has a metabolic rate much higher than most mammals of similar size, and must consume large quantities of food. [55], The longest documented giant otter lifespan in the wild is eight years. Who wrote it? It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. . And are otters predators? The park harbors many endangered plants and animals, including the giant otter, and holds the world record for mammal diversity. 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. The giant otter shows a variety of adaptations suitable to an amphibious lifestyle, including exceptionally dense fur, a wing-like tail, and webbed feet. The giant otter has the shortest fur of all otter species; it is typically chocolate brown, but may be reddish or fawn, and appears nearly black when wet. Though giant otters live both on land and in water, they burrow dens on the banks of rivers or places near the water and are highly territorial. Credit: Adi Barocas. Logging, hunting, and pup seizure may have led groups to be far more wary of human activity. A sea otter's survival depends on their ability to catch and eat prey. It's easy to forget just how big a blue whale is compared to a human until you learn that just the tail of a blue whale is 25 feet wide - nearly 5 times the height of an average human! The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Their fur is extremely soft and is a chocolate brown except for a pattern of large creamy white patches under their long neck, thought to be unique for each individual otter. Among the Achuar people, they are known as wankanim,[8] among the Sanum as hadami[9][10] and among the Makushi as turara. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. A page allowing the comparison of up to six figures is now available. The adult wolverine is about the size of a medium dog, with a length usually ranging from 65-107 cm (26-42 in), a tail of 17-26 cm (6.7-10.2 in), and a weight of 5.5-25 kg (12-55 . Giant otters rarely attack humans unless they feel their cubs and den are threatened. 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. Check below the weight and length of the other otters around the world. It's also known as the "river wolf.". For example, stress to the parents during cub-rearing due to inappropriate enclosure conditions has been the primary reason for cub neglect, abuse and infanticide. All rights reserved, International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. One report found between three and eight campsites, clustered around feeding areas. [44][45] Within groups, the animals are extremely peaceful and cooperative. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? [74][81], In 2006, most of this species lived in the Brazilian Amazon and its bordering areas. 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 Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. This page is a comprehensive list of every adoptable animal featured in Planet Zoo. Prey chase is rapid and tumultuous, with lunges and twists through the shallows and few missed targets. Please be respectful of copyright. [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. They consume about 10% of their body weight daily. Bats and agaves make tequila possibleand theyre both at risk, California is having an epic 'supershroom' season, Jimmy Carter on the greatest challenges of the 21st century, This ancient Greek warship ruled the Mediterranean, 3 ways Jimmy Carter changed the world for the better, The meaning of the cross of ashes on Ash Wednesday, The mystery of London's elusive Roman amphitheater, This disease often goes under-diagnosedunless youre white, The groundbreaking promise of cellular housekeeping. They found that giant otters exposed to such activities were more likely to avoid the presence of humans. Post navigation Previous Post Next Post tree-bark mulch and soft pebble-free sand/soil). There are 1-5 pups in a litter (usually 2-3) and they stay in the family den until they are 2-3 weeks old. The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter. [63] It occurs in freshwater rivers and streams, which generally flood seasonally. A species of the family Bovidae and genus Taurotragus, it was described in 1847 by John Edward Gray. The skull, which is 23cm long and more than 15cm wide, is substantially larger than a modern human's and has ample room, at 1,420ml, for a modern human brain. (50 kg) about twice that of the modern-day South American giant river . One to five latrines for communal use are placed along the perimeter of the site. They chase prey rapidly and tumultuously, with lunges and twists through the shallows and few missed targets. Can you have an otter as a pet? 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. Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) - Native to Argentina and Chile, South America. We found no differences in performance between species. [7] All four names are in use in South America, with a number of regional variations. These animals are most active from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm. [26] The nose (or rhinarium) is completely covered in fur, with only the two slit-like nostrils visible. The Goliath birdeater ( Theraphosa blondi) is the world's largest spider by mass, weighing in around 6.2 oz (175 g). The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. [2] Typically, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks. Male and female otters actively take part in rearing the cub(s). [5] At Tierpark Hagenbeck in Germany, long-term pair bonding and individualized mate selection were seen, with copulation most frequently taking place in water. [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. [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. Other researchers suggest approximately 7 square kilometres (2.7sqmi) 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. It has the best body size of any species within the mustelid family, though the ocean otter could also be heavier. and combined with the giant size . They groom each other, rest, and may even hunt together. [73], The animal faces a variety of critical threats. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. This otter is found in the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata, the three river systems. Its length is twice the length of the Asian short-clawed otter, the world's smallest otter. The otter, Enhydriodon omoensis, is the largest ever found. [86], Throughout its range, the giant otter interacts with indigenous groups, who often practice traditional hunting and fishing. A wavering scream may be used in bluff charges against intruders, while a low growl is used for aggressive warning. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? [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. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. Goliath Birdeater: 12 Inches. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? [67], Research generally takes place in the dry season and an understanding of the species' overall habitat use remains partial. They can also weigh up to 75 pounds. [41] One tentative theory for the development of sociality in mustelids is that locally abundant but unpredictably dispersed prey causes groups to form. 300-1,000 kg. Their social calendars include grooming, hunting, resting, and communicating, which they do using nine different. Less well known than the equally giant Quetzalcoatlus, Hatzegopteryx made its home on Hatzeg Island, which was isolated from the rest of central Europe during the late Cretaceous period.Not only was Hatzegopteryx's skull ten feet long, but this pterosaur may have had a wingspan of a whopping 40 feet (though it probably . Reddit users are going crazy about the giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)an Amazonian giant that can reach up to six feet (1.8 meters) long. Giant otters are diurnal highly social animals; they live together in family groups numbering 2-20 individuals. Pursuit predation is a form of predation in which predators actively give chase to their prey, either solitarily or as a group. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. [25] The fur is extremely dense, so much so that water cannot penetrate to the skin. [87], In Suriname, the giant otter is not a traditional prey species for human hunters, which affords some protection. The giant otter or giant river otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Your privacy is important to us. Otters come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the species. Here are seven facts you otter know about this South American member of the Mustelidae family. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. All rights reserved. They eat fish as their primary diet; their other diet includes crustaceans and snakes. Giant Otter Physical Description Size: These otters can attain a length of up to 6 ft (1.8 m). The giant otters have unique markings in white or cream fur that help in identifying them. Did you know the population of otters is an indicator of the river ecosystem? . Defence against intruding animals appears to be cooperative: while adult males typically lead in aggressive encounters, cases of alpha females guarding groups have been reported. Ever found a number of regional variations of predation in which predators actively give chase to their prey, solitarily! Edward Gray six young ones at a time ' overall habitat use remains partial along riverbanks which predators actively chase!, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks wavering scream may be in... Hums and coos are more reassuring within the mustelid family, though the ocean otter could also be.. Seattle AQUARIUM a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the species 1.8 m ) use in South,. 74 ] [ 81 ], Research generally takes place in the world river ecosystem difficult to between... Did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island groups typically supporting three eight! 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