These mammals are very agile and feed on small crabs, frogs, and worms. [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. In captivity, this may increase to 17, with an unconfirmed record of 19. [65] While the two species are sympatric (with overlapping ranges) during certain seasons, there appeared to be no serious conflict. They take a nap at mid-day during really warm weather. [13] P. b. paraguensis is supposedly smaller and more gregarious, with different dentition and skull morphology. The IUCN listed the giant otter as "endangered" in 1999; it had been considered "vulnerable" under all previous listings from 1982 when sufficient data had first become available. Once they locate their prey, the giant river otters proceed to capture and consume them. "Giant otter" translates literally as nutria gigante and lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows, known as 'holts'. Fossils of a giant river otter dating back 3.5 Mya have been found in the US Midwest, however fossils of the modern river otter did not appear in North America until about 1.9 Mya. Giant Otter – This species is found throughout the Amazon River basin in South America. [38] 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. Years ago, they lived in tropical forests and wetlands, but the presence of human beings has drastically changed this situation. 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. The hearing of this species is intense and its sense of smell is excellent. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Physical Description. These otters do have sharp teeth and if you're keeping otters you should be aware these wild animals can become aggressive if stressed. This is the smallest otter species being only about 11 lbs. They are perfectly adapted to their watery environment, with large, webbed feet and stout tails to guide them through submerged vegetation, and ears and noses that close when they dive in search of prey. Sea otters are found in two areas: The Pacific coasts of Russia and Alaska, and along the central California coast. [7] The earliest known fossil of Lontra canadensis , found in the US Midwest, is from the … Giant Otter This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. [82] 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. [80], Throughout its range, the giant otter interacts with indigenous groups, who often practice traditional hunting and fishing. Giant otters in the wild can eat caiman, piranhas, and anacondas. They also enjoy the eggs of larger creatures. [57] The spectacled caiman is another potential competitor, but Duplaix found no conflict with the species in Suriname. 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. [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. 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. Other countries have taken a lead in designating protected areas in South America. They all eat fish, clams, lobsters and small animals occurring along the shore. [4] They are weaned by nine months and begin hunting successfully soon after. 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. The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America. [6] All three names are in use in South America, with a number of regional variations. [15], 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. Giant otters are found throughout almost all of South America. Hunting in shallow water has also been found to be more rewarding, with water depth less than 0.6 metres (2.0 ft) having the highest success rate. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. Fencing needs to extend in-ground because they can also dig out. Weights are between 26 and 32 kg (57 and 71 lb) for males and 22 and 26 kg (49 and 57 lb) for females. They give birth within these dens during the dry season. Giant otters in the wild live 10 to 13 years. Trees surround them in the tropical forest, providing shade in the heat of the midday sun. [23][29], The species possesses 2n = 38 chromosomes.[30]. The length of her body without a tail reaches 150 cm, the tail in length is 70 … This article was originally published March 11, 2020. Otters are found on every single continent in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. Group sizes can vary but have been recorded of … [12], Adult giant otters living in family groups have no known serious natural predators, however there are some accounts of black caimans in Peru and yacare caimans in the Pantanal preying on giant otters. All otters live singly, except for a short period, when the female is raising young. Please do not trap live otters and then drown them, as it is considered illegal in many states and is a painful way for any animal to die, which can last anywhere up to eight minutes. Animal may eat six to nine pounds of food per day to keep them dry and,! Cycle is 21 days, with a … giant otters have webbed legs and a long tail adapted swimming! 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