All three names ar… Status: CITES – Appendix I; IUCN Red List. The giant otter is the longest of all the otter species, with a length of 6 ft (1.8m), including the tail, and a weight of 76 lbs (34 kg). The giant otter is clearly distinguished from other otters by morphological and behavioral characteristics. Sea otters eat about 25% to 30% of their weight. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. Diet: Giant otters mainly eat fish (piscivores) but frogs, snakes, crabs and crayfish may also be eaten, with each eating six to nine pounds (three to four kilos) daily. They are powerful and graceful swimmers, spending most of their time in the water. Males can weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg); females top weight is around 65 pounds (29.5 kg). The Giant Otter features a very long body, similar to that of a weasel. Gestation lasts 65-70 days and the altricial young are born in late August until early October. This otter is the largest member of the family Mustelidae, clearly distinguished from other South American otter species by morphological and behavioural characteristics. Giant Otter Facts. For that reason they are often mistaken for another type of animal. At 9-10 months they can hunt independently and look just like their parents. These otters are able to swim 330 feet (100 meters) in less than 30 seconds. Social activities include hunting, grooming, resting and communicating. Pteronura brasiliensis Tail is 18-26 inches long. Senses: Giant otters have very good vision. Behavior: Giant otters are very social animals. The Giant Otter can reach up to 6 ft (1.8 m) in length, and weigh 76 lb (34 kg) in weight. They take a nap at mid-day during really warm weather. Highly sensitive, long vibraissae (whiskers) protrude from the muzzle and forehead, aiding in the underwater search for prey. The family members clear an area beside a stream for their living quarters, of up to 50 sq meters, usually near feeding sites. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. This type of species has short fur of all otter species. Giant otters produce 9 different vocalizations and are very loud. Included in AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP). They will seek a peaceful place (or "picnic spot") to eat their prey. Communication: A variety of vocalizations are used to communicate among Giant otters. Size: The largest of the 13 otter species, males can reach nearly six feet (1.8 m) in length while females measure 4.5 feet (1.4 m). Year-round, peak in late spring-early summer, 2. The Sea Otters, which are the heaviest Otter species in the world, weigh somewhere around 20 kgs, which is the closest Otters have ever come to Beavers in weight. 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. This species was excessively hunted up until the late 1970s for its valuable fur. If intruders invade the family's territory, the parents will defend it and their family members. Giant otters have webbed legs and a long tail adapted for swimming. They are very sociable and live in families of 3–10 individuals that hunt together. Overall, currently Giant otters are classified as Endangered (EN) and theirs numbers today are decreasing. Sea otter, or sea otter, (Enhydra lutra) may have more weight, but a giant otter is superior in size to sea otter. Unlike other … It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Giant Otters are the largest mustelid and they are similar to a very large river otter. They have strong claws and large webbed feet. HABITAT: Rainforest rivers and creeks. km. This program cooperatively manages specific, and typically threatened or endangered populations. This species is the largest among all the species of otters in the world, (sea otters , with their more compact body, can weigh considerably more).The males reach a total length of 1.5 to 1.8 m and a weight between 26 and 32 kg.As for females they usually measure 1.5 to 1.7 m in length and can weigh between 22 and 26 kg. Giant Otter This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. … An average giant otter will weigh between 22 and 32kg (49-71lbs). They catch prey with their teeth. Giant river otters are very sociable and live in families of between 3 – 10 individuals that hunt together. 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. ... “My weight … First, sea otters are two to three times the size of river otters — and, when at the water’s surface, they float on their backs, while river otters swim belly down like most animals. The giant otter is the longest species in the mustelid family. 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. WEIGHT: 51-71 pounds. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. In addition to its common name, giant otter, P. brasiliensis has also been called the Guiana flat-tailed otter, winged-tailed otter, and margin-tailed otter. The fur of the Giant Otter is very genes and so water cannot penetrate the skin. Giant Otters are the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), can easily reach 6 feet in length and weigh over 30 kg. The Giant otter was discovered by Gmelin in 1788. The muzzle and chest may be blotched with a pale coloring of varying degrees, sometimes forming a ‘bib’ effect. River otters and giant otters hunt by using their vibrissae to detect movements of prey in the water. Some sea otters might get heavier. Males can weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg); females top weight is around 65 pounds (29.5 kg). Estimates have been provided for the following countries: 60 animals in Bolivia in the northwest in the Madre de Dios-Beni sub-basin; 50 individuals in 118,031 km² of the Pantanal (Paraguay river sub-basin), and 600 animals in the in 186,460 km² of the northeast (Itenez sub-basin), totaling an estimated 700 individuals; less than 250 animals in Ecuador; at least 200 animals in French Guiana; and 24-32 animals in Paraguay. Giant river otters are perfectly equipped for an aquatic lifestyle with webbed feet, a long powerful tail, and a long streamlined body. They have a body length between 1 and 1.4 m (3.25 - 4.5 ft), a tail length between 45 and 65 cms (18 - 26 inches) and they weigh between 22 and 32 Kgs (49 - 71 lbs). The females are smaller and weigh only 57-60 lbs (26-27 kg). They come in many sizes. LENGTH. Despite maintaining separate territories, Giant otters are highly social mammals. Currently, there are almost none in Argentina and Uruguay, and they are very rare in Paraguay. River otters eat 15% to 20% of their total body weight each day. Although some breeding occurs throughout the year, the peak of the breeding season is from late spring to early summer. The giant otter has a great sense of smell, keen eyesight, and small ears. Giant Otter Skull Replica measures 6.5 in. Their ears are small and round and like their nostrils, can be closed when underwater. Social animals: Giant Otters live in extended family groups that can number from three to even twenty individuals. WEIGHT. The IUCN Red List has no current estimate for the total Giant otter population. The total length of the body is 3-4.5 feet and its tail alone is 1-3.5 feet long. Giant river otters can eat piranhas. Giant otter has 3.25 - 4.5 feet in length and weights between 49-71 pounds. Giant Otter Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. A family has a home range of 12 sq. This species is diurnal and lives together in family groups numbering 5-8 individuals. A giant otter will consume roughly 3kg (7lb) – about 10% – of its body weight per day. Giant Otters’ Main Characteristics. They can open their eyes after 1 month and start to regularly follow their parents out of the den. Giant otters have large, powerful tails which are paddle-shaped. Reproduction: Giant otters are monogamous with pairs staying together for life. The average weight of a Beaver is about 22 kgs, while Otters usually weigh between 7-11 kgs. It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. Many people find this particular Otter to be different in size and shape from others. Nearly hunted to extinction, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and lives in large, social family groups that sleep, play and hunt together. Females give birth to as many as five in each litter. Their den is made by burrowing into banks or under fallen logs, They live and hunt in family groups (holts) of between four to ten members, earning them their local names of “Lobos del Rio” and “River wolves.” Each holt is led by a dominant female and each has a territory that does not overlap with other groups. There are estimates for the populations of a few areas: 2,000-5,000 individuals in the Brazilian Pantanal; 180-400 individuals in Madre de Dios, southeastern Peru; 31 individuals in Cantao State Park, Brazil; 75 individuals in Amana, Brazil; at least 130 individuals in Balbina Lake, Brazil; 54 individuals in Araguaia, above Bananal Island; 32 individuals in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador; and at least 35 individuals in Rewa Head, Guyana. This species is monogamous, and pairs stay together for life. The females are smaller and weigh only 57–60 lb (26–27 kg). Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. Their forefeet are shorter than their hindfeet; each foot has five toes with sharp non-retractile claws and webbing that extends to the tips of the toes. ORIGIN: South America. Giant otters in the wild can eat caiman, piranhas, and anacondas. 5. of food daily. Interesting Giant otter Facts: Giant otters have dense, velvety and thick brown fur which is water repellent (prevents water from reaching the skin). The average weight of an adult is 50-75 pounds with the male being the larger than the female. Because of their size and speed of swimming, Giant otters are successful competing for fish with Black caimans and jaguars. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. They are seen within the Amazon, Orinoco and La Plata River systems and are found in slow-moving streams and rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes, as well as flooded forest during the rainy season. Length: Up to 6 ft. The pattern of blotches is unique to each individual and has been used by researchers to identify individual animals. Habitat/range: Found in oxbow lakes and large slow moving rivers, including the Amazon, La Plate and Orinoco Rivers in north-central South America. They can reach lengths up to 6 feet long and weigh 75 pounds! Giant otter fur is the shortest of all the otter species. BODY: The feet of the Giant Otter are specially adapted for an amphibious lifestyle. A family consists of a mated pair and their offspring of several generation. Young are weaned at the age of 3-4 months. Made in USA. In Spanish, river wolf (Spanish: [lobo de río] error: {{lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) and water dog (Spanish: [perro de agua] error: {{lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) are used occasionally, though the latter has many other meanings) and may have been more common in the reports of explorers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. A large male may consume as much as 11 kg (25 lb.) The giant otter is known to hunt alone, in pairs and in groups. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is an endangered semi-aquatic carnivore of South America. These hand-reared giant otters were killed by people (3 known, 2 presumed) or other giant otters (5), including one male otter that remained at Karanambu for several years. One to five latrines for communal use are placed along the perimeter of the site. The breeding system of territorial groups, including only a single breeding female with non … The largest otter is the giant otter. Lobo de Rio (the River wolf), Los Lobos del Rio (Wolves of the River), Ariranha. Endangered. They have an inner coat which is surrounded by guard hairs that keep the water off their actual coat. This distinction goes to the sea otter. In terms of body weight as well, Otters are much lighter than the Beavers. Many people don’t know the difference between sea otters and river otters — but, with a little info, you’ll be able to tell right away. Their muzzle is blunt and sloping; neck is muscular and long. Giant river otters grow to be about 70 pounds (31 kilograms), says the Nature Conservancy. The established territory is then marked by scent from the animals' anal glands. We present findings on the demography of a population inhabiting the floodplain of Manu National Park, south-eastern Peru, arising from 14 annual dry season censuses over a 16 year period. Some pups in the wild are taken for pets, and usually die because of the inexperience of caretakers. The tail is well-muscled and can be as long as 28 inches. 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 Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmermann, 1780) is endemic to South America, distributed throughout the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River basins and numerous localities in the Guyanas. Methods of Collecting Food. Illegal killing still occurs, often at the hands of fishermen, who see Giant otters as competition for fish. They also have very sensitive whiskers, or vibrissae, that can detect changes in water pressure and help when discovering prey in the area. The giant otter is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels and ferrets. Pteronura brasiliensis moves through the water using different body parts according to its swimming speed. Some sea otters might get heavier. Giant otters are the largest otters on the planet and can swim at speeds up to 9 miles per hour. This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. Males and females do not vary in size, which is usually between 150 and 180 cm long, but they do vary in weight: while males weigh between 26 and 32 kg, females, somewhat lighter, range between 22 and 26 kg. Gestation lasts 65 to 70 days. 22-32 kg. They are often referred to as the river wolf and are the largest otters in the world. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7 m (4.9 and 5.6 ft) in length from head to tail and females between 1 and 1.5 m (3.3 and 4.9 ft). Habitat fragmentation and loss, as well as pollution are the current major threats to the Giant otter, as the areas where they live are degraded and destroyed by logging, mining and damming. Reproductive maturity is reached when they are 2 years old. They also use urine and feces to mark their territory. The Giant Otter is the largest otter. Reproductive behavior has largely been documented by observations of captive animals. Giant Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18711/0. size: 145-180 cm (body 96-123 cm; tail 45-65 cm) weight: 24-34 kg The largest extant otter species in the world is the giant otter from South America. Their coat is a dark brown color with creamy white markings on their chest. These animals are most active from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm. 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. Expert fishers: Giant Otters feast on several species of Amazonian catfish and Characins. Giant otters are strictly carnivorous and eat fish, crabs, small anacondas and small caimans. 1-1.7 m. 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 male giant otter is between 4.9 and 5.6 feet long from head to tail and weighs 57-71 pounds while the female is between 3.3 and 4.9 feet and weighs 49-57 pounds. Its total length, including the tail, can reach 2.7 m. Outwardly, it resembles a sea otter rather than a river otter. Males of Giant Otter weigh 26 to 32 kg and females 22 and 26 kg. In fact, they eat around three kilograms of their body weight every single day! The giant river otter is the longest member of the Mustelidae or weasel family. As its name implies, the giant otter is the largest species of otters. Behavior: Giant otters are very social animals. The giant otter has a handful of other names. Giant Otter is usually chocolate brown but Giant Otter is reddish or jaundiced color and appears almost black when wet. Size: The largest of the 13 otter species, males can reach nearly six feet (1.8 m) in length while females measure 4.5 feet (1.4 m). This species does not store food. Since these otter hunt in packs, various non-vocal cues are used during the hunt or when defending their territory. HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 70–75 lbs. This fur is densely packed so that no water can penetrate through to the skin. Description: Giant otters have a gray or brown, dense (and waterproof) coat, which appears velvety when dry. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. Sexual maturity is attained at approximately two years of age. It prefers to hunt in shallow water, using its keen vision to locate the prey which can be attacked either from above or below. Sizeable burrows are then built under fallen logs. It is also known as the Guiana flat-tailed otter, margin-tailed otter and winged-tailed otter. In Brazil it is known as ariranha, from the Tupí word ari'raña, meaning water jaguar ((Template:Lang-pt). Concern over this endangered species has since generated a body of research. 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