Like most other otter species, giant otters come ashore to give birth. In Peru, the giant river otter is classified as Endangered by the decree, DS 004-2014-MINAGRI. The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. [66] Giant otters may adopt preferred locations perennially, often on high ground. 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. Meanwhile, in the comparison between giant river otter vs sea otter, sea otters are twice or thrice bigger than giant otters. 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 . A cub opens its eyes in the fourth week and starts walking in the fifth week. Illegal killing still occurs, often at the hands of fishermen, who see Giant otters as competition for fish. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. [34] Duplaix identified nine distinct sounds, with further subdivisions possible, depending on context. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. The established territory is then marked by the scent from the animals' anal glands. The giant otter's weight is more than all the other otters in the world. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. It takes cubs a little while to get their sea legs, so to speak: They are born in dens underground and learn to swim at about two months. The habitat of the giant river otters is wetlands like lakes, creeks, marshes, and swamps. Mating takes place in water, and like other otters, giant otters come ashore to give birth. As they grow older and the giant otter size gets larger it becomes harder to . [20], Phylogenetic analysis by Koepfli and Wayne in 1998 found the giant otter has the highest divergence sequences within the otter subfamily, forming a distinct clade that split away 10 to 14million years ago. You can see a newborn member of the next generation looking impossibly cute here on ZooBorns. Northern sea otters can measure up to 5 feet (1.5 m). [47], Suriname still has significant forest cover and an extensive system of protected areas, much of which protects the giant otter. Researchers emphasize that even between groups, conflict avoidance is generally adopted. Giant Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18711/0. [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. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. Credits Image: Chelsea Turner/MIT They can also weigh up to 75 pounds. tree-bark mulch and soft pebble-free sand/soil). The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? A family has a home range of 12 sq. Marine Otter (Lontra felina) - Native to west coast of South America. Would they make a good pet? 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). [61] In some cases, supposed cooperative hunting may be incidental, a result of group members fishing individually in close proximity; truly coordinated hunting may only occur where the prey cannot be taken by a single giant otter, such as with small anacondas and juvenile black caiman. It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. Unauthorized use is prohibited. [58] The giant otter seems to be opportunistic, taking whatever species are most locally abundant. [16] Biologist Nicole Duplaix calls the division of "doubtful value". 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. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The average life span of giant otters is between 10-13 years in the wild. [2] In the former, investigation has shown thinly distributed population remnants. One full-year study of giant otter scats in Amazonian Brazil found fish present in all fecal samples. The gestation period is 65-70 days, and female giant otters give birth to a maximum of six cubs at once, although it's most commonly just one or two. Size Code. Giant otters served as Yaku runa's canoes. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. 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. Giant Otter Physical Description Size: These otters can attain a length of up to 6 ft (1.8 m). These South American weasel family species have potent tails and water-repellent fur, which keeps them dry and warm. These huge members of the weasel family swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails and flexing their long bodies. 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. On the Bermejo, none have been seen for more than a century. It is difficult to differentiate between giant male and female species as they have almost similar heads and body shapes. [26] The nose (or rhinarium) is completely covered in fur, with only the two slit-like nostrils visible. 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. These animals are most active from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm. Front paws, rear flippers All feet similar size Side view Feet Sea Otters River Otters SEATTLE AQUARIUM. . 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. Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! A sea otter's survival depends on their ability to catch and eat prey. This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. 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. [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. Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) - Native to Argentina and Chile, South America. [35] An analysis published in 2014 cataloged 22 distinct types of vocalization in adults and 11 in neonates. large relative neocortex size (compared to other carnivores . All otters produce vocalizations, but by frequency and volume, the giant otter may be the most vocal. 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. Other water habitats include freshwater springs and permanent freshwater lakes. And yet, according to the WWF, the river otter's size and speed allows it to compete for fish (piranha is part of its diet) with the likes of jaguars and black caimans. 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. [40] One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary. See what's so cool about these six-foot-long freshwater denizens. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a mustelid endemic to South America, where it is found in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paran-Paraguay basins (Carter and Rosas 1997).The main threats to giant otters in Colombia and throughout most of their range include loss of habitat (Weber-Rosas and De-Mattos 2003), hunting, and competition from human fisheries, illegal trade of pelts and pups, and . Two river dolphins, the tucuxi and boto, might potentially compete with the giant otter, but different spatial use and dietary preferences suggest minimal overlap. Compared with the diversity of size and form in other extant marine mammals, otters are relatively small and generally similar in overall body plan. The Rainbow Bridge comforts many pet parents. [72] Its smaller prey, different denning habits, and different preferred water types also reduce interaction.[62]. The otters with chocolate brown dense fur, a well-muscled tail, and white markings on the underside of the throat (which looks like a bib), and a relatively big body are the traits that help in identifying the giant otter. [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. It is the longest member of the . 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 forests during the rainy season. 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. The species hasn't been seen in the country for about 40 years. 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. Curators are realizing that returning looted artifacts isnt closing museumsits opening new doors. [2] Typically, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks. The giant otter's weight is more than all the other otters in the world. The Goliath birdeater ( Theraphosa blondi) is the world's largest spider by mass, weighing in around 6.2 oz (175 g). [55], The longest documented giant otter lifespan in the wild is eight years. These findings indicate that where extractive activities are more common, humans are more likely to be perceived as a risk to giant otters. They also have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. The head-body-tail length of an adult giant otter can be up to six feet. Planet Zoo currently contains 153 different species of animals that can be adopted and cared for by players. [25] The fur is extremely dense, so much so that water cannot penetrate to the skin. )[77] The animal sometimes drowns in nets set across rivers and machete attacks by fishermen have been noted, according to Duplaix, but "tolerance is the rule" in Suriname. Life Expectancy It is estimated the life expectancy is between 10 and 13 years in the wild. . [18] Carter and Rosas found average areas a third this size. How to identify the giant river otter? New AI may pass the famed Turing test. They adapt very well to the prey available in the environment they live in. Diet The Giant otter is clearly distinguished from different otters by morphological and behavioral traits. Prey species found were also sedentary, generally swimming only short distances, which may aid the giant otter in predation. All rights reserved. Fur/hair/coat: Extremely soft, chocolate brown fur that is uniformly distributed all over the body. Giant river otter size is double the size of the world's smallest otter, the Asian small-clawed otter. This species was excessively hunted up until the late 1970s for its valuable fur. By the 14th week, the young giant otters can swim confidently. They groom each other, rest, and may even hunt together. [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. An unarmed, athletic human (untrained and unprepared) vs a 70 lb giant river otter. [15] P. b. paraguensis is supposedly smaller and more gregarious, with different dentition and skull morphology. Males tend to be larger than female otters. 2. [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. Two of them were gigantic: Sivaonyx hendeyi was an otter the size of a wolf (around 40 kg) and Plesiogulo aff . Weights vary between 40 and 70 pounds. John Mitchell / Getty Images. In captivity, this may increase to 17, with an unconfirmed record of 19. 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