[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. 1. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. Even when told of the importance of the species to ecosystems and the danger of extinction, interviewees showed little interest in continuing to coexist with the species. Three mustelid species could be found at Langebaanweg five million years ago. The giant otter species are the largest otters in the world. [52] This sensitivity is matched by a strong protectiveness towards the young. Other water habitats include freshwater springs and permanent freshwater lakes. The spider can bite and sometimes delivers a venom comparable to that of a wasp sting. [27] Its velvety feel makes the animal highly sought after by fur traders and has contributed to its decline. Giant otters rarely attack humans unless they feel their cubs and den are threatened. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. These otters were sympatric at Hagerman, and both were likely piscivorous (fish-eaters) but would have utilized different-sized prey . 2nd scenario . Poaching has long been a problem. Lets us know the sizes of different otters and comparison with that of our giant otter. [26] Guard hairs trap water and keep the inner fur dry; the guard hairs are approximately 8millimetres (one-third of an inch) in length, about twice as long as the fur of the inner coat. [46], Giant otters build dens, which are holes dug into riverbanks, usually with multiple entrances and multiple chambers inside. These South American weasel family species have potent tails and water-repellent fur, which keeps them dry and warm. If you like the giant otter facts, refer to Kidadl's other content. Other species that prey upon similar food resources include the caimans and large fish that are themselves piscivores. After nine or ten months, it is difficult to tell mother from child. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft). There are 13 species of river otters around the world. . Researchers emphasize that even between groups, conflict avoidance is generally adopted. Here are seven facts you otter know about this South American member of the Mustelidae family. Hums and coos are more reassuring within the group. These findings indicate that where extractive activities are more common, humans are more likely to be perceived as a risk to giant otters. [7] All four names are in use in South America, with a number of regional variations. Would they make a good pet? They are extremely easy to hunt, being active through the day and highly inquisitive. Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. These animals are most active from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm. All rights reserved. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis) is an endangered semi-aquatic carnivore of South America. Weights are between 26 and 32kg (57 and 71lb) for males and 22 and 26kg (49 and 57lb) for females. km and consists of a mated pair and their offspring of several generations. In Canto State Park, otters dig their reproductive dens on the shores of oxbow lakes starting around July, when waters are already quite low. 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. 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. In comparison, humans can typically swim at a relatively slow pace of 5-6 km/h (3-4 mph). In captivity, that number increases slightly to the late teens. Who wrote it? Why wetlands are so critical for life on Earth, Rest in compost? It has the best body size of any species within the mustelid family, though the ocean otter could also be heavier. Marine Otter (Lontra felina) - Native to west coast of South America. 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 Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark, Photograph by Ernane Junior, National Geographic Your Shot, 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. How to identify the giant river otter? It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft). Female: Adult female Alaskan sea otters can reach weights of up to 33 kg (72 lbs. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. 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. [24] 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. [5] Other sources have found greater intervals, with as long as 21 to 33 months suggested for otters in the wild. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. A content writer, travel enthusiast, and mother of two kids (12 and 7), Deepthi Reddy is an MBA graduate who has finally struck the right chord in writing. It is also known as the Guiana flat-tailed otter, margin-tailed otter, and winged-tailed otter. See what's so cool about these six-foot-long freshwater denizens. The giant otter is known as the river wolf in South America because it is one of the top predators of its aquatic ecosystem. [48] The animal reaches sexual maturity at about two years of age and both male and female pups leave the group permanently after two to three years. These giant otter species are social animals living in family groups and the young ones from multiple breeding seasons. A comparison of all the otter jaw simulations revealed a linear relationship between jaw stiffness and animal size: Smaller otters had sturdier jaws. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7 m (4.9 and 5.6 ft) in size from head to tail and females between 1 and 1.5 m (3.Three and 4.9 ft). [40] One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary. 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. They will seek a peaceful place (or "picnic spot") to eat their prey. 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 . How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? [67], Research generally takes place in the dry season and an understanding of the species' overall habitat use remains partial. The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) of Asia may be its closest extant relative; similar behaviour, vocalizations, and skull morphology have been noted. 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. In Spanish, it is called a river wolf or water dog. [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. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. 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"Dry and Rainy Season Estimations of Giant Otter, "Giant River Otter Believed to be Extinct Has Been Spotted in Argentina", "How a social lifestyle helped drive a river otter species to near extinction", "Differential resilience of Amazonian otters along the Rio Negro in the aftermath of the 20th century international fur trade", "Mercury levels in tissues of Giant otters (, "Giant Otter Project In Peru: Field Trip And Activity Report, 1998", "A Survey of Kaburi Creek, West Suriname, and its Conservation Implications", "WWF welcomes Latin America's largest freshwater protected area", "Estudio preliminar sobre el estado de conservacin de la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en la zona de influencia de Inrida (Bajo ro Inrida) Guaina, Colombia", "PER-I38: El mundo del agua temido y poco conocido", "Biology and conservation of Giant Otter (, "Observations on the ecology and behavior of the giant river otter, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giant_otter&oldid=1141574134, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 19:07. Six million years ago, giant otters weighing more than 100 pounds lived among birds and water lilies in the wooded wetlands of China's Yunnan province. )[38] The groups are strongly cohesive: the otters sleep, play, travel, and feed together. Males tend to be larger than female otters. 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. However, today the giant otter . [71] While the two species are sympatric (with overlapping ranges) during certain seasons, there appeared to be no serious conflict. The giant otter is a highly social animal and lives in extended family groups. They have a muscular tail that helps in swimming and creamy white hair underside of the throat. These can become quite extensive, including "backdoor" exits into forests and swamps, away from the water. [52], Studies of giant otters in captivity have given indications about the environment necessary to both maintain a physically and behaviorally healthy population and allow successful cub-rearing. The cubs are born blind. Highly social animals are those which are highly interactive with other members of their species. The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. Otters come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the species. 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. Like most other otter species, giant otters come ashore to give birth. Your privacy is important to us. Young are weaned at the age of 3-4 months. Subadults leaving in search of new territory find it impossible to set up family groups. Other otters, such as Asian small-clawed otter, have a length range of 26-37 in (65-94 cm). Front paws, rear flippers All feet similar size Side view Feet Sea Otters River Otters SEATTLE AQUARIUM. A page allowing the comparison of up to six figures is now available. The co-expansion of otter and human populations accounts for most encounters gone wrong. . The last sighting of a giant otter in the wild in Argentina was in the 1980s. The hunting decimated their populations. Who created it? Parasites, such as the larvae of flies and a variety of intestinal worms, also afflict the giant otter. Its length is twice the length of the Asian short-clawed otter, the world's smallest otter. C'mon nat geo! Please be respectful of copyright. The IUCN Red List has no current estimate for the total Giant otter population. In seasonally flooded areas, the giant otter may abandon campsites during the wet season, dispersing to flooded forests in search of prey. When born, each baby otter is tiny and weighs just around 1 lb (0.4 kg). 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. [84][85] Bolivia designated wetlands larger than the size of Switzerland as a freshwater protected area in 2001; these are also home to the giant otter. They can't kill humans though but can cause injuries when they're protecting their babies. The entire group, including nonreproductive adults, which are usually older siblings to that year's pups, collaborates to catch enough fish for the young. The timing of activity by an animal depends A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a A piscivore is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. 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). Pursuit predation is a form of predation in which predators actively give chase to their prey, either solitarily or as a group. [38] The species has likely been extirpated from southern Brazil, but in the west of the country, decreased hunting pressure in the critical Pantanal has led to very successful recolonization; an estimate suggests 1,000 or more animals in the region. Credit: Adi Barocas. If fish are unavailable, they will also take crabs, snakes, and even small caimans and anacondas. Within groups, otters are extremely peaceful and cooperative. Weight can also vary greatly (e.g. 7. John Mitchell / Getty Images. Lobo de Rio (the River wolf), Los Lobos del Rio (Wolves of the River), Ariranha, Giant otter, Giant river otter. Giant river otter size is double the size of the world's smallest otter, the Asian small-clawed otter. [48] Study of captive specimens has found only males initiate copulation. Farmers follow, creating depleted soil and disrupted habitats. Currently, there are almost none in Argentina and Uruguay, and they are very rare in Paraguay. Can we bring a species back from the brink? Prey species found were also sedentary, generally swimming only short distances, which may aid the giant otter in predation. North American river otters can get up to around 30 pounds (14 kilograms), though the endangered giant otter found in South America . Like humans, giant otters are quite . The gestation period is between 65-70 days. [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. Sameer Prehistorica. [19] Giant otter fossil remains have been recovered from a cave in the Brazilian Mato Grosso. Males tend to be larger than female otters. 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 . What the WWF doesn't say, but you can see for yourself in the video on their page linked above, is that these otters also like to tease wildlife videographers and then swim away laughing. One to five latrines for communal use are placed along the perimeter of the site. [42] Population densities varied with a high of 1.2/km2 (3.1/sqmi) reported in Suriname and with a low of 0.154/km2 (0.40/sqmi) found in Guyana. Fish are supplemented by crustaceans, snakes, and other river creatures. 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.
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