The species is territorial, with groups marking their ranges with latrines, gland secretions, and vocalizations. Carter and Rosas, however, rejected the subspecific division in 1997, noting the classification had only been validated once, in 1968, and the P. b. paraguensis type specimen was very similar to P. b. The Giant otter was discovered by Gmelin in 1788. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. Giant Brazilian Otter populations in Uruguay and Argentina are thought to be extinct. 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. The new arrivals were born on March 27 and are still under the care of doctors. April 13, 2023 by Bridget Sharkey. They prefer prey fish that are generally immobile on river bottoms in clear water. [40] 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. [52] Other causes of death include accidents, gastroenteritis, infanticide, and epileptic seizures. In addition to their waterproof fur, giant otters also have webbed feet, long tails, nose and ear coverings for swimming, and vibrissae to detect prey. [61] Carter and Rosas have found captive adult animals consume around 10% of their body weight dailyabout 3 kilograms (7lb), in keeping with findings in the wild. Cape clawless otters do not dig burrows. [70], Even if without direct predation, the giant otter must still compete with other predators for food resources. Logging, hunting, and pup seizure may have led groups to be far more wary of human activity. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. [2] Four specific vegetation types occur on one important creek in Suriname: riverbank high forest, floodable mixed marsh and high swamp forest, floodable low marsh forest, and grass islands and floating meadows within open areas of the creek itself. The Giant Brazilian Otter lives in South America in the Amazon and Orinoco basins from Venezuela to Paraguay and South Brazil. Researchers emphasize that even between groups, conflict avoidance is generally adopted. Other water habitats include freshwater springs and permanent freshwater lakes. The giant otter is unusually sociable for a mustelid (member of the weasel family). 300-950 g. Length. Learn about the giant river otter's habitat, population, and behavior. Utreras[65] presumed habitat requirements and availability would differ dramatically in the rainy season: estimating range sizes of 1.98 to as much as 19.55square kilometres (0.76 to 7.55sqmiles) for the groups. [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 Guianas are one of the last real strongholds for the species, which also enjoys modest numbers and significant protection in the Peruvian Amazonian basin. In captivity, this may increase to 17, with an unconfirmed record of 19. The giant otter shows a variety of adaptations suitable to an amphibious lifestyle, including exceptionally dense fur, a wing-like tail, and webbed feet. April 12, 2023 / 11:04 AM / CBS News. SeaWorld And Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. 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. Today you'll be learning about the giant otter. Giant otters are large aquatic carnivores that inhabit rivers and seasonal lakes in South America. It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. The giant otter is a species of mammal that belongs to the order Carnivora, of the family Mustelidae, which inhabits the Amazon. [48] Pups open their eyes in their fourth week, begin walking in their fifth, and are able to swim confidently between 12 and 14 weeks old. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. [19] Giant otter fossil remains have been recovered from a cave in the Brazilian Mato Grosso. The giant otter is also rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held. The outdoor Montreal zoo is holding its grand opening of the new privately funded, $1.4-million river otter habitat today. They inhabit slow moving rivers in forests, swamps and marshes, preferring clear water with gentle sloping banks and over . [49] Females have a gestation period of 65 to 70 days, giving birth to one to five pups, with an average of two. Illegal killing still occurs, often at the hands of fishermen, who see Giant otters as competition for fish. Quick hah barks or explosive snorts suggest immediate interest and possible danger. Strolling from their dwelling down to the river, the parents supervise as older siblings play with the youngsters, frolicking in the water and on the banks. Besides burrows, many river otters establish and use a variety of land "facilities" for a number of their daily activities. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. [16] Biologist Nicole Duplaix calls the division of "doubtful value". A male's range often overlaps that of one or more females. They were hunted nearly to extinction, but conservation measures have allowed some populations to recover. 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. Schoolchildren, however, had a more positive impression of the animal. . [45] The giant otter seems to prefer prey fish that are generally immobile on river bottoms in clear water. [75] While still present in a number of north-central countries, giant otter populations are under considerable stress. The animal is susceptible to a variety of diseases, including canine parvovirus. A wildlife park in the U.K. welcomed a "surprise" litter of otter triplets. Most otters have widespread distributions, but relatively sparse populations. [79][80], Other threats to the giant otter include conflict with fishermen, who often view the species as a nuisance (see below). [63] Duplaix identified two critical factors in habitat selection: food abundance, which appears to positively correlate to shallow water, and low sloping banks with good cover and easy access to preferred water types. The three Guianas remain the last stronghold of giant otters in South America, with pristine giant otter habitat on some rivers and good giant otter densities overallstill, but for how long? Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. Like humans, giant otters are quite gregarious. The giant otter can grow to more than 6 feet (2 meters) long and 70 pounds (32 kg), nearly twice as large as its American counterparts. [50] Males actively participate in rearing cubs and family cohesion is strong;[51] older, juvenile siblings also participate in rearing, although in the weeks immediately after birth, they may temporarily leave the group. 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. Contribute to the cause. The tail is well-muscled and can be as long as 28 inches. [5] They are weaned by nine months and begin hunting successfully soon after. With such small numbers already, this is making it harder for the giant otter population to recover. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. This species was excessively hunted up until the late 1970s for its valuable fur. [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. The giant otter is found in South America in a range of countries including Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. [66] Giant otters may adopt preferred locations perennially, often on high ground. [18] Carter and Rosas found average areas a third this size. Male giant otters average 26 to 34 kg (57-75 lbs. 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. If intruders invade the family's territory, the parents will defend it and their family members. In Canto State Park, otters dig their reproductive dens on the shores of oxbow lakes starting around July, when waters are already quite low. [2] A significant population lives in the wetlands of the central Araguaia River, and in particular within Canto State Park, which, with its 843 oxbow lakes and extensive flooded forests and marshlands, is one of the best habitat patches for this species in Brazil. Quick hah barks or explosive snorts suggest immediate interest and possible danger. The Civil War raged outside their homes. In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. "Giant otter" translates literally as nutria gigante and lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. Decades of poaching for its velvety pelt, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, considerably diminished population numbers. 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. Heres how. [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. Can we do the same? Weights are between 26 and 32kg (57 and 71lb) for males and 22 and 26kg (49 and 57lb) for females. Each animal may eat six to nine pounds of food per day. for males and about 7 km (4.3 mi.) The giant otter is the longest of the otter species but shares a similar weight with the sea otter. [5] At Tierpark Hagenbeck in Germany, long-term pair bonding and individualized mate selection were seen, with copulation most frequently taking place in water. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the species' presence in Argentina and Uruguay uncertain. Although giant otters don't have fins like a scuba diver or even fins like a fish, their four paws are webbed, creating a similar effect. The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. Breakfast with the otters and the fishers. They are considered a keystone species which essentially means that they help maintain biodiversity. [39] Statistics show between 1959 and 1969 Amazonian Brazil alone accounted for 1,000 to 3,000 pelts annually. Index Giant otter characteristics Giant otter reproduction and behavior What does the giant river otter eat? 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. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community. They have brown, water-repellent fur, webbed feet and long, strong tails that help propel them through water. Giant Otter habitat, underwater viewing gallery & waterfall | City Zoo | Planet Zoo | Speed build | Aquatic Pack | Speedbuild | Enclosure | Exhibit | Speedbuild | King Penguin | Grey Seal |. Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free. At night, they retreat back to their river bank den, getting some much needed rest after a day of swimming. 5 years and older. [62], The species is amphibious, although primarily terrestrial. Farmers follow, creating depleted soil and disrupted habitats. [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. 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. It is one of the most endangered mammal species in the Neotropics. Sponsor a River otter. Decades of poaching for its velvety pelt, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, considerably diminished population numbers. Some pups in the wild are taken for pets and usually die because of the inexperience of caretakers. 5 How many cubs do giants otters have? Giant otters are mammals related to the weasel family. The giant otter seems to have evolved independently of Lontra in South America, despite the overlap. It lives in streams, wetlands and slow flowing larger rivers. Giant Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18711/0. Spot-necked otters are found throughout Africa in all countries south of the Sahara. In seasonally flooded areas, the giant otter may abandon campsites during the wet season, dispersing to flooded forests in search of prey. Data on the occurrence and habitat use of giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis in the 4,437 km 2 of Balbina hydroelectric lake in central Amazonia, Brazil, were collected from September 2001 to December 2005. brasiliensis. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Who buys lion bones? Amanda has taught high school science for over 10 years. Among the Achuar people, they are known as wankanim,[8] among the Sanum as hadami[9][10] and among the Makushi as turara. The giant otter has a handful of other names. 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. They noted that the species may be the basal divergence among the otters or fall outside of them altogether, having split even before other mustelids, such as the ermine, polecat, and mink. )[38], Group members share roles, structured around the dominant breeding pair. They appear in a fish poisoning legend where they assist a man who has wasted his sexual energy, creating the anacondas of the world from his distressed and extended genitals. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. [70], The species has also appeared in the folklore of the region. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Gymnotids, such as the electric eel, and the large silurid catfish are among aquatic competitors. [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. - Definition, Types & Properties, Aluminum Hydroxide: Formula & Side Effects, Soil Contamination: Treatment, Phytoremediation & Bioremediation, Soil Contamination: Definition, Sources & Prevention, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Reproductive maturity is reached when they are 2 years old. Giant otters are strictly carnivorous (piscivorous) and mainly fish such as cichlids, perch, characins (such as piranha), and catfish. It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. [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. A family has a home range of 12 sq. Here are seven facts you otter know about this South American member of the Mustelidae family. 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. The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. [14][76][77], More recently, habitat destruction and degradation have become the principal dangers, and a further reduction of 50% is expected in giant otter numbers within the 20 years after 2004 (about the span of three generations of giant otters). The family members clear an area beside a stream for their living quarters, of up to 50 sq meters, usually near feeding sites. Alaska sea otters inhabit the coast of Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, and south along British Columbia and Washington. [18] (The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is the fourth Lontra member.) Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. All rights reserved. Otters are very social animals, and considerable amounts of time are spent on grooming, playing, and resting together, as well as cooperatively hunting. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Hums and coos are more reassuring within the group. Many otter species undergo seasonal movements, but no extensive migrations. Though most live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the sea otter and the smaller marine otter are found in the Pacific Ocean. The park harbors many endangered plants and animals, including the giant otter, and holds the world record for mammal diversity. [65] They clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites. [2] Typically, loggers first move into rainforest, clearing the vegetation along riverbanks. [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. These beautiful creatures, covered in muscles coated with a dark brown fur are endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting. They have thick fur that caused them to be hunted to near extinction. However, otters have another important sensory organ at their disposal, called vibrissae. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.8m (5ft 11in). The fact that it is exclusively active during the day further suggests its eyesight should be strong, to aid in hunting and predator avoidance. Giant otters do not store food. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. [57] Fish remains were of medium-sized species that seem to prefer relatively shallow water, to the advantage of the probably visually oriented giant otter. They give birth between August and September, and the young pups emerge for the first time in October and November, which are the months of lowest water when fish concentrations in the dwindling lakes and channels are at their peak. 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Be extinct 7 km ( 4.3 mi. the Brazilian Mato Grosso predation... Many endangered plants and animals, including the giant otter is also rare in captivity ; in 2003 only! To eight members hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free a similar weight the. Moving rivers in forests, swamps and marshes, preferring clear water with gentle sloping and... [ 39 ] Statistics show between 1959 and 1969 Amazonian Brazil alone accounted for 1,000 to 3,000 pelts annually populations! Is an especially noisy animal, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days and! Union giant otter habitat conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) considers the species is amphibious, although primarily terrestrial for valuable. Were being held South Brazil marshes, preferring clear water with gentle sloping banks and over human... 18 ] Carter and Rosas found average areas a third this size weight with sea! Them to be far more wary of human activity giant otter habitat needed rest after a day of swimming [ ]! Are weaned by nine months and begin hunting successfully soon after valuable fur gregarious, and diurnal three... Montreal zoo is holding its grand opening of the inexperience of caretakers animals, including parvovirus. Of `` doubtful value '' and pup seizure may have led groups to be extinct wildlife park in the are! But relatively sparse populations feet and long, strong tails that help propel them through water large. Most otters have another important sensory organ at their disposal, called vibrissae extensive campsites close to feeding areas clearing... America ; it lives in South America ; it lives mostly in and the. Of human activity 25 ] the giant otter was discovered by Gmelin in 1788 still under the care doctors..., this may increase to 17, with a dark brown fur are endangered due to habitat and., many river otters establish and use a variety of land `` facilities '' for a (...
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