This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. Weight can also vary greatly (e.g. 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. In captivity, this may increase to 17, with an unconfirmed record of 19. (Heaney et al. Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. They found that giant otters exposed to such activities were more likely to avoid the presence of humans. 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. Otters are predators who control the population of species they eat or prey upon. Young are weaned at the age of 3-4 months. It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. 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). Can we bring a species back from the brink? 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? How to identify the giant river otter? They also have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. 5. When in the water, the giant otter faces danger from animals not strictly preying upon it: the electric eel and stingray are potentially deadly if stumbled upon, and piranha may be capable of at least taking bites out of a giant otter, as evidenced by scarring on individuals. [52] Other causes of death include accidents, gastroenteritis, infanticide, and epileptic seizures. The giant otter is clearly distinguished from other otters by morphological and behavioural characteristics. What does cancer smell like? A 2011 Oceanographic Environmental Research Society study of otter attacks found only 39 documented violent . They're semi-aquatic mammals, which means that they need both land and water habitat to survive. 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. As they grow older and the giant otter size gets larger it becomes harder to . When born, each baby otter is tiny and weighs just around 1 lb (0.4 kg). The fastest species of otter is the giant otter, which uses its long tail for propulsion and can reach peak speeds of up to 25 km/h . Two species of otters, neotropical otters, and giant otters inhabit South American forests. The giant otter seems to choose clear, black waters with rocky or sandy bottoms over silty, saline, and white waters. . 1. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) considers the species' presence in Argentina and Uruguay uncertain. Some sea otters might get heavier. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Illegal killing still occurs, often at the hands of fishermen, who see Giant otters as competition for fish. [2] Populations in Bolivia were once widespread but the country became a "black spot" on distribution maps after poaching between the 1940s and 1970s; a relatively healthy, but still small, population of 350 was estimated in the country in 2002. [48][49] Research over five years on a breeding pair at the Cali Zoo in Colombia found the average interval between litters was six to seven months, but as short as 77 days when the previous litter did not survive. This species is monogamous, and pairs stay together for life. Goliath Birdeater: 12 Inches. Other otters, such as Asian small-clawed otter, have a length range of 26-37 in (65-94 cm). The ethnographic museum of the past is making its way to the exit.. Male giant otters can grow up to 5.5 ft (1.7 m). [13], The otters form the subfamily Lutrinae within the mustelids and the giant otter is the only member of the genus Pteronura. The animal's well-muscled tail can add a further 70cm (28in) to the total body length. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. A capacity for aggressive behavior should not be overstated with the giant otter. [13] Later gene sequencing research on the mustelids, from 2005, places the divergence of the giant otter somewhat later, between five and 11million years ago; the corresponding phylogenetic tree locates the Lontra divergence first among otter genera, and Pteronura second, although divergence ranges overlap.[21]. [52] This sensitivity is matched by a strong protectiveness towards the young. They will also make hums and coos, and whistles. Reproductive behavior has largely been documented by observations of captive animals. 3. Size Code. Di Martino captured the otter on his phone while. Statistics show between 1959 and 1969 Amazonian Brazil alone accounted for 1,000 to 3,000 pelts annually. The last sighting of a giant otter in the wild in Argentina was in the 1980s. It is a species, the only one in the genus Pteroneura, which has short, very dense hair, 8 mm thick, velvety in appearance, ranging in color from light brown to a darker shade. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.8m (5ft 11in). They chase prey rapidly and tumultuously, with lunges and twists through the shallows and few missed targets. Well suited for an aquatic life, it can close its ears and nose while underwater. 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. It is difficult to differentiate between giant male and female species as they have almost similar heads and body shapes. Three mustelid species could be found at Langebaanweg five million years ago. Fur is chocolate brown with cream-colored throat patches that are unique to each individual. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? They can open their eyes after 1 month and start to regularly follow their parents out of the den. Life Expectancy It is estimated the life expectancy is between 10 and 13 years in the wild. The giant otter's typical length varies between 57-71 in (145-180 cm); the average is around 6 ft (1.8 m). What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? 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. It can grow around a length of 1.8 m (6 ft). Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. 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. The Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology says the giant river otter has few predators, but jaguars are among them. These animals can sniff it out. They are closely related to the other otter species. Giant otters are a species of South American mammals belonging to the Pteronura genus. [22][23] Early reports of skins and living animals suggested exceptionally large males of up to 2.4m (7ft 10+12in); intensive hunting likely reduced the occurrence of such massive specimens. Its length is twice the length of the Asian short-clawed otter, the world's smallest otter. A page allowing the comparison of up to six figures is now available. [62] Furthermore, Defler observed associations between giant otters and the Amazon river dolphins, and suggested that dolphins may benefit by fish fleeing from the otters. [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. 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). Its distribution has been greatly reduced and is now discontinuous. Hatzegopteryx, compared to a full-grown human being. [74] The animal's relatively late sexual maturity and complex social life makes hunting especially disastrous.[14][75][76]. Sameer Prehistorica. [87], In Suriname, the giant otter is not a traditional prey species for human hunters, which affords some protection. All rights reserved. [88] 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. The giant otter is also rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held. The ancient otters got up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms) in size. Female otters in the California region can weigh up to 60 pounds, while males can weigh up to 90 pounds. 300-1,000 kg. Unauthorized use is prohibited. These can become quite extensive, including "backdoor" exits into forests and swamps, away from the water. Currently, there are almost none in Argentina and Uruguay, and they are very rare in Paraguay. An average giant otter is 57-71 inches (145-180 cm) long, weighs 53 pounds (24 kg), and has a body length of 57-71 inches (145-180 cm). 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. [62] The spectacled caiman is another potential competitor, but Duplaix found no conflict with the species in Suriname. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? Body: adults between 50-100 pounds adults approximately 20-25 pounds . They are extremely easy to hunt, being active through the day and highly inquisitive. Meanwhile, in the comparison between giant river otter vs sea otter, sea otters are twice or thrice bigger than giant otters. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community. 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 . ), and female California sea otters weigh on average 20 kg (44 lbs.) It is one of the most endangered mammal species in the Neotropics. Fight takes place in a clear, 4ft deep swimming pool. How big can a giant otter grow? [59] If fish are unavailable, it will also take crabs, snakes, and even small caimans and anacondas. 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. 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. Other water habitats include freshwater springs and permanent freshwater lakes. Less well known than the equally giant Quetzalcoatlus, Hatzegopteryx made its home on Hatzeg Island, which was isolated from the rest of central Europe during the late Cretaceous period.Not only was Hatzegopteryx's skull ten feet long, but this pterosaur may have had a wingspan of a whopping 40 feet (though it probably . Us on Instagram was submitted to your Shot, our photo community Instagram! 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