Lobo de Rio (the River wolf), Los Lobos del Rio (Wolves of the River), Ariranha. This species does not store food. ORIGIN: South America. 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. WEIGHT: 51-71 pounds. Giant otter fur is the shortest of all the otter species. WEIGHT. Description: Giant otters have a gray or brown, dense (and waterproof) coat, which appears velvety when dry. Some sea otters might get heavier. 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. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. BODY: The feet of the Giant Otter are specially adapted for an amphibious lifestyle. 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. Males can weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg); females top weight is around 65 pounds (29.5 kg). 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. Giant Otters are the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), can easily reach 6 feet in length and weigh over 30 kg. Behavior: Giant otters are very social animals. Sea otter, or sea otter, (Enhydra lutra) may have more weight, but a giant otter is superior in size to sea otter. 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. 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). Although some breeding occurs throughout the year, the peak of the breeding season is from late spring to early summer. They come in many sizes. Giant river otters are perfectly equipped for an aquatic lifestyle with webbed feet, a long powerful tail, and a long streamlined body. Giant Otter Skull Replica measures 6.5 in. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. Length: Up to 6 ft. The fur of the Giant Otter is very genes and so water cannot penetrate the skin. Made in USA. 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. Females give birth to as many as five in each litter. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. They catch prey with their teeth. The giant otter is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels and ferrets. HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 70–75 lbs. Gestation lasts 65-70 days and the altricial young are born in late August until early October. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. 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. 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). In fact, they eat around three kilograms of their body weight every single day! They will seek a peaceful place (or "picnic spot") to eat their prey. Giant Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18711/0. In Brazil it is known as ariranha, from the Tupí word ari'raña, meaning water jaguar ((Template:Lang-pt). It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. Giant Otter Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. The pattern of blotches is unique to each individual and has been used by researchers to identify individual animals. 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. This type of species has short fur of all otter species. Communication: A variety of vocalizations are used to communicate among Giant otters. These otters are able to swim 330 feet (100 meters) in less than 30 seconds. 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). Males of Giant Otter weigh 26 to 32 kg and females 22 and 26 kg. They have strong claws and large webbed feet. They have an inner coat which is surrounded by guard hairs that keep the water off their actual coat. Since these otter hunt in packs, various non-vocal cues are used during the hunt or when defending their territory. The Giant Otter is the largest otter. The breeding system of territorial groups, including only a single breeding female with non … Giant Otters’ Main Characteristics. Endangered. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. A family consists of a mated pair and their offspring of several generation. Sizeable burrows are then built under fallen logs. 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. Reproductive behavior has largely been documented by observations of captive animals. Concern over this endangered species has since generated a body of research. Giant otter has 3.25 - 4.5 feet in length and weights between 49-71 pounds. ... “My weight … 22-32 kg. The tail is well-muscled and can be as long as 28 inches. 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. The Giant Otter features a very long body, similar to that of a weasel. 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. Methods of Collecting Food. Behavior: Giant otters are very social animals. Giant otters produce 9 different vocalizations and are very loud. The established territory is then marked by scent from the animals' anal glands. This program cooperatively manages specific, and typically threatened or endangered populations. (41 kilograms).The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 fee… Overall, currently Giant otters are classified as Endangered (EN) and theirs numbers today are decreasing. Because of their size and speed of swimming, Giant otters are successful competing for fish with Black caimans and jaguars. Through the water and females 22 and 26 kg to even twenty individuals will consume 3kg... 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