In other otter species, vision is generally normal or slightly myopic, both on land and in water. The Giant River Otter is a sociable creature who lives in families of 3-10 members, banding together to … Skip to main content The Wildlife Trusts. 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. [78][79] Bolivia designated wetlands larger than the size of Switzerland as a freshwater protected area in 2001; these are also home to the giant otter. [56] 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. Giant river otters can eat piranhas. [65] While the two species are sympatric (with overlapping ranges) during certain seasons, there appeared to be no serious conflict. [2] Given local extinctions, the species' range has become discontinuous. "Giant otter" translates literally as nutria gigante and lontra gigante in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. [72][73] Water pollution from mining, fossil fuel extraction, and agriculture is a serious danger; concentrations of pesticides and other chemicals are magnified at each step in the food chain, and can poison top predators such as the giant otter. In the wild, they normally live about 8 to 9 years, but are capable of living up to 13 years of age. [33] An analysis published in 2014 cataloged 22 distinct types of vocalization in adults and 11 in neonates. Otters are well suited to a life on the water as they have webbed feet, dense fur to keep them warm, and can close their ears and nose when underwater. Here’s why. Giant Otters often baby sit for one another. 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). Limits on the number of tourists at any one time, fishing prohibitions, and a minimum safe distance of 50 metres (164 ft) are proposed to offer further protection. Habitat Giant Otters are only found in the rainforests and rivers of South America. On the one hand, adult males are between 5 and 6 feet long and weigh between 70 and 99 pounds and on the other, females measure between 5 and 5 1/2 feet in length and weigh between 48 and 58 pounds. Other places you will find them lingering include around rivers, streams, and lakes. 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 and fish concentrations in the dwindling lakes and channels are at their peak. The IUCN lists Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela as current range countries. All otters produce vocalizations, but by frequency and volume, the giant otter may be the most vocal. [12] Total population numbers are difficult to estimate. [71] A number of restrictions on land use and human intrusion are required to properly maintain wild populations. [37] 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. Giant Otters have excellent eyesight, a flat wide- based tail and they are well suited to an aquatic life. To spend much more time on land than other otters from Africa, are! The giant otter's hearing is acute and its sense of smell is excellent. Giant River Otters are apex predators, partially due to these impenetrable family groups, and use 22 different vocalisations to communicate to one another. Otters living in zoos and aquariums are likely to live far past their average life span to almost double or triple years. Giant Otters are fascinating animals. The marine otter is really a freshwater otter that has learned to occupy marine environments in South America. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. The giant otter is … Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean while giant otters live in the tropical rain forests of South America. They give birth within these dens during the dry season. They take a nap at mid-day during really warm weather. The implementation of CITES in 1973 finally brought about significant hunting reductions,[12] although demand did not disappear entirely: in the 1980s, pelt prices were as high as US$250 on the European market. 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. brasiliensis. [63] Pups are more vulnerable, and may be taken by caiman and other large predators,[50] although adults are constantly mindful of stray young, and will harass and fight off possible predators. Giant otter: Physical characteristics. [4] At Tierpark Hagenbeck in Germany, long-term pair bonding and individualized mate selection were seen, with copulation most frequently taking place in water. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Male river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Two subspecies are currently recognized by the canonical Mammal Species of the World, P. b. brasiliensis and P. b. paraguensis. 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