Tail is 18-26 inches long. Although some breeding occurs throughout the year, the peak of the breeding season is from late spring to early summer. They have an inner coat which is surrounded by guard hairs that keep the water off their actual coat. As its name implies, the giant otter is the largest species of otters. Gestation lasts 65 to 70 days. Giant otters prefer habitats with non-floodable banks that have vegetation cover and where there is easy access to hunting places in relatively shallow waters. The pattern of blotches is unique to each individual and has been used by researchers to identify individual animals. 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. Communication: A variety of vocalizations are used to communicate among Giant otters. This program cooperatively manages specific, and typically threatened or endangered populations. 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. A giant otter will consume roughly 3kg (7lb) – about 10% – of its body weight per day. Giant otter has 3.25 - 4.5 feet in length and weights between 49-71 pounds. If intruders invade the family's territory, the parents will defend it and their family members. Currently, there are almost none in Argentina and Uruguay, and they are very rare in Paraguay. They catch prey with their teeth. Young are weaned at the age of 3-4 months. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Giant otters are the largest otters on the planet and can swim at speeds up to 9 miles per hour. … This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. The giant otter is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels and ferrets. It prefers to hunt in shallow water, using its keen vision to locate the prey which can be attacked either from above or below. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. Pteronura brasiliensis Their muzzle is blunt and sloping; neck is muscular and long. WEIGHT. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. 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. 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. Sea otters eat about 25% to 30% of their weight. km. of food daily. 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. size: 145-180 cm (body 96-123 cm; tail 45-65 cm) weight: 24-34 kg The largest extant otter species in the world is the giant otter from South America. HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 70–75 lbs. For that reason they are often mistaken for another type of animal. The Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmermann, 1780) is endemic to South America, distributed throughout the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River basins and numerous localities in the Guyanas. The average weight of an adult is 50-75 pounds with the male being the larger than the female. Expert fishers: Giant Otters feast on several species of Amazonian catfish and Characins. The IUCN Red List has no current estimate for the total Giant otter population. Overall, currently Giant otters are classified as Endangered (EN) and theirs numbers today are decreasing. 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. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). This species is the largest among all the species of otters in the world, (sea otters , with their more compact body, can weigh considerably more).The males reach a total length of 1.5 to 1.8 m and a weight between 26 and 32 kg.As for females they usually measure 1.5 to 1.7 m in length and can weigh between 22 and 26 kg. An average giant otter will weigh between 22 and 32kg (49-71lbs). Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. Their coat is a dark brown color with creamy white markings on their chest. Males of Giant Otter weigh 26 to 32 kg and females 22 and 26 kg. 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. Included in AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP). Giant Otters are the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), can easily reach 6 feet in length and weigh over 30 kg. 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). This species is diurnal and lives together in family groups numbering 5-8 individuals. Length: Up to 6 ft. The breeding system of territorial groups, including only a single breeding female with non … The largest otter is the giant otter. Many people find this particular Otter to be different in size and shape from others. Social activities include hunting, grooming, resting and communicating. 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. The total length of the body is 3-4.5 feet and its tail alone is 1-3.5 feet long. 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. The Giant Otter features a very long body, similar to that of a weasel. Gestation lasts 65-70 days and the altricial young are born in late August until early October. Diet: Giant otters mainly eat fish (piscivores) but frogs, snakes, crabs and crayfish may also be eaten, with each eating six to nine pounds (three to four kilos) daily. Unlike other … Giant river otters grow to be about 70 pounds (31 kilograms), says the Nature Conservancy. In terms of body weight as well, Otters are much lighter than the Beavers. Giant Otter This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. Concern over this endangered species has since generated a body of research. The Giant otter was discovered by Gmelin in 1788. They can reach lengths up to 6 feet long and weigh 75 pounds! 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). These animals are most active from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm. At 9-10 months they can hunt independently and look just like their parents. Reproductive behavior has largely been documented by observations of captive animals. Giant river otters are very sociable and live in families of between 3 – 10 individuals that hunt together. One to five latrines for communal use are placed along the perimeter of the site. Pteronura brasiliensis moves through the water using different body parts according to its swimming speed. The females are smaller and weigh only 57-60 lbs (26-27 kg). Giant Otter Skull Replica measures 6.5 in. Behavior: Giant otters are very social animals. Habitat/range: Found in oxbow lakes and large slow moving rivers, including the Amazon, La Plate and Orinoco Rivers in north-central South America. The giant otter is the longest of all the otter species, with a length of 6 ft (1.8m), including the tail, and a weight of 76 lbs (34 kg). Their ears are small and round and like their nostrils, can be closed when underwater. Giant otter fur is the shortest of all the otter species. Highly sensitive, long vibraissae (whiskers) protrude from the muzzle and forehead, aiding in the underwater search for prey. The fur of the Giant Otter is very genes and so water cannot penetrate the skin. River otters and giant otters hunt by using their vibrissae to detect movements of prey in the water. All three names ar… 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 forest during the rainy season. Illegal killing still occurs, often at the hands of fishermen, who see Giant otters as competition for fish. Giant Otter Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. They are powerful and graceful swimmers, spending most of their time in the water. This species was excessively hunted up until the late 1970s for its valuable fur. 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. They come in many sizes. The male giant otter is between 4.9 and 5.6 feet long from head to tail and weighs 57-71 pounds while the female is between 3.3 and 4.9 feet and weighs 49-57 pounds. They also have very sensitive whiskers, or vibrissae, that can detect changes in water pressure and help when discovering prey in the area. The females are smaller and weigh only 57–60 lb (26–27 kg). Giant Otter Facts. 5. ORIGIN: South America. 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. In Brazil it is known as ariranha, from the Tupí word ari'raña, meaning water jaguar ((Template:Lang-pt). Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. Behavior: Giant otters are very social animals. Sexual maturity is attained at approximately two years of age. Giant river otters can eat piranhas. A family has a home range of 12 sq. Estimates have been provided for the following countries: 60 animals in Bolivia in the northwest in the Madre de Dios-Beni sub-basin; 50 individuals in 118,031 km² of the Pantanal (Paraguay river sub-basin), and 600 animals in the in 186,460 km² of the northeast (Itenez sub-basin), totaling an estimated 700 individuals; less than 250 animals in Ecuador; at least 200 animals in French Guiana; and 24-32 animals in Paraguay. They also use urine and feces to mark their territory. Senses: Giant otters have very good vision. 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). Reproduction: Giant otters are monogamous with pairs staying together for life. Methods of Collecting Food. Its total length, including the tail, can reach 2.7 m. Outwardly, it resembles a sea otter rather than a river otter. Giant Otters are the largest mustelid and they are similar to a very large river otter. WEIGHT: 51-71 pounds. 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