Status: CITES – Appendix I; IUCN Red List. 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. It prefers to hunt in shallow water, using its keen vision to locate the prey which can be attacked either from above or below. In terms of body weight as well, Otters are much lighter than the Beavers. Males of Giant Otter weigh 26 to 32 kg and females 22 and 26 kg. Giant otters are strictly carnivorous and eat fish, crabs, small anacondas and small caimans. This otter is the largest member of the family Mustelidae, clearly distinguished from other South American otter species by morphological and behavioural characteristics. They have strong claws and large webbed feet. Giant otters have large, powerful tails which are paddle-shaped. The established territory is then marked by scent from the animals' anal glands. Behavior: Giant otters are very social animals. 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. This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. Known throughout much of their range as 'river wolf', they are amongst South America's top carnivores. Senses: Giant otters have very good vision. Males can weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg); females top weight is around 65 pounds (29.5 kg). 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). BODY: The feet of the Giant Otter are specially adapted for an amphibious lifestyle. They will seek a peaceful place (or "picnic spot") to eat their prey. For that reason they are often mistaken for another type of animal. The Giant Otter is the largest otter. 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 have webbed legs and a long tail adapted for swimming. 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). A large male may consume as much as 11 kg (25 lb.) The Giant otter was discovered by Gmelin in 1788. The females are smaller and weigh only 57-60 lbs (26-27 kg). This species does not store food. Overall, currently Giant otters are classified as Endangered (EN) and theirs numbers today are decreasing. They catch prey with their teeth. Their ears are small and round and like their nostrils, can be closed when underwater. 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. HABITAT: Rainforest rivers and creeks. An average giant otter will weigh between 22 and 32kg (49-71lbs). There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Giant river otters are perfectly equipped for an aquatic lifestyle with webbed feet, a long powerful tail, and a long streamlined body. Social animals: Giant Otters live in extended family groups that can number from three to even twenty individuals. Description: Giant otters have a gray or brown, dense (and waterproof) coat, which appears velvety when dry. Giant otter has 3.25 - 4.5 feet in length and weights between 49-71 pounds. Giant river otters are very sociable and live in families of between 3 – 10 individuals that hunt together. Their coat is a dark brown color with creamy white markings on their chest. The breeding system of territorial groups, including only a single breeding female with non … They are very sociable and live in families of 3–10 individuals that hunt together. Their muzzle is blunt and sloping; neck is muscular and long. They are powerful and graceful swimmers, spending most of their time in the water. Giant Otter Skull Replica measures 6.5 in. 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. LENGTH. They also use urine and feces to mark their territory. ORIGIN: South America. It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Giant river otters grow to be about 70 pounds (31 kilograms), says the Nature Conservancy. 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). The Giant Otter can reach up to 6 ft (1.8 m) in length, and weigh 76 lb (34 kg) in weight. The total length of the body is 3-4.5 feet and its tail alone is 1-3.5 feet long. Giant Otter Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. WEIGHT: 51-71 pounds. Males can weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg); females top weight is around 65 pounds (29.5 kg). Females give birth to as many as five in each litter. 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. The muzzle and chest may be blotched with a pale coloring of varying degrees, sometimes forming a ‘bib’ effect. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is an endangered semi-aquatic carnivore of South America. 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. This distinction goes to the sea otter. Tail is 18-26 inches long. Sizeable burrows are then built under fallen logs. They come in many sizes. Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. 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. The largest otter is the giant otter. The Sea Otters, which are the heaviest Otter species in the world, weigh somewhere around 20 kgs, which is the closest Otters have ever come to Beavers in weight. (41 kilograms).The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 fee… Giant Otters are the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), can easily reach 6 feet in length and weigh over 30 kg. Sexual maturity is attained at approximately two years of age. In fact, they eat around three kilograms of their body weight every single day! Length: Up to 6 ft. Illegal killing still occurs, often at the hands of fishermen, who see Giant otters as competition for fish. The females are smaller and weigh only 57–60 lb (26–27 kg). Made in USA. Young are weaned at the age of 3-4 months. Currently, there are almost none in Argentina and Uruguay, and they are very rare in Paraguay. The giant river otter is the longest member of the Mustelidae or weasel family. Although some breeding occurs throughout the year, the peak of the breeding season is from late spring to early summer. This program cooperatively manages specific, and typically threatened or endangered populations. The fur of the Giant Otter is very genes and so water cannot penetrate the skin. Social activities include hunting, grooming, resting and communicating. 22-32 kg. Pteronura brasiliensis moves through the water using different body parts according to its swimming speed. The giant otter is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels and ferrets. 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