The giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels, and ferrets, and are by far the loudest member of the group.Giant river otters are very sociable and live in families of between 3-10 individuals that hunt together. River otters also have long, muscular tails unlike their sea counterparts. They are often referred to as the river wolf and are the largest otters in the world. Fish form the bulk of their diet, but they’ll supplement this with snakes, crustaceans and other river creatures. First, sea otters are two to three times the size of river otters — and, when at the water’s surface, they float on their backs, while river otters swim belly down like most animals. All Rights Reserved. When two otters meet, they typically engage in an act known as periscoping, in which each otter raises its throat and chest above the water so that it can be recognized by the other. A giant otter needs as much as 4 kg of fish every day and their main food source is the local piranha. Interests Not quite. Sea otters live in large colonies, but river otters tend to stay in small family groups. A lesser-known location in Peru for seeing giant river otters is the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, located between Tarapoto and Iquitos. Giant otters usually have 2 or 4 cubs, but last November Sophia and Diablo became parents to six. Giant otters are highly sociable but aggressively territorial. Funny Otters. Battle. The otter has a long cylindrical body with a powerful tail, making it ideal for life in the water. Wild Kratts - River Otters vs. Sea Otters. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), known through much of its range as the 'river wolf', is one of South America's top carnivores and is the largest of the otter species in terms of total length.The muscular, sinuous body is covered with velvety, brown fur, which is dense and water-repellent. Discounts, FAQ Giant otters are the largest of any otter in the world growing up to 1.8m. M SQUARE, L.L.C. Newsletter Signup, 954-966-2374 (Local) 2:49. The threats they face are numerous, and include habitat destruction, hunting for pelts, and conflict with fisherman, who often see the otter as a nuisance. Sea otters eat about 25% to 30% of their weight. These mammals have whiskers, which they use to spot their prey by detecting vibrations in the water. Some sea otters might get heavier. The shrew slid into the nearby river and used its feather like tail to propel itself with grace through the water. ST35056. They live in extended family groups of up to 20 individuals, which typically include monogamous parents and their offspring from several breeding seasons. Giant river otter family vs. black caiman. 100% Upvoted. The Otter of the Sea floats amongst its raft of colony members. 7:01. They are semi-aquatic mammals, which means that they need both land and water habitat to survive. Destinations The hide is tough too, so it's not as you could go for that crispy chicharones effect. Giant River Otters Of The Amazon Rainforest, Galapagos, Machu Picchu, & Easter Island Tours, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, & Machu Picchu Tours, Classic Machu Picchu and Refugio Amazonas, Classic Machu Picchu and Reserva Amazonica, Ten Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Pantanal Wildlife: 8 Mammals That You Are Likely To See, The Best Places For Snorkeling In The Galapagos. Kids channel. It lives only in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. Is also one of South America’s top carnivores and the largest member of … Relive all of your favourite moments from this series. Currency Converter Groups of about 5 to 10 otters live together in dens or burrows beside a river. Once they locate their prey, the giant river otters proceed to capture and consume them. Surely, the vicious, toothy crocodilians would chomp clear through the cute, loveable river otters. About a third of that is fat. The giant otter needs to eat 6½lb (3kg) of fish each day. Giant river otters live in and along the Amazon River and its tributaries, as well as in the Orinoco River in Venezuela. On the other hand, the saltwater otters are well-acquainted with marine life and don’t like to leave the sea even for hunting. *1600 , (Edward Fairfax), The Jerusalem Delivered of Tasso, XII, lxvii: *:With trembling hands her beaver he untied, / Which done, he saw, and seeing knew her face. 2:47 . While sea otters use their two webbed hind feet and tail to propel them through the water, the four webbed feet of river otters are what enable them to swim efficiently. A few weeks before the solo otter standoff, Lara saw a jaguar trying to catch a family of otters along the São Lourenço River. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Really cool picture, however this sort of thing isn't that uncommon. River otters live near rivers and other sources of fresh water. The giant river otter is the longest member of the Mustelidae or weasel family. And if you’re anywhere near a group of giant otters, you’ll probably hear them before you see them. Wild Kratts. Giant otters are apex predators, sitting at the top of the food chain. The giant otter is the largest of all the otter species. In South America, the giant otter resides among hundreds of hungry caimans (a type of crocodilian related to alligators) without any issue. Meeting a very special giant river otter family, Giant river otter family vs. black caiman. 0 comments. When these jaguars encroach on their space, the otters fight back. It can grow up to 2.4m (8ft) long from nose to tail. Most giant river otters have chocolate brown fur, with some having a slightly reddish hue. Some local tribes have dubbed them “aquatic jaguars." Description and Range. At 5.6 feet (1.7 meters), they are the biggest otters in the world and the longest members of the weasel family. On top of this Sophia and Diablo need to feed their large family. There are accounts of caiman preying on giant river otters in the Amazon and the Brazilian Pantanal (a tropical wetland where giant river otters are also found). The Giant River Otter is also know locally as the River Wolf or Ariranha from the Tupí word meaning water jaguar. The giant river otter is the longest member of the Mustelidae or weasel family. Otter enrichment is important because it keeps them active and learning while playing all day. Search Tours Photos capture a river otter attacking a gator in a Florida river. The total population of giant river otters in the wild could now be as low as 5,000. Funny Otter Videos Compilation 2014 NEW Cute River And Sea Otters. River otters live near rivers and other sources of fresh water. Group Travel Copyright 2002-2020. River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter. Unfortunately, this has become the most pressing question regarding the giant river otter. One of the rarest mammals in the Pantanal region. It’s afternoon, the giant otter shrew looks around at nature around them, this particular shrew has just barely escaped capture from human researchers, and now has decided that it was going to hunt. Comedy Videos. They will come right up to a human, which can be dangerous sometimes, and do whatever the hell they want. My general response is to ask a few basic questions, then explain that this critter is really a river otter, not a sea otter, and they will need to inquire with their local animal services to get assistance with encouraging the river otter to relocate. The otter then feasted, witnesses say. He’s trying to climb up the pipe!” It was then that the explainer in me wanted to jump in and say, actually, no. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. Cocha Salvador Lake in the Peruvian Amazon is home to Sophia and Diablo - two giant otters. Despite conservation efforts in various parts of the Amazon and the Pantanal, the future of the giant river otter remains in the balance. The two types of otter are similar in appearance, both with thick coats and long, muscular tails, and they both have webbed feet. A sea otter! 8.) This gregarious animal grows to a length of up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft), and is more aquatic than most other otters. DBA: SOUTH AMERICAN VACATIONS is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. 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