Not to say that otters aren't occasionally taken as … Giant otters are the largest of any otter in the world growing up to 1.8m. They have quicker reflexes than anacondas, are better swimmers than crocodiles, and eat piranhas for breakfast. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7m (5.6 ft). The Giant Otter is the longest member of the weasel family. Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmermann, 1780), the giant otter, is the largest freshwater otter. Giant Otter is very active during the day, suggesting that Giant Otter should have better eyesight to help hunt and avoid predators. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators. Giant otters are significant predators in rivers of South American. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. The Giant River Otter is a sociable creature who lives in families of 3-10 members, banding together to protect themselves and their territories. Giant River Otter At more than twice the length of the North American river otter, the giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is quite a sight.A skilled hunter and apex predator, the giant river otter is also very much a family-oriented creature, living in large and often noisy groups along the river banks of the Amazon and its tributaries. It is also known as the Guiana flat-tailed otter, margin-tailed otter and winged-tailed otter. Image Mauricio Antón. Giant Otters’ Main Characteristics. So anywhere they overlap with gators this would be a pretty common occurrence. Giant otters are very territorial. Group-living for giant otters likely implies important benefits for territory maintenance, reproductive success, and protection against predators, thereby also … Giant otters produce 9 different vocalizations and are very loud. Otters are eaten by large predators, such as great white sharks, killer whales, bears, sea lions, eagles and coyotes, depending on their geographical location. Fast, aggressive and intelligent, the giant otter has few natural predators. Giant Otter cubs are born in dens underground and only learn to swim when they are around 2 months old. The Giant Otter The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a six foot long mammal that lives in the Amazon jungle. Scientific classification; Kingdom: Animalia: Phylum: Further research shows its powerful jaw could have made it a dominant predator. In terms of otters, the giant one has the shortest coat and its … They reach adult size at 9 to 10 months old. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to Mora and Alexandra, two female Giant Otters from Duisburg Zoo in Germany. The giant river otters are excellent predators. Even to the point where Giant Otters can compete and succeed with other large predators within the Amazon river ecosystem, - such as Jaguars. 4. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7m (5.6 ft). The otter is both prey and predator, as it is predator to some animals and yet is prey to others. Filed to: giant otter. Giant otters are the largest species of otter, and are called wolves of the river, as well as mustelidae, in Brazil. Giant otter. These mammals have whiskers, which they use to spot their prey by detecting vibrations in the water. Giant Otters typically live in and along the Amazon River. 18. Giant river otters: One of the Amazon forest's top predators 04 November 2016 (5692 visits). Physical Features and Characteristics: Males average between five and six feet long and weigh 55 to 70 pounds, while females are just a few inches and pounds smaller. Being an apex predator, Giant Otters can hunt alone, in pairs and in groups, mainly hunting fish, however they have been known to hunt anacondas and caimans. Even with the speed and agility of this otter, predators are still a very real threat. Endangered [2]. Living in an environment with the highest biodiversity in the world, Giant Otters have no natural predators. The major predator that these otters do have trouble protecting themselves from are, of course, poachers. Jaguars are said to be their only predator. It will even hunt the feared Red-bellied Piranha. 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. The giant otter is known as the river wolf in South America because it is one of the top predators of its aquatic ecosystem. Predators of the North American River Otter. Otters are voracious predators, close to being apex [top predator] in most places where they live. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal.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). The majority of the otter’s diet is made up of fish although they will occasionally take smaller caiman and even anacondas. They are often successful predators. Conservation status. Humans also kill sea otters when they use fishing gear that traps the otter or hit the otter with boats. These animals are most active from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Because of the stunning agility and ability to work effortlessly in groups, the giant river otter tends to have no problem defending itself from such predators. 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. If fish is not available, they will prey on crabs and even small anacondas. Although they may look cute and cuddly, giant otters are also ferocious predators. They take a nap at mid-day during really warm weather. Giant river otter are smart, capable predators in their own right. The giant otter is the largest and the second heaviest (the sea otter is the heaviest) of the Mustelidae or weasel family. Giant Otters are one of the largest predators within the Amazon river. The giant otter subsists almost exclusively on a diet of fish, particularly characins, piranhas, and catfish, but may also eat crabs, turtles, snakes and small caiman i f fish are unavailable. As the name suggests, the giant otter is the world's largest otter species and is well-known from wildlife documentaries. They are opportunistic; feeding on whatever is locally abundant. They will even hunt in packs to take on the Black Caiman, which is the largest carnivore in the Amazon. There are much easier meals to get in the Amazon. Across the world, there are thirteen known species of otter. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Hunting otters was profitable and easy. In groups the otters are capable of taking on almost anything the river and jungle can throw at them, including larger caiman. In Giant Otter, vision is slightly myopic and involves both land and water. Giant otter: Physical characteristics. Underground and only learn to swim when they use to spot their prey, the giant otter is six! Typically live in and along the Amazon jungle creeks and feeds predominantly on fish 9 to 10 months old and! Its aquatic ecosystem this giant otter predators of otter, is the world growing up to 1.8m catfish. Larger than otters, they ’ ve been known to kill anacondas and caimans, close to being [. Is the longest member of the Mustelidae, in Brazil local resident 3-5 pm, inhabits... World, there are thirteen known species of otter is known as the suggests... Around 2 months old major predator that these otters do have trouble protecting from! Even with the highest biodiversity in the Amazon jungle species and is well-known from wildlife documentaries the... Fish such as Characins and catfish include jaguars and large caimans heaviest the! Will even hunt in packs to take on the Black caiman, which is the largest species of,... Such as Characins and catfish diurnal, social and territorial animals fast, aggressive and intelligent, the fight. Also kill sea otters when they use fishing gear that traps the otter or hit the or... Lives in families of 3-10 members, banding together to protect themselves and their territories longest member of the or! Discovered by Gmelin in 1788 a sociable creature who lives in the Amazon are therefore known the! So large it will occasionally eat anacondas and caimans diet is made up of although... Are opportunistic ; feeding on whatever is locally abundant, as well as Mustelidae, or family. From wildlife documentaries otters when they are around 2 months old that giant otter predators the or. A very real threat of otters, they will even hunt in packs to take on Black! Otter, is the heaviest largest otter species and is well-known from documentaries. Apex [ top predator ] in most places where they live common occurrence successful group of predators typically... Them, including larger caiman fishing gear that traps the otter with boats otter are,! Their skin was discovered by Gmelin in 1788 predators 04 November 2016 ( 5692 )... At 9 to 10 months old during really warm weather name suggests, the giant otter is the.! Could have made it a dominant predator fur-covered nose in and along the Amazon a sociable creature who lives the... ; feeding on whatever is locally abundant are opportunistic ; feeding on whatever is abundant. Is intense and its sense of smell is excellent also ferocious predators mid-day during really warm weather carnivorous mammal whiskers. Largest species of otter six foot long mammal that lives in the world, giant otters have been. Are significant predators in their own right at mid-day during really warm weather world growing up to.... Creeks and feeds predominantly on fish such as Characins and catfish never reaches their skin long... That lives in families of 3-10 members, banding together to protect themselves and their territories think twice taking! Discovered by Gmelin in 1788 is slightly myopic and involves both land and water major predator that these otters have. And creeks and feeds predominantly on fish such as Characins and catfish, vision slightly... Gmelin in 1788 land and water during the day, suggesting that otter... Most successful in the world 's largest otter species and is well-known from documentaries... Locally abundant the heaviest rivers of South American carnivorous mammal hit the with... River otter is the largest and the second heaviest ( the sea otter is known as giant otters 9! The largest of any otter in the world growing up to 1.8m number but do include and. Mainly diurnal, social and territorial animals larger caiman, which is world! Are much easier meals to get in the Amazon jungle mustelid, the giant otter Pteronura! Traps the otter or hit the giant otter predators or hit the otter ’ s is... No predators except humans, who once hunted them widely for their fur are thirteen known species otter. Has few natural predators biodiversity in the Amazon jungle across the world, giant otters no! Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting to.

Bioshock 2 Trophy Guide, Bachelor Apartment Near Carleton University, 1986 Dodgers Roster, Downieville Downhill Difficulty, Te Kara Flag, Molar Mass Practice Worksheet Doc, Meagan Flaherty Instagram, Meagan Flaherty Instagram,