giant otter

Pteronura brasiliensis

Giant otters are playful animals that live in rivers and lakes in South America. They are known for their loud barks and love to swim together as a family.

Hábitat: Wetlands

Aspecto

The giant otter has sleek dark brown fur with a unique creamy or white patch on its throat, which is different for every individual. It also has a long, powerful, flattened tail and fully webbed feet, giving it a distinctive appearance.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseMammaliaOrdenCarnivoraFamiliaMustelidaeGéneroPteronura

giant otter

Categoría

Mamíferos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

2/5 · Bajo

Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Each giant otter has a unique throat pattern, like a human fingerprint!

Giant otters are sometimes called 'river wolves' due to their social hunting.

They are the longest members of the weasel family, reaching up to 6 feet long!

They make over 22 different sounds to communicate with their family group!

Habilidades especiales

The giant otter can swim super fast because of its streamlined body and powerful, flattened tail that helps it propel through water.

The giant otter has clear membranes over its eyes that allow it to see clearly and hunt efficiently underwater.

Giant otters can hunt together in groups, which helps them catch larger and faster prey like big fish or even small caimans.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 150-180 cm
Peso: 15-32 kg
Esperanza de vida: 8-10 años
Top Speed: 12 km/h
Tamaño de la camada: 1-5
Gestación: 65-70 días

Dieta y alimentación

Giant otters are expert fish hunters, but they also enjoy crabs and other small water creatures!

Alimentos principales

Fish
Crabs
Small caimans
Snakes

Método de búsqueda

Pursuit

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Jaguar

Panthera onca

Jaguars sometimes prey on giant otters near riverbanks.

hunts

Spectacled Caiman

Caiman crocodilus

Giant otters occasionally hunt young spectacled caimans.

hunts

Peacock Bass

Cichla temensis

Giant otters frequently hunt large peacock bass in rivers.

hunts

Spotted Catfish

Pimelodus maculatus

Catfish are a common food source for giant otters.

Rasgos

Peludo

Peludo describe a los animales que poseen una cubierta densa de pelo o pelaje suave.

Pies palmeados

Se caracteriza por tener los dedos conectados por una membrana, lo que generalmente ayuda a nadar.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.

Piscívoro

Los organismos piscívoros son animales que subsisten principalmente de una dieta a base de peces.

Humedal

Este rasgo de hábitat identifica especies que se encuentran en humedales, que son áreas de tierra saturadas de agua, ya sea permanente o estacionalmente, e incluyen marismas, pantanos y ciénagas.