The males are the ones that will initiate the process though. Giant otters are threatened by human activity. Likewise, older siblings also participate in less active parenting. One of those on the list of animals that mate for life actually lives in Brooklyn, New York — and it’s a special breed of parrot, commonly referred to as Quaker Parrots. A female may be ready to mate again in a couple of months but it can be up to 2 years before she does. As predators that are near the top of the food chain, otters are hugely important for keeping their environments balanced. They also enjoy feeding on crab and small snakes. Also, otters clear certain areas in order to build their settlements. Amphibians also reach the homes of many exotic pet enthusiasts. Moreover, females give birth in burrows previously built and guarded by their family group. Giant otter – Pteronura brasiliensis / Photo taken by Frank Wouters from Belgium. One of…, When we think of snakes, we often envision an elongated animal with a scaly body, a large jaw with the…, There's some good news in the world of animal conservation, official sources recently revealed that the Tasmanian devil has returned…, Today's article is about four types of scorpions. The reproduction of the Giant Otter leaves a great deal to be figured out. Otter families have a strong link because they sleep, play, travel and eat together. Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Otters are often seen holding hands as they sleep on top of … In 1999, the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) cataloged the giant otter as an endangered species. European otters Lutra lutra (as well as the sea otters) don't. Then they retreat to their dens on land as the sun goes down. Throughout South America is where you will find the Giant Otter. After capturing it, they consume it immediately beginning with the head, which they hold firmly between their front legs. However, it has been considered vulnerable since 1982. Similarly, their legs are thick and have large webbed feet with sharp claws. Well, some, but not all. Giant otter belongs to a family of carnivorous mammals called mustelid. However, more than 90 percent of birds are monogamous animals, though none of them show affection quite like macaroni penguins. Experts can only assume what really goes on in the wild. Duplaix, N. (1980). They are very social which is why you will find them in very large groups. They mate to raise offspring. Furthermore, they form couples and mate for life. They are more expensive though than what the other nets cost so many of them still haven’t made the transition. According to the IUCN Red List, the presence of the giant otter in Argentina and Uruguay is uncertain. They consume around 10% of their body weight per day (about 7 pounds). 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. These animals hunt in packs and live in groups of extended families. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. As you can see, these creatures are very well adapted to aquatic life. Ecotourism is also a great danger to the species. Several male Otters may fight over a female. The gestation periods range between 65 and 70 days and they give birth to 1-5 pups although the average is two. Similarly, this outer layer is approximately 1/3 of an inch thick, roughly twice the width of the inner layer. The name of the genus Pteronura comes from the ancient Greek word ‘pteron’ (feather or wing) and ‘ura’ (tail) and refers to the characteristic shape of its tail, which resembles a wing. Many people find this particular Otter to be different in size and shape from others. The successful male Otter must then attract the female, he does this by whistling to her in the dark, an interested female will whistle back. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Moreover, females give birth in burrows previously built and guarded by their family group. As for their hearing, it’s also quite acute and their sense of smell highly developed. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. They have observed such efforts in captivity but feel that there will also be some differences based upon the location. Otters have a great capacity for maneuvering under water. Poaching continues to be a huge problem which is the illegal hunting of these animals. The current total population is difficult to estimate, although a study by IUCN in 2006 suggests there are about 1,000 to 5,000 otters. These allow them to detect any changes in water pressure and currents, and make it easier for the animal to locate prey. Otter, any of 13–14 species of semiaquatic mammals that belong to the weasel family and are noted for their playfulness. The males are the ones that will initiate the process though. The reproduction of the Giant Otter leaves a great deal to be figured out. They begin to walk by the fifth week, and they’re able to swim properly at the age of 14 weeks. “Biology and conservation of Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)”. The gestation periods range between 65 and 70 days and they give birth to 1-5 pups although the average is two. y Rosas, F.C.W. These otters have brown-to-gray fur, and their undersides are a lighter, silvery shade. is distributed throughout the Southern Cone, The Tasmanian Devil Returns to Mainland Australia, Characteristics of Four Types of Scorpions, The Fire Belly Newt: Care and Characteristics. In no sense is this information intended to provide diagnoses or act as a substitute for the work of a qualified professional. These groups often have three to eight members and there may be up to 20 individuals in total. The females seem to give birth to their offspring during the dry season. The giant otter is also known as water jaguar, river wolf, and water dog. This feature is distinctive of the giant otter since the other otter species have a normal or slightly myopic vision, both on land and in water. Mainly, the giant otter inhabits freshwater rivers and streams that are seasonally flooded. Presently, the reduction of their habitat is their main threat. Also, other aquatic habitats include freshwater springs and permanent lakes. The males take part in all breeding matters of the offspring, so their family ties are strong. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. If there Otters habitat is thriving with enough room for them and plenty of food then they may mate more than once in a give season. They prefer to reside in the rivers and streams that hold freshwater. Otters are ready to reproduce when they are from 2 to 3 years of age. The subspecies P. b. Brasiliensis is distributed to the north of South America, between the basins of the Orinoco and the Amazon rivers, including the Guianas. However, some may also present reddish or dark blond. There are less than 5,000 of them in the wild and approximately 60 of them in captivity. Female sea otters become mature at about four years. The Giant Otter features a very long body, similar to that of a weasel. But the sea otter’s habitat is unique, as they only live in shallow coastal waters in the North Pacific ocean. Likewise, their ears are small and rounded and they have very sensitive whiskers. The giant otter is a species of mammal that belongs to the order Carnivora, of the family Mustelidae, which inhabits the Amazon. Giant otters are only active during the day. You will find that they are very active during the day.