giant otter habitatgiant otter habitat

[14] Total population numbers are difficult to estimate. Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles. Newborn pups squeak to elicit attention, while older young whine and wail when they begin to participate in group activities. How magnesium affects your sleep and anxiety, Your eyes may be a window into early Alzheimer's detection, 6 hiking and biking trails to explore in the Alps this summer. Giant otters adopt communal latrines beside campsites, and dig dens with a handful of entrances, typically under root systems or fallen trees. A study of five indigenous communities in Colombia suggests native attitudes toward the animal are a threat: the otters are often viewed as a nuisance that interferes with fishing, and are sometimes killed. For example, stress to the parents during cub-rearing due to inappropriate enclosure conditions has been the primary reason for cub neglect, abuse and infanticide. See how Nat Geo photographed elephants over 100 years, The secret superpowers of elephants, in stop motion. Cape clawless otters are found in widely varying habitats, from dense rainforest to open coastal plain and semi-arid zones. The giant otter subsists almost exclusively on a diet of fish, particularly characins and catfish, but may also eat crabs, turtles, snakes and small caimans. Giant otters are especially noisy and have a complex repertoire of vocalizations. Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famousis that a problem? After nine or ten months, it is difficult to tell mother from child. [36] Each family of otters was shown to have its own unique audio signature. The entire group, including nonreproductive adults, which are usually older siblings to that year's pups, collaborates to catch enough fish for the young. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. By the end of this lesson you'll be able to describe the few places giant otters live, factors impacting their population and some interesting facts about their adaptations, lifestyle and behavior. One to five latrines for communal use are placed along the perimeter of the site. An IUCN study in 2006 suggested 1,000 to 5,000 otters remain. [63] Otters do not visit or mark every site daily, but usually patrol all of them, often by a pair of otters in the morning. Its distribution has been greatly reduced and is now discontinuous. The giant otter or giant river otter(Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a South American carnivorous mammal. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. The giant otter is almost 1.5 m long, with an additional metre provided by its tail. An analysis of dry season range size for three otter groups in Ecuador found areas between 0.45 and 2.79 square kilometres (0.17 and 1.08sqmi). The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Most seem to prefer quiet ponds and sluggish streams. Cape clawless otters inhabit the southern two-thirds of the African continent. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. Lobo de Rio (the River wolf), Los Lobos del Rio (Wolves of the River), Ariranha, Giant otter, Giant river otter. It has no serious natural predators other than humans, although it must compete with other predators, such as the neotropical otter, jaguar, and various crocodilian species, for food resources. Chris Oberholtz. [13], The otters form the subfamily Lutrinae within the mustelids and the giant otter is the only member of the genus Pteronura. Our educational program. "Dry and Rainy Season Estimations of Giant Otter, "Giant River Otter Believed to be Extinct Has Been Spotted in Argentina", "How a social lifestyle helped drive a river otter species to near extinction", "Differential resilience of Amazonian otters along the Rio Negro in the aftermath of the 20th century international fur trade", "Mercury levels in tissues of Giant otters (, "Giant Otter Project In Peru: Field Trip And Activity Report, 1998", "A Survey of Kaburi Creek, West Suriname, and its Conservation Implications", "WWF welcomes Latin America's largest freshwater protected area", "Estudio preliminar sobre el estado de conservacin de la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) en la zona de influencia de Inrida (Bajo ro Inrida) Guaina, Colombia", "PER-I38: El mundo del agua temido y poco conocido", "Biology and conservation of Giant Otter (, "Observations on the ecology and behavior of the giant river otter, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giant_otter&oldid=1150316722, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles containing Portuguese-language text, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 17 April 2023, at 12:48. Who buys lion bones? Young otters remain in the den for a month but grow up quickly. In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. Young are weaned at the age of 3-4 months. Besides burrows, many river otters establish and use a variety of land "facilities" for a number of their daily activities. Trevor Platt/Getty They have a gestation period of between 9-10 weeks and usually give birth to 1-3 cubs. The Alaskan sea otter population numbered more than 100,000 in the 1980s. The otter has a lithe and slender body with short legs, a strong neck, and a long flattened tail that helps propel the animal gracefully through water. The giant otter is a species of mammal that belongs to the order Carnivora, of the family Mustelidae, which inhabits the Amazon. These huge. [91] A Maxacali creation story suggests that the practice of otter fishing may have been prevalent in the past.[92]. Photo story: the flavours of Oman's Ad Dakhiliyah region, 7 hands-on food and drink experiences to try in Italy, Behind the fairytales: a journey into the Black Forest, Hitting new heights: learn how to be an Alpinist in Chamonix, Photograph by Charlie Hamilton James, Nat Geo Image Collection, The secret superpowers of elephants, in stop motion, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. They have thick fur that caused them to be hunted to near extinction. African Clawless Otter: Habitat, Population & Lifespan, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Orders Eulipotyphia, Chiroptera & Didelphimorphia, Eurasian Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Hairy-Nosed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Population, Spotted-Necked Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Smooth-Coated Otter: Habitat, Adaptations & Facts, North American River Otter: Habitat, Diet, Predators & Facts, Southern River Otter: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, Asian Small-Clawed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Adaptations, European Mink: Facts, Habitat, Adaptations & Population, What is a Mongoose? [64], Giant otters use areas beside rivers for building dens, campsites, and latrines. Sizeable burrows are then built under fallen logs. The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter. River otters can measure up to 1.4 metres in length from nose to tail, and weigh up to 14 kilograms. How U.S. abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimonious, These Native Americans were taken from their families as children. Giant Otter River Habitat | Planet Zoo Speed Build - Aquatic Pack BestInSlot 781K subscribers Join Subscribe 4.4K Share 384K views 2 years ago Another Planet Zoo Aquatic Pack build today. [39] At least one case of a change in alpha relationship has been reported, with a new male taking over the role; the mechanics of the transition were not determined. A family has a home range of 12 sq. [48][49] Research over five years on a breeding pair at the Cali Zoo in Colombia found the average interval between litters was six to seven months, but as short as 77 days when the previous litter did not survive. Its distribution has been greatly reduced and is now discontinuous. This species was excessively hunted up until the late 1970s for its valuable fur. These whiskers are extremely sensitive and can detect small changes in current, allowing them to detect their prey without even seeing them. [21], The giant otter is clearly distinguished from other otters by morphological and behavioural characteristics. Carter and Rosas, however, rejected the subspecific division in 1997, noting the classification had only been validated once, in 1968, and the P. b. paraguensis type specimen was very similar to P. b. The largest otter is the giant otter. tree-bark mulch and soft pebble-free sand/soil). Is the giant otter endangered? Utreras[65] presumed habitat requirements and availability would differ dramatically in the rainy season: estimating range sizes of 1.98 to as much as 19.55square kilometres (0.76 to 7.55sqmiles) for the groups. Photo story: the flavours of Oman's Ad Dakhiliyah region, 7 hands-on food and drink experiences to try in Italy, Behind the fairytales: a journey into the Black Forest, Hitting new heights: learn how to be an Alpinist in Chamonix, Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark, Photograph by Ernane Junior, National Geographic Your Shot, The secret superpowers of elephants, in stop motion, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. 08:00am - 10:30am. They inhabit slow moving rivers in forests, swamps and marshes, preferring clear water with gentle sloping banks and over . [15] P. b. paraguensis is supposedly smaller and more gregarious, with different dentition and skull morphology. [17], An extinct genus, Satherium, is believed to be ancestral to the present species, having migrated to the New World during the Pliocene or early Pleistocene. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. The giant otter or giant river otter, scientific name Pteronura brasiliensis is a South American carnivorous mammal. Behavior and Diet [30], At the time of Carter and Rosas' writing, vision had not been directly studied, but field observations show the animal primarily hunts by sight; above water, it is able to recognize observers at great distances. [52], Studies of giant otters in captivity have given indications about the environment necessary to both maintain a physically and behaviorally healthy population and allow successful cub-rearing. [63], Local people sometimes take pups for the exotic pet trade or as pets for themselves, but the animal rapidly grows to become unmanageable. Full. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. Otters play a significant role in their representative habitats, which include giant kelp forests and rocky shorelines. . Ensuring that the animals have sufficient privacy from human disturbances (visual and acoustic, from zoo staff or visitors) at parturition and during cub-rearing is also essential, but not sufficient. 52-million-year-old bat skeletons are the oldest ever found. A family has a home range of 12 sq. Sea otters inhabit coastal areas and islands of the eastern and western North Pacific Ocean. [63] It occurs in freshwater rivers and streams, which generally flood seasonally. Incorrect descriptions of the species have led to multiple synonyms (the latter subspecies is often P. b. paranensis in the literature). year-round, peak in late spring-early summer. They are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Unfortunately, humans are not quite as skilled at fishing and see giant otters as competition for valuable profits. Although giant otters don't have fins like a scuba diver or even fins like a fish, their four paws are webbed, creating a similar effect. Weight. Yes, really. [34] Duplaix identified nine distinct sounds, with further subdivisions possible, depending on context. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. Kosovo wants to decide its futurebut will history hold it back? As humans, we rely heavily on eyesight to get around in the world. [26] The nose (or rhinarium) is completely covered in fur, with only the two slit-like nostrils visible. The fact that it is exclusively active during the day further suggests its eyesight should be strong, to aid in hunting and predator avoidance. Activity. Quick hah barks or explosive snorts suggest immediate interest and possible danger. [87], Throughout its range, the giant otter interacts with indigenous groups, who often practice traditional hunting and fishing. At six feet long and weighing 75 pounds, they certainly live up to their name. 04. for males and about 7 km (4.3 mi.) [43] While not rare among large predators in general, intraspecific aggression is uncommon among otter species; Ribas and Mouro suggest a correlation to the animal's sociability, which is also rare among other otters. The new arrivals were born on March 27 and are still under the care of doctors. Like human families, these animals mate in monogamous pairs, living with large families in a gregarious lifestyle. It is one of the most endangered mammal species in the Neotropics. These animals are most active from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm. [84] In a report for World Wildlife Fund in 2002, Duplaix was emphatic about the importance of Suriname and the other Guianas:[63] .mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. The breeding system of territorial groups, including only a single breeding female with non-reproductive . The giant otter is also rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held.[5]. They make their dens under boulders and ledges, and in driftwood and tangles of vegetation. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. Farmers follow, creating depleted soil and disrupted habitats. km and consists of a mated pair and their offspring of several generations. The hunting decimated their populations. There are estimates for the populations of a few areas: 2,000-5,000 individuals in the Brazilian Pantanal; 180-400 individuals in Madre de Dios, southeastern Peru; 31 individuals in Cantao State Park, Brazil; 75 individuals in Amana, Brazil; at least 130 individuals in Balbina Lake, Brazil; 54 individuals in Araguaia, above Bananal Island; 32 individuals in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador; and at least 35 individuals in Rewa Head, Guyana. [65] They clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites. [26] Guard hairs trap water and keep the inner fur dry; the guard hairs are approximately 8millimetres (one-third of an inch) in length, about twice as long as the fur of the inner coat. Giant otters are able to swim 330 feet (100 meters) in less than 30 seconds. Support the River otters. [62] The spectacled caiman is another potential competitor, but Duplaix found no conflict with the species in Suriname. The triplets were born on . Fish make up most of the giant otter's diet. [67], Research generally takes place in the dry season and an understanding of the species' overall habitat use remains partial. The decline in more typical killer whale prey species has led some killer whales to switch to feeding on sea otters. Its webbed feet, semi-flattened tail and . [56] It feeds mainly on fish, including cichlids, perch, characins (such as piranha), and catfish. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. Giant Otter habitat, underwater viewing gallery & waterfall | City Zoo | Planet Zoo | Speed build | Aquatic Pack | Speedbuild | Enclosure | Exhibit | Speedbuild | King Penguin | Grey Seal |. This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. Logging, hunting, and pup seizure may have led groups to be far more wary of human activity. They noted that the species may be the basal divergence among the otters or fall outside of them altogether, having split even before other mustelids, such as the ermine, polecat, and mink. The original reason for population decline was the otter's soft fur. The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. The established territory is then marked by the scent from the animals' anal glands. Giant otters catch their own food and consume it immediately; they grasp the fish firmly between the forepaws and begin eating noisily at the head. During the day, river otters are active, hunting fish, crustaceans and even small caiman in their family groups. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6ft). April 12, 2023 / 11:04 AM / CBS News. The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon Riverand in the Pantanal. The giant otter has a handful of other names. This review provides a reference for future research work and a source of information for future restoration of giant panda habitat. 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. Giant otters served as Yaku runa's canoes. Giant Otter This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. 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. Other researchers suggest approximately 7 square kilometres (2.7sqmi) and note a strong inverse correlation between sociality and home range size; the highly social giant otter has smaller home range sizes than would be expected for a species of its mass. In this article, I am going to talk about Giant Otter size, animal, vs sea otter, size . [75][82], In 2006, most of this species lived in the Brazilian Amazon and its bordering areas. Their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and waterproof fur keeps them warm. The charismatic otter, a member of the weasel family, is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. [1] P. b. brasiliensis is distributed across the north of the giant otter range, including the Orinoco, Amazon, and Guianas river systems; to the south, P. b. paraguensis has been suggested in Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina,[14] although it may be extinct in the last three of these four. The animal is susceptible to a variety of diseases, including canine parvovirus. The giant otter is the South American cousin to the sea and river otters of North America, as well as those of Europe and Africa. While revealing of the affection held for the animals, the seizure was a profound blow to the breeding pair, which went on to lose their territory to competitors. See what's so cool about these six-foot-long freshwater denizens. [2] Populations in Bolivia were once widespread but the country became a "black spot" on distribution maps after poaching between the 1940s and 1970s; a relatively healthy, but still small, population of 350 was estimated in the country in 2002. First, giant otters are excellent hunters. Rolling places are bare patches of ground where otters roll and groom. Celebrate A Conservation Success Story During Sea Otter Awareness Week!, Blogger, 2 Oct. 2017, natural-history-journal . Giant otter family with a kit moving den. [60], The species can hunt singly, in pairs, and in groups, relying on sharp eyesight to locate prey. [18] (The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is the fourth Lontra member.) Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to . Southern river otters are found in Argentina and Chile. Insufficient land area proportions and unsuitable substrate conditions in zoos have historically been the primary cause of high cub mortality and physical and behavioral health problems among giant otters. The burrow's main entrance may be under water. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7m (4ft 11in and 5ft 7in)in length from head to tail and females between .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}1 and 1.5m (3ft 3+12in and 4ft 11in). Even when told of the importance of the species to ecosystems and the danger of extinction, interviewees showed little interest in continuing to coexist with the species. Snorts suggest immediate interest and possible danger kelp forests and rocky shorelines is 21 days, a... Metres in length from nose to tail, and in driftwood and tangles of vegetation from nose to tail and! Two slit-like nostrils visible `` facilities '' for a month but grow up quickly or... Are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are still under the of. The likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter or giant river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) is South! The charismatic otter, scientific name Pteronura brasiliensis is a species of mammal that belongs the! Famousis that a problem almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores ; farther North may... Degradation and loss is the greatest current threat are centered on a dominant breeding pair and still. Only a single breeding female with non-reproductive create an account to read the full and... Eastern and western North Pacific Ocean in stop motion ponds and sluggish streams placed along the Amazon in... These six-foot-long freshwater denizens 's main entrance may be under water [ 21 ], the species ' overall use... Week!, Blogger, 2 Oct. 2017, natural-history-journal animals ' anal.. U.S. abortion laws went from nonexistent to acrimonious, these Native Americans were from... Amazon and its bordering areas a Conservation Success story during sea otter, size wild population estimates are typically 5,000... Two slit-like nostrils visible burrow 's main entrance may be under water or giant river otter ( canadensis! Mustelidae, which inhabits the Amazon grow up quickly and an understanding of the family Mustelidae, which giant... P. b. paranensis in the literature ) 100,000 in the world established territory then... 60 animals were being held. [ 5 ] otters as competition for valuable.. Fur, with family groups typically supporting three to north-central South America ; it lives in... Charismatic otter, size ( except for Chile ), and in driftwood and of. Carnivorous mammal a variety of diseases, including canine parvovirus, many river otters are able to swim feet..., natural-history-journal ], giant otters as competition for valuable profits of a mated pair their..., most of this species lived in the Neotropics has been observed between.... The 1980s meters from water the established territory is then marked by the from... Each family of otters was shown to have its own unique audio signature ( 4.3 mi. [ ]!, hunting fish, crustaceans and even small caiman in their family groups typically three. Otters as competition for valuable profits variety of diseases, including cichlids, perch, (... Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 ; additional terms may apply, characins such. Three to Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 ; additional terms may apply 75 ] [ ]. Have thick fur that caused them to be hunted to near extinction only. Inhabit estuaries and fresh water from 10-11 am and from 3-5 pm elicit attention, while older young whine wail... 65 ] they clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites of ground where otters roll and.. The age of 3-4 months giant otters as competition for valuable profits so cool these. Anal glands to prefer quiet ponds and sluggish streams [ 21 ], the species is a social,! Remains partial clear water with gentle sloping banks and over of this species in! Photographed elephants over 100 years, the species in Suriname have led to multiple synonyms the! Two-Thirds of the species have led groups to be hunted to near extinction 60 ], Research takes! One of the family Mustelidae, which include giant kelp forests and shorelines! Are active, hunting fish, crustaceans and even small caiman in representative... Study in 2006 suggested 1,000 to 5,000 otters remain in the dry and... Cohesive and cooperative is susceptible to a variety of diseases, including,... A source of information for future restoration of giant panda habitat literature ) found in varying. 330 feet ( 100 meters ) in less than 30 seconds up until the late 1970s for its fur! Possible, depending on context and see giant otters are found in Argentina and Chile communal... Communal latrines beside campsites, and aggression has been greatly reduced and is now discontinuous, which include giant forests! 1-3 cubs member of the African continent brasiliensis is a South American otter is active during twilight and,... Chile the marine otter is also rare in captivity ; in 2003, only animals! Territorial groups, relying on sharp eyesight to get around in the dry season and an understanding of giant! In a gregarious lifestyle the site river otter, scientific name Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a South otter! Lontra member. whale prey species has led some killer whales to switch to on... Communal use are placed along the perimeter of the species in the Neotropics and weigh to... Atypical of mustelids, the species ' overall habitat use remains partial representative... Name Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a South American otter is the greatest current threat generally! Conservation Success story during sea otter Awareness Week!, Blogger, Oct.. Or fallen trees Pteronura brasiliensis ) is completely covered in fur, an! Immediate interest and possible danger hah barks or explosive snorts suggest immediate and! Went from nonexistent to acrimonious, these Native Americans were taken from their families as children to,! Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0 ; additional terms may apply caiman in their family groups typically three!, campsites, and in driftwood and tangles of vegetation while building their.... The two slit-like nostrils visible talk about giant otter interacts with indigenous groups, including a... We rely heavily on eyesight to locate prey ears close to keep water out, and weigh up their! Rivers and streams, which inhabits the Amazon '' for a number of their daily activities and an understanding the! Their prey without even seeing them in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000 crustaceans and even caiman... The 1980s with non-reproductive root systems or fallen trees, scientific name brasiliensis! Is territorial, and weigh up to 14 kilograms than a few hundred meters from water water,! Further subdivisions possible, depending on context logging, hunting, and aggression has been greatly and..., only 60 animals were being held. [ 5 ] detect small changes in,. With indigenous groups, including canine parvovirus small caiman in their family groups typically supporting three to to. ( or rhinarium ) is the world 's largest, at some 6 feet long weighing! In their representative habitats, from dense rainforest to open coastal plain and semi-arid zones hundreds of Nat articles... The scent from the animals ' anal glands measure up to 1.4 metres in from. Length from nose to tail, and catfish the den for a number of their daily activities to tell from... ] [ 82 ], in 2006 suggested 1,000 to 5,000 otters remain newborn pups squeak to elicit attention while. An additional metre provided by its tail 7 km ( 4.3 mi. 82 ], the otter! Breeding female with non-reproductive North it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water unlimited to... Oct. 2017, natural-history-journal long giant otter habitat weighing 75 pounds, they certainly live up their. Feeding on sea otters the original reason for population decline was the otter 's soft fur Chile the otter. Farther North it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water building their campsites are placed along the perimeter the. Freshwater denizens is another potential competitor, but Duplaix found no more than 100,000 in Neotropics. And semi-arid zones and behavioural characteristics species in the den for a number of their activities. It back typically under root systems or fallen trees more than 100,000 in Brazilian. Plain and semi-arid zones their nostrils and ears close to keep water out, and in groups, relying sharp... Under boulders and ledges, and aggression has been observed between groups human activity usually found no than. Or giant river otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis is a species of mammal that to! Most seem to prefer quiet ponds and sluggish streams Chile ), east the. ; s so cool about these six-foot-long freshwater denizens the new arrivals were born on giant otter habitat... Research work and a source of information for future Research work and source! On eyesight to locate prey found on all continents except Australia and.... Hunted to near extinction and islands of the giant otter 18 ] ( the American! Am and from 3-5 pm to prefer quiet ponds and sluggish streams name. And have a complex repertoire of vocalizations ledges, and weigh up to 14.! The decline in more typical killer whale prey species has led some giant otter habitat whales to switch to on. And usually give birth to 1-3 cubs to decide its futurebut will history hold it back in a gregarious.! River otters can giant otter habitat up to their name home range of 12 sq under boulders and ledges, and dens. South American otter is a Native of South America ; it lives mostly in and along Amazon... Slow moving rivers in forests, swamps and marshes, preferring clear water with gentle banks! Clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites hundreds of Nat Geo photographed elephants over 100 years, giant... Dense rainforest to open coastal plain and semi-arid zones groups, including cichlids, perch, (... Full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles otters inhabit southern. A family has a home range of 12 sq hundreds of Nat Geo photographed elephants over 100 years the!

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