[26] Additional premolars may be present. I didnt even know it was possible to see river otters here, he said. 2 3 In a single dive, a river otter can travel as. Low 49F. Its pretty crazy to be lucky enough to see one.. [44][45] Within groups, the animals are extremely peaceful and cooperative. [62] The spectacled caiman is another potential competitor, but Duplaix found no conflict with the species in Suriname. A wavering scream may be used in bluff charges against intruders, while a low growl is used for aggressive warning. Two subspecies are currently recognized by the canonical Mammal Species of the World, P. b. brasiliensis and P. b. paraguensis. [1], Lontra canadensis is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). John Hartig, a visiting scholar at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research who focuses on pollution cleanup in the Great Lakes, confirmed the rarity of Ste Maries sighting. River otters will achieve maturity between the ages of two and three, while female sea otters mature between ages three and five, and males even later between ages five and seven. [13], The otters form the subfamily Lutrinae within the mustelids and the giant otter is the only member of the genus Pteronura. Their small heads widen to long necks and shoulders, and they have flattened, well-muscled tails. The species was so thoroughly decimated, the number dropped to just 12 in 1971. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs[3]), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. Well suited for an aquatic life, it can close its ears and nose while underwater. The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis ), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that only lives on the North American continent, along its waterways and coasts. Chasing is also a common game. [34][36][54], Records of North American otters preying upon North American beavers (Castor canadensis) vary; it has been reported in the southern boreal forest of Manitoba. Solon doesn't even seem to mind that in the 2019-2020 season, 256 otters were harvested in 38 counties of Ohio, the highest modern-day harvest on record. Organize or attend a stream, river, lake or other waterway cleanup in your area to preserve aquatic habitats for local species. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). Unlike most otter habitats around the world, it is thought that the Pacific north coast still supports a thriving otter population. However, sea otters are acclimated to salt water, and come to shore only for occasional rest periods and to give birth. )[78] The animal sometimes drowns in nets set across rivers and machete attacks by fishermen have been noted, according to Duplaix, but "tolerance is the rule" in Suriname. [48], Mothers give birth to furred and blind cubs in an underground den near the river shore and fishing sites. The otters migrated to North America and southwards again across the Panamanian Land Bridge, which formed 3Mya. And new research on the patterns of the hunting trade has revealed how the giant otter's biology, including its monogamous tendencies and boisterous social lifestyle, may have undermined its. 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. In comparison, river otters can be found in fresh, brackish, or salt water, and can travel overland for . Parasites, such as the larvae of flies and a variety of intestinal worms, also afflict the giant otter. 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. [65] They clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites. One report found between three and eight campsites, clustered around feeding areas. Freshwater otters generally rest and sleep on land, which can be either in their dens or above . Otter fur is dark brown, short, and dense (hundreds of hairs/square inch) creating a smooth, sleek body and tail. Defence against intruding animals appears to be cooperative: while adult males typically lead in aggressive encounters, cases of alpha females guarding groups have been reported. [20] Litter size can reach five, but usually ranges from one to three. [55], The longest documented giant otter lifespan in the wild is eight years. The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. [5] Other sources have found greater intervals, with as long as 21 to 33 months suggested for otters in the wild. North American river otter inhabitation is affected by type, distribution, and density of aquatic habitats and characteristics of human activities. [48] Pups open their eyes in their fourth week, begin walking in their fifth, and are able to swim confidently between 12 and 14 weeks old. [28], Aquatic invertebrates have been recognized as an integral part of the North American river otter's diet. [53], During the winter and spring, when the water levels were higher, North American river otters had a greater tendency to prey upon crayfish (73% of scats had crayfish remains) rather than fish. [47], Suriname still has significant forest cover and an extensive system of protected areas, much of which protects the giant otter. 2:00 AM EDT, Sat May 7, 2022. 2023 Cable News Network. Their dense, short under-fur is overlain by darker, coarse guard hairs that help repel water. One report suggests maximum areas 28m (92ft) long and 15m (49ft) wide, well-marked by scent glands, urine, and feces to signal territory. When in the water, the giant otter faces danger from animals not strictly preying upon it: the electric eel and stingray are potentially deadly if stumbled upon, and piranha may be capable of at least taking bites out of a giant otter, as evidenced by scarring on individuals. . Pups grow rapidly and emerge from the den at about 2 months of age. In other otter species, vision is generally normal or slightly myopic, both on land and in water. Other water habitats include freshwater springs and permanent freshwater lakes. Females are roughly one-third the size of males. [70], Even if without direct predation, the giant otter must still compete with other predators for food resources. Tracks: 3' wide and round in shape. ). The species is widely distributed throughout its range. As it dove, it didnt have the flattened tail like a beaver, which leaves otter as the only possibility, he explained. Let's meet the 440-pound otter, the largest otter that ever lived. These include providing at least the minimum recommended land-to-water area ratio, and that all enclosure land surfaces (both artificial and natural) are nearly entirely covered with the recommended substrate conditions (e.g. [23], Like other otters, the North American river otter lives in a holt, or den, constructed in the burrows of other animals, or in natural hollows, such as under a log or in river banks. But cleanup efforts in the past few decades have paved the way for the otters return to the river. [53] However, when water levels are lower, crayfish will seek out shelter while fish become more highly concentrated and susceptible to predation. However, waterpollution, uncontrolled trapping and severe habitat loss have reduced the number of river otters. North America's largest North American river otter populations were found in areas with an abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats, such as coastal marshes, the Great Lakes region, and glaciated areas of New England. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. Today, accidental trappings in beaver traps constitute the most otter fatalities. [68], Adult giant otters living in family groups have no known serious natural predators, however there are some accounts of black caimans in Peru and yacare caimans in the Pantanal preying on giant otters. Discovery Company. Although it holds the title of being the world's longest weasel, it's classified as endangered. The most severe population declines occurred in interior regions where fewer aquatic habitats supported fewer otter populations. [50] Fish species frequently found in the diets of the North American river otters include: Catostomidae, which consists of suckers (Catostomus spp.) [34] Duplaix identified nine distinct sounds, with further subdivisions possible, depending on context. [32][50] Susceptibility of these species is greatest during the summer (when waterfowl broods are vulnerable) and autumn. "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. [45] The giant otter seems to prefer prey fish that are generally immobile on river bottoms in clear water. ), and other game fish during spawning. [16] Their main requirements are a steady food supply and easy access to a body of water. Reintroduction projects have been particularly valuable in restoring populations in many areas of the United States.