The Giant River Otter

The Giant River Otter is a member of the mustelidae or the weasel family. They are the largest and most recognizable of the otter species. Living in the slow moving waters of the rainforests in South America, these incredible mammals grow the lengths of six feet and weigh up to 100 pounds, with males being slightly larges than the females.

The coat of the Giant River Otter is very dense and has a velvety texture to it. The guard hairs are slightly longer than the under fur and they trap water to prevent the skin from getting wet. Their thick, dark brown coat with white markings on the throat, are very popular among fur traders.

They have smooth, round heads, little ears and large observant eyes. Their legs are short with webbed feet that have sharp claws at the end. The Giant River Otters tail is flattened yet very muscular and powerful. Their webbed feet and strong tails make it possible for them to swim and move easily though the water.

The Giant River Otter is a vocal and social creature. They live and hunt in groups of 10 to 20 otters. They create homes under fall long and in riverbanks. If necessary, they will use aggression to defend their home.

Since they spend most of their time in the water, this is were they get their food. They mostly eat fish such as perch or catfish, but will also eat small snakes, crabs, crustaceans and caimans. To open shellfish, the Giant River Otter uses a rock to hit the shell until it cracks open.

When a Giant River Otter reaches two years of age, they are old enough to breed. Only one female in a group gives birth, this is the dominate female. The other otters in the group help care for the pup for the first few years of its life.

After a 70-day or so gestation period, a female Giant River Otter gives birth to one to five pups. On an average, they give birth to two pups. For the first month or so, pups will stay in their den. At two month they learn to swim and start going on hunts, although hey rely on their mothers milk until around five month of age. They stay with the group until they reach sexual maturity they go off to find a mate. Some return to the group, while others will begin one of their own.

The biggest threat to the Giant River Otter is not another animal, but people. The otters were hunted constantly for their fur. Each fur sold was a years worth of wages in South America. By the 1970's the Giant River Otter was nearly extinct. Aside from hunting them, people are destroying their habitats. Rainforests are being cut down for development and farming reasons, destroying the homes where the otters live. Over fishing and water pollution are also having damaging effects on the Giant River Otter population.

The giant River Otter has been listed as Endangered and today there are only between 2000 and 5000 in the wild. Unfortunately, even with the law protecting them, they are still being killed.

sources:
peruperu.com
www.otternet.com

en.wikipedia.orgwww.angelfire.comwww.bbc.co.uk