world record river otter

Otters have a high metabolism which requires them to consume 15% - 20% of their bodyweight in food each day. If you have seen the elusive river otter in the wild, you are one of the lucky few.At zoos, otters are among the most visited . The female otters do not dig their own dens; instead, they rely on other animals, such as beavers, to provide suitable environments to raise their offspring. Tracks: 3' wide and round in shape. [15][16] The New World river otters originated from the Old World river otters following a migration across the Bering Land Bridge, which existed off and on between 1.8million and 10,000 years ago. They live in riparian zones, often in the same areas as beavers. The muzzle appears broad. Adult river otters weigh 10 to 33 pounds (4.5 to 15 kilograms) and are about 2.5 to 5 feet (76 to 152 centimeters) in length. All Rights Reserved. In contrast the life span for this species in the wild is approximately 8-9 years. Online courses. [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. 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. [40] One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary. [5] At Tierpark Hagenbeck in Germany, long-term pair bonding and individualized mate selection were seen, with copulation most frequently taking place in water. [88], In Suriname, the giant otter is not a traditional prey species for human hunters, which affords some protection. and redhorses (Moxostoma spp. As recently as the mid-1980s, more than 30,000 pelts were harvested annually. In the winter, crayfish made up one-third of the North American river otter's diet. The estrous cycle is 21 days, with females receptive to sexual advances between three and 10 days. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, they eat a prepared meat diet and several types of fish. Before the giant river otter, there was an otter that weighed more than four times the largest living otter species. Otters are playful creatures, frequently seen sliding down riverbanks orburrowing through snow. North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have long, muscular, streamlined bodies with short legs and fully webbed feet bearing non-retractable claws. and over 3 feet long, are found across North America, although their range has been significantly damaged by hunting and habitat loss. 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. Male North American river otters do not seem to be territorial, and newly dispersing males may join established male groups. Despite its common name, the North American river otter is equally comfortable in either coastal marine or freshwater habitats. 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. However, North American river otters remain rare or absent in the southwestern United States. They are extremely easy to hunt, being active through the day and highly inquisitive. All group members may aggressively charge intruders, including boats with humans in them. [34] However, many other studies did not report any findings of North American beaver remains in the scat sampled. [67], Research generally takes place in the dry season and an understanding of the species' overall habitat use remains partial. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Prior to the arrival of the next litter, the North American river otter yearlings venture out in search of their own home ranges.[44]. [25][31], The species possesses 2n= 38 chromosomes.[32]. Subadults leaving in search of new territory find it impossible to set up family groups. [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}. Duplaix documented interaction with the Neotropical otter. 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. [60], The species can hunt singly, in pairs, and in groups, relying on sharp eyesight to locate prey. Enhydriodon Omoensis: The Largest Otter Ever The largest . [36] Other prey consumed by North American river otters includes fruits,[37] reptiles, amphibians, birds (most especially moulting ducks which render the birds flightless and thus makes them easier to capture), aquatic insects, small mammals, and mollusks. The giant otter averages 145 to 180 cm (57-71 in. Life has been unfair to the giant river otter. Parasites, such as the larvae of flies and a variety of intestinal worms, also afflict the giant otter. How Do You Train A Lemur For Voluntary Radiographs? [70], The species has also appeared in the folklore of the region. Because theyare at the top of their food chain, they have few predators. The giant otter's hearing is acute and its sense of smell is excellent. [44][45] Within groups, the animals are extremely peaceful and cooperative. Researchers emphasize that even between groups, conflict avoidance is generally adopted. [45] In 2010, the Colorado Department of Wildlife reported the species, reintroduced in the 1980s, was "thriving" and recommended its protection status be reconsidered. [32] The North American river otters have also been known to catch and consume moulting American wigeon (Mareca americana) and green-winged teal (Anas crecca). April . [20] About one-third of the animal's total length consists of a long, tapered tail. Otters are the largest species of the weasel family measuring in at 3-4 feet long with a 12-18 inch tail. [25] The fur is extremely dense, so much so that water cannot penetrate to the skin. [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. [27] Its velvety feel makes the animal highly sought after by fur traders and has contributed to its decline. These analyses suggest they diverged in the Miocene epoch 23.03 to 5.33million years ago (Mya), which is "much earlier" than indicated in the fossil record. The giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations. The male otter is generally chased away until the young are weaned and old enough to leave the riverbank, at which time they may return and help raise the pups. The smallest river otter is the marine otter, averaging 87 to 115 cm (34-45 in.). [52] Other causes of death include accidents, gastroenteritis, infanticide, and epileptic seizures. River otters are found throughout most of North America from the Rio Grande to Canada and Alaska, except for in arid deserts and the treeless Arctic. [20] Large male North American river otters can exceed a weight of 15 kilograms (33lb). Their playful snow and mud sliding, tail chasing, water play, and snow burrowing activities also serve other purposesthey help strengthen social bonds and let young otters practice hunting techniques. The U.S. is home to two species: the sea otter and the North American river otter. [46] In late 2012, a river otter nicknamed Sutro Sam took up residence around the former site of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, the first river otter sighting in that city in more than half a century. When the mothers have established their domains, they give birth to several kits. 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. [14], In 2021, conservationists at Fundacin Rewilding spotted a wild giant river otter swimming in the Bermejo River in Impenetrable National Park, located in the Chaco province of northeast Argentina. [34] Duplaix identified nine distinct sounds, with further subdivisions possible, depending on context. [1] Otters have recently re-established themselves on Prince Edward Island. ), and other game fish during spawning. [33] Concern over this endangered species has since generated a body of research. When the pups are about two months old and their coats grow in, their mother introduces them to the water. 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. The survival of the giant otter populations in the Guianas is essential to the survival of this endangered species in South America. [55] Trappers in Alberta, Canada commonly assert North American river otters are major predators of North American beavers. 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. [8], The North American river otter was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1777. [25], Giant otter muzzles are short and sloping and give the head a ball-shaped appearance. Little effort has gone into assessing the threat of disease to wild North American river otter populations, so it is poorly understood and documented. [15] P. b. paraguensis is supposedly smaller and more gregarious, with different dentition and skull morphology. [83] Duplaix returned to the country in 2000 and found the giant otter still present on the Kaburi Creek, a "jewel" of biodiversity, although increased human presence and land use suggests, sooner or later, the species may not be able to find suitable habitat for campsites. The species is widely distributed throughout its range. The three Guianas remain the last stronghold of giant otters in South America, with pristine giant otter habitat on some rivers and good giant otter densities overallstill, but for how long? [12], Molecular biological techniques have been used to determine when the river otter and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of South America diverged. Make a donation to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today! [48] The animal reaches sexual maturity at about two years of age and both male and female pups leave the group permanently after two to three years. It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. [37], The giant otter is a highly social animal and lives in extended family groups. [34] Other species of birds found within their diets include: northern pintail (Anas acuta); mallard (Anas platyrhynchos); canvasback (Aythya valisineria); ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis); and the American coot (Fulica americana). [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. [41] One tentative theory for the development of sociality in mustelids is that locally abundant but unpredictably dispersed prey causes groups to form. [10][24][25], Most mustelids, including otters, have 36 specialized teeth, including sharp canines and carnassials that inflict lethal bites to prey. 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. [48], Mothers give birth to furred and blind cubs in an underground den near the river shore and fishing sites. [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. [6] In Spanish, river wolf (Spanish: lobo de ro) and water dog (Spanish: perro de agua) are used occasionally (though the latter also refers to several different animals) and may have been more common in the reports of explorers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is one of the most endangered mammal species in the Neotropics. The North American river otter ( Lontra canadensis), also called the Canadian otter, is the most abundant species of otter.

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