Giant Otter

General information

Found in South America, Giant River Otters are the largest of the 13 species of otter reaching up to 6ft in length. Although mostly covered with dark chocolate coloured short fur, they do have a distinctive cream coloured throat patch. This throat patch can work as an identifier, as no two will be the same. Their fur is dense and extremely luxurious with two layers and the outer layer is made up of their guard hairs which protect the second layer and skin from the water. The inner layer is short and dense for warmth. 

Extremely well adapted for swimming in the rivers, Giant Otters have the ability to close their nose and ears while diving under the water, use their whiskers to feel vibrations, have extremely webbed feet for paddling and a muscular flat long tail to use as a rudder. So, as incredibly agile swimmers, the Giant Otter can swim 330ft in less than 30 seconds.

They eat up to 5 kg of fish per day but will also eat crabs, small caiman and small anaconda.They live in family groups of 15 to 20 otters and are the most vocal of all the otters as they keep in contact with their group by constant chatter. They are an extremely territorial species that mark out and patrol their territory, where they will have created a den by digging into the riverbank or under fallen logs.