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Giant otter - PTERONURA BRASILIENSES
Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Otter": "Otter" comes from the Old English word "otor," for the animal.
Location: South America.
Habitat: Aquatic. Tropical rivers and lagoons.
Description: In general appearance it resembles other otters, but is larger and more powerful. The tail is flattened vertically and has a ridge on either side. The toes are long with short, strong claws and are joined together by a membrane. The length of the head and body is three to five feet; the tail about 28 inches. They weigh about 50 pounds.
Behavior: Little is known about this species because of the difficulty of observing it. It is active during the day and often gathers in noisy groups. It generally prefers slow-flowing rivers where it hunts, emitting long whistles and shrill cries. It feeds on small mammals, fish, and birds, and any creatures living near the bank. It builds a shelter in the vegetation or among rocks along the riverbank, where it rests and eats.
Reproduction: Not much is known concerning reproductive behavior, except that the female gives birth to one or two young a year.
Note: In many parts of its distribution area this species is endangered, and strict conservation measures are being imposed.
Go to the Carnivore Page to learn more about all the meat-eating animals.
Or go to the Otter Index to study other
otters.
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