16 Facts About Giant otter

Giant otter or giant river otter is a South American carnivorous mammal.

Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members.

The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours.

The giant otter is rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held.

Giant otter fossil remains have been recovered from a cave in the Brazilian Mato Grosso.

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Giant otter is clearly distinguished from other otters by morphological and behavioural characteristics.

Giant otter muzzles are short and sloping and give the head a ball-shaped appearance.

Giant otter is an especially noisy animal, with a complex repertoire of vocalizations.

Giant otter is a highly social animal and lives in extended family groups.

Giant otter is an apex predator, and its population status reflects the overall health of riverine ecosystems.

The giant otter seems to be opportunistic, taking whatever species are most locally abundant.

The giant otter seems to prefer prey fish that are generally immobile on river bottoms in clear water.

The giant otter seems to choose clear, black waters with rocky or sandy bottoms over silty, saline, and white waters.

The smaller neotropical otter is far more shy, less noisy, and less social; at about a third the weight of the giant otter, it is more vulnerable to predation, hence, a lack of conspicuousness is to its advantage.

The neotropical otter is active during twilight and darkness, reducing the likelihood of conflict with the diurnal giant otter.

In Suriname, the giant otter is not a traditional prey species for human hunters, which affords some protection.