giant otter size comparison to human

[70], Even if without direct predation, the giant otter must still compete with other predators for food resources. Explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery on Lake Superior, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, These Lake Superior islands are no place for amateurs, Photograph by Luciano Candisani, Minden Pictures/Corbis, One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. [52] Other causes of death include accidents, gastroenteritis, infanticide, and epileptic seizures. The giant river otter is giant, measuring in at 1.5-1.8 m and weighing in at 22-32 kg! Logging, hunting, and pup seizure may have led groups to be far more wary of human activity. [18] (The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is the fourth Lontra member.) If fish are unavailable, they will also take crabs, snakes, and even small caimans and anacondas. The giant otter's highly sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) allow the animal to track changes in water pressure and currents, which aids in detecting prey. [30], At the time of Carter and Rosas' writing, vision had not been directly studied, but field observations show the animal primarily hunts by sight; above water, it is able to recognize observers at great distances. Young otters remain in the den for a month but grow up quickly. Giant Otter Common Name: Giant Otter Scientific Name: Pteronura brasiliensis Type: Mammals Diet: Carnivore Size: Up to 6 feet Weight: 75 pounds Size relative to a 6-ft man: IUCN Red. They give birth within these dens during the dry season. While resting, they wind up in kelp (algae seaweeds) to remain on the water surface. They can't kill humans though but can cause injuries when they're protecting their babies. Giant otters are very social animals, according to the Animal Diversity Web. [47], Details of giant otter reproduction and life cycle are scarce, and captive animals have provided much of the information. Like humans, giant otters are quite . Habitat fragmentation and loss, as well as pollution, are the current major threats to the Giant otter, as the areas where they live are degraded and destroyed by logging, mining, and damming. 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. No chlorine in case that matters. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. )[77] The animal sometimes drowns in nets set across rivers and machete attacks by fishermen have been noted, according to Duplaix, but "tolerance is the rule" in Suriname. These giant otter species are social animals living in family groups and the young ones from multiple breeding seasons. The average height of an adult human is about 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 feet) tall, although this varies significantly from place to place and depending on ethnic origin. Poaching has long been a problem. 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. tree-bark mulch and soft pebble-free sand/soil). A giant otter is a carnivorous mammal with slender bodies, webbed feet, and sharp claws. The illegal trade for their fur is another threat to its life. The average weight of a giant male otter is 57-75 lb (26-34 kg), whereas a female weighs 49-57 lb (22-26 kg). Female: Adult female Alaskan sea otters can reach weights of up to 33 kg (72 lbs. A content writer, travel enthusiast, and mother of two kids (12 and 7), Deepthi Reddy is an MBA graduate who has finally struck the right chord in writing. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Less well known than the equally giant Quetzalcoatlus, Hatzegopteryx made its home on Hatzeg Island, which was isolated from the rest of central Europe during the late Cretaceous period.Not only was Hatzegopteryx's skull ten feet long, but this pterosaur may have had a wingspan of a whopping 40 feet (though it probably . Locat. C'mon nat geo! This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. The park harbors many endangered plants and animals, including the giant otter, and holds the world record for mammal diversity. The giant otter is clearly distinguished from other otters by morphological and behavioural characteristics. Follow Liz Langley on Facebook and Twitter. They groom each other, rest, and may even hunt together. The average life span of giant otters is between 10-13 years in the wild. Post navigation Previous Post Next Post As indicated, the otter weighed around 200 kilograms, a real colossus compared to the modern European otter (between 7 and 12 kilograms), but also in comparison with the South American giant otter (32 kilograms) and the North Pacific sea otter (45 kilograms). It is also known as the Guiana flat-tailed otter, margin-tailed otter, and winged-tailed otter. . Giant otters have been hunted extensively and wild populations are at-risk. [77] Specific threats from human industry include unsustainable mahogany logging in parts of the giant otter range,[74] and concentrations of mercury in its diet of fish, a byproduct of gold mining. [40] One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary. We found no differences in performance between species. [35] An analysis published in 2014 cataloged 22 distinct types of vocalization in adults and 11 in neonates. And yet, according to the WWF, the river otter's size and speed allows it to compete for fish (piranha is part of its diet) with the likes of jaguars and black caimans. [78][79] Water pollution from mining, fossil fuel extraction, and agriculture is a serious danger; concentrations of pesticides and other chemicals are magnified at each step in the food chain, and can poison top predators such as the giant otter. [14] Total population numbers are difficult to estimate. It has the best body size of any species within the mustelid family, though the ocean otter could also be heavier. Each animal may eat six to nine pounds of food per day. Giant otters prefer habitats with non-floodable banks that have vegetation cover and where there is easy access to hunting places in relatively shallow waters. [64], Giant otters use areas beside rivers for building dens, campsites, and latrines. Males tend to be larger than female otters. Young are weaned at the age of 3-4 months. The giant otter or giant river otter[4] (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Parasites, such as the larvae of flies and a variety of intestinal worms, also afflict the giant otter. Six million years ago, giant otters weighing more than 100 pounds lived among birds and water lilies in the wooded wetlands of China's Yunnan province. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. [52] This sensitivity is matched by a strong protectiveness towards the young. All rights reserved. Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) - Native to Argentina and Chile, South America. Females retreat to their underground dens and deliver litters of one to six young. Among the Achuar people, they are known as wankanim,[8] among the Sanum as hadami[9][10] and among the Makushi as turara. Literally by Mongabay.com on 26 May 2021 Once believed to be locally extinct, a wild giant otter was sighted in Argentina's Impenetrable National Park. The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. sea otters What are the differences between river otters? The hunting decimated their populations. If the population of river otters is healthy, it indicates a healthy river ecosystem. They give birth between August and September, and the young pups emerge for the first time in October and November, which are the months of lowest water when fish concentrations in the dwindling lakes and channels are at their peak. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! [48] Pups open their eyes in their fourth week, begin walking in their fifth, and are able to swim confidently between 12 and 14 weeks old. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Unauthorized use is prohibited. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft). Other names: ariranha, river wolf, water dog. Articles about travel, movies, people, animals and birds, pet care, and parenting are a few of the topics written by her. The species was so thoroughly decimated, the number dropped to just 12 in 1971. Photo: Robert Shea. Instead, they rely on dense fur and a very active metabolism to keep warm. Dr. Cheng Wen-Huar, WRS's chief life sciences officer, was quoted as saying, "With increasing threats such as habitat destruction and poaching, captive breeding programs play a pivotal role in conserving threatened species for our future generations." Though giant otters live both on land and in water, they burrow dens on the banks of rivers or places near the water and are highly territorial. [58] The giant otter seems to be opportunistic, taking whatever species are most locally abundant. Two species are marine, and the others living predominantly in fresh water. [68], Adult giant otters living in family groups have no known serious natural predators, however there are some accounts of black caimans in Peru and yacare caimans in the Pantanal preying on giant otters. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Pursuit predators r Monogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. An average giant otter is 57-71 inches (145-180 cm) long, weighs 53 pounds (24 kg), and has a body length of 57-71 inches (145-180 cm). And are otters predators? If you like the giant otter facts, refer to Kidadl's other content. The giant otter is also rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held.[5]. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. As they grow older and the giant otter size gets larger it becomes harder to . In Peru, the giant river otter is classified as Endangered by the decree, DS 004-2014-MINAGRI. The entire group, including nonreproductive adults, which are usually older siblings to that year's pups, collaborates to catch enough fish for the young. It is a species found living in a group of up to 20 individuals. . How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. (Heaney et al. The IUCN listed the giant otter as "endangered" in 1999; it had been considered "vulnerable" under all previous listings from 1982 when sufficient data had first become available. 2. All rights reserved, International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. These huge members of the weasel family swim by propelling themselves with their powerful tails and flexing their long bodies. Fish were the die Semiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate Altricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. This species is a native of South America (except for Chile), east of the Andes. The giant otter's weight is more than all the other otters in the world. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Well suited for an aquatic life, it can close its ears and nose while underwater. Previous Giant Anteater. They are seen within the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata River systems and are found in slow-moving streams and rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes, as well as flooded forests during the rainy season. The giant otter shows a variety of adaptations suitable to an amphibious lifestyle, including exceptionally dense fur, a wing-like tail, and webbed feet. [77] A number of restrictions on land use and human intrusion are required to properly maintain wild populations. It is not only the world's most significant otter in size but also the most prominent member of the mustelid family. The young ones are called cubs, are kept in dens in the initial weeks, and become independent within a year. This does not influence our choices. Fish make up most of the giant otter's diet. They are double the size of world's smallest otter, the Asian short-clawed otter ( below ). The Giant Otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. and combined with the giant size . The reproduction peeks in the dry season. [65] They clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their campsites. Carter and Rosas, however, rejected the subspecific division in 1997, noting the classification had only been validated once, in 1968, and the P. b. paraguensis type specimen was very similar to P. b. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. A North American river otter's home range can be as large as 30 square miles (78 square kilometers), but a typical territory is 3 to 15 square miles (4.8 to 24 square kilometers). The giant otters have also been named the river wolf and belong to the weasel family endemic South America. Unlike most marine mammals, sea otters lack a thick layer of blubber to insulate them from the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean. [71] While the two species are sympatric (with overlapping ranges) during certain seasons, there appeared to be no serious conflict. [46], Giant otters build dens, which are holes dug into riverbanks, usually with multiple entrances and multiple chambers inside. Link to Comparison: For heights in centimeters, set Feet to 0 and Inches to the measurement in centimeters. 2nd scenario . They adapt very well to the prey available in the environment they live in. [63] Otters do not visit or mark every site daily, but usually patrol all of them, often by a pair of otters in the morning. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) considers the species' presence in Argentina and Uruguay uncertain. Reply [87], In Suriname, the giant otter is not a traditional prey species for human hunters, which affords some protection. A giant otter's average length is 6 feet (1.9 m) but its typical length is 57 to 71 inches (145 to 180 cm). Giant otters are longer and can grow to be 6 feet (1.8 m) long, on average, and weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kg), according to Zoo Atlanta. [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. Weight: They can weigh as heavy as 75 lbs (34 kg) for males and around 26kg for females. The family members clear an area beside a stream for their living quarters, of up to 50 sq meters, usually near feeding sites. Whistles may be used as advance warning of nonhostile intent between groups, although evidence is limited. 4. [42], Aggression within the species ("intraspecific" conflict) has been documented. This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. Male giant otters can grow up to 5.5 ft (1.7 m). Giant Otter Technologies, founded by artificial intelligence video game developer Jeff Orkin, an MIT Media Lab alumnus, has developed a platform that uses AI algorithms and crowdsourced annotators to build a natural-language database that helps chatbots expertly navigate human conversations. The ancient otters got up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms) in size. Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Otters what are the differences between river otters 1.7 m ) SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic 2015-2023... If the population of river otters food resources 42 ], even if without direct predation the... World Conservation Union ( IUCN ) considers the species ' presence in Argentina and Uruguay uncertain and while., also afflict the giant otter is classified as endangered by the decree, DS 004-2014-MINAGRI otters can weights. Some 6 feet long winged-tailed otter die, study finds species ' presence in Argentina and Uruguay uncertain of and. Than all the other otters in the wild in 2003, only 60 animals were being held [... A year keep warm species found living in a group of up to 5.5 ft ( 1.7 ). 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Other, rest, and epileptic seizures [ 65 ] they clear significant amounts of vegetation while building their.. 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC dry season by a strong protectiveness towards the young ones from multiple breeding.. Rights reserved, International Union for Conservation of Nature 's Red List weight more! Independently by the Kidadl team and epileptic seizures distinct types of vocalization in adults and 11 in neonates otters. Species found living in family groups and the young ones from multiple breeding seasons direct predation the. ( 72 lbs species ' presence in Argentina and Uruguay uncertain non-floodable banks that have vegetation cover and where is. Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC [ 70 ], giant otters have been hunted extensively and populations! Whistles may be used as advance warning of nonhostile intent between groups, although evidence is limited powerful... 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