Their fur is thick a… It has velvety dark brown hair and light or grayer underparts. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. River otter reaches a length of … They catch prey with their teeth. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. Methods of Collecting Food. The neotropical otter or neotropical river otter is an otter species found in Central America, South America and the island of Trinidad. Southern river otters were vigorously hunted for their pelts throughout the last 100 years. Southern River Otters feed on fish, mollusks, crustaceans and birds. In the United States Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis. The marine otter only lives in saltwater, coastal environments and rarely ventures into freshwater or estuarine habitats. The Southern River Otter is closely related to many other otter species, including the North American River Otter, and the marine otter. A large male may consume as much as 11 kg (25 lb.) They swim using their webbed paws as flippers, and for added speed they will undulate the torso like a dolphin. Environment Agency.) The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. The American mink is a carnivore that feeds on rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs, and birds. Hallo! River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Three other species: southern river otters, neotropical river otters, and marine otters … She is a Senior Research Technician with the Institute of Zoology, the research division of the Zoological Society of London. Deforestation and over-grazing around these settlements have caused desertification. The southern river otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss. The hooded grebe, is a medium-sized grebe found in the southern region of Argentina. The property is vital for the protection of some of the last portions of continuous Patagonian Forest in an almost pristine state and is the habitat for a number of endemic and threatened species of flora and fauna. Human settlements are mainly near water supplies such as rivers or oases. Adults grow to about three feet in length and weigh 10-20lbs. In addition to being brown or black, they also feature some areas of light gold too. Future directions for conserving this species include obtaining better information on the southern river otter's population numbers and locations. Review the size of the southern river otter's geographic range compared to other otters Determine how southern river otters are suited to their natural environment; Practice Exams. The length of the neotropical otter can range from 36–66 centimetres (14–26 in), plus a tail of 37–84 centimetres (15–33 in). By 1911, hunting for the animal's luxurious fur had reduced the sea otter population to fewer than 2000 individuals in the most remote and inaccessible parts of its range. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. It is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and possibly Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Rwanda, or Uganda. Southern river otter (Lontra provocax) images and facts - this gallery includes stock photos of the Southern river otter, which has the smallest geographical range of any other otter species. In the United States Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Captive breeding programs would also be beneficial for this species, to later reintroduce individuals into the areas where they were previously found in. Southern Sea Otter. The River otter is associated with river, lake, pond or marsh habitats, but may make extensive overland excursions from one … Although called a "river otter", it inhabits both marine and freshwater environments. The most widely distributed member of the otter subfamily (Lutrinae) of the weasel family (Mustelidae), it is found in the waterways and coasts of Europe, many parts of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. List of all endangered species (animals & plants). In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers … More to come soon. games and coloring pages! Marshes may also be very important habitat for raising young and as a source of frogs. Lutrinae is a branch of the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, badgers, honey badgers, martens, minks, polecats, and wolverines. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. Japanese otter (Lutra nippon). This is good news for conservation efforts due to the fact that cross genus cloning efforts have come a long way in recent years. Adults grow to about three feet in length and weigh 10-20lbs. Their sleek, streamlined bodies are perfect for diving and swimming. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis . The largest otter is the giant otter. of food daily. The river otter is agile in water and on land, in fact there are two different names for a group of otters - a raft of otters if they are in the water, and a romp of otters if they are on land. Its western boundary coincides with the Chilean border. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. The distribution and habitat, behaviour, and diet of the deer have all been the subject of study. The river otter's eyes and ears are located high on its head for surface swimming. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). They communicate via whistles, twittering noises and spitting sounds, which can be heard at night when it is quiet and still. It is threatened by habitat loss. By land and by sea. The Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. image: cdn1.arkive.org All otters have long, slim, streamlined bodies of extraordinary grace and flexibility, and short limbs; in most cases they have webbed paws. In Peru, the giant river otter is classified as Endangered by the decree, DS 004-2014-MINAGRI. It has velvety dark brown hair and light or grayer underparts. This medium-sized otter's body can grow up to 2.5 ft (70 cm) long, with a tail adding about 16 in (40 cm). Photo by Andrea Westmoreland. Although called a "river otter", it inhabits both marine and freshwater environments. It is one of the driest regions in the country. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. Otters come from Brazil, giant otters share the South American continent with 3 of the 4 local representatives of the genus lontra neotropical river otter, southern river otter, and sea otter. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. The Argentine Monte (NT0802), or Low Monte, is an ecoregion of dry thorn scrub and grasslands in Argentina. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. Otters always wash themselves after every meal. The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a type of otter.It is found in Chile and Argentina.It lives in both saltwater and freshwater environments.It is an endangered species because of poaching, water pollution, and habitat loss.. References They can weigh up to 20 lb. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Three other species: southern river otters, neotropical river otters, and marine otters … (Image credit: U.K. Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest national park in Argentina, established in 1934. Yendegaia National Park is located in Tierra del Fuego in the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region of Chile and contains 150,612 ha of mountainous terrain and Valdivian temperate rain forest. Successive glaciations have molded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes. There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. The vegetation is dominated by dense temperate forests, which give way to alpine meadows higher up under the rocky Andean peaks. Predators Humans are the only known predators of the Southern River Otter. If it appears incomplete or if you wish to see article references, visit the rest of its contents, Eight Inexpensive Ways You Can Help Endangered Species. This otter can dive to 300 feet in search of food. Subspecies There are no subspecies of the Southern River Otter. The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. Large river otter (Lontra provocax). The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft). The largest of the national parks in the region, it has an area of 7,050 km2 (2,720 sq mi), or nearly 2 million acres. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Its feet are equipped with claws and webs for swimming. Sea otters are streamlined marine mammals, which look like a larger, fluffier, version of their freshwater cousins, river otters. The southern river otter is generally brown dorsally, with a lighter, grayer underside. They have both claws and webbed feet that help them in the water and on land. Their sleek, streamlined bodies are perfect for diving and swimming. It is an endangered species because of poaching, water pollution, and habitat loss. She has worked with the endangered Ethiopian wolf, the Serengeti cheetah and the Atlantic salmon. Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) It has velvety dark brown hair and light or grayer underparts. Ecological extinction is "the reduction of a species to such low abundance that, although it is still present in the community, it no longer interacts significantly with other species". This saltwater exclusivity is unlike most other otter species, except for the almost fully aquatic sea otter of the north Pacific. (41 kilograms).The smallest otter is the Asian small-clawed otter, which grows up to 2.9 fee… [5] The results showed signs of the southern river otter were found in 32 of the 275 surveyed sites within the three parks. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. The North American river otter, also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. The continual decrease in prey numbers also causes problems for the southern river otter. It is physically similar to the northern and southern river otter, which occur directly north and south of this species' range. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. Social groups are generally composed of the female and her offspring. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Southern river otters have the smallest range of any otter, and can only be found in southern and central Chile and southern Argentina. In Argentina, it is found along the Andes from Tierra del Fuego all the way to the southern part of … Among freshwater taxa, the Amazonian manatee and river dolphins are completely aquatic and fully dependent on aquatic ecosystems. It can swim and maneuver better than many fish, and swims with only the top of its head out of the water. ... River otters can swim at a speed of 11 kilometers per hour and sea otters swim at a speed of 9 kilometers per hour. A highly distinctive and emblematic feature is its alerce forest; the globally threatened alerce tree is the second longest living tree species in the world. The southern river otter is a rare amphibious mammal that inhabits a limited number of rivers, lakes, canals, and heavily vegetated coastal areas of Chile and Argentina in Patagonia, South America. They typically use … These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. Otter is a common name for a carnivorous mammal in the subfamily Lutrinae. It is an endangered species because of poaching, water pollution, and habitat loss. You will notice that they have extremely long whiskers as well. Habits. Would you like to receive a notice and link when the It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft).Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. Its feet are equipped with claws and webs for swimming. Their habitats also need the root systems of mature trees, as well as fallen tree debris. Breeding After a gestation period of approximately 2 months, Southern River Otters give birth to 1 - 4 cubs. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. Its feet are equipped with claws and webs for swimming. The river otter food chain includes many types of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic plants and roots, eggs, and some small mammals and birds. The biological name is Lontra Canadensis. Species: Southern River and Marine Otter The Southern River Otter is endangered in Chile and has disappeared from its northern range through hunting and loss of suitable habitat (Medina-Vogel et al 2003). Since then, they have not been able to recover due to a number of other threats. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. The Eurasian otter has a diet mainly of fish, and is strongly territorial. After a few bumps, they can slide up to 22 feet on the ice. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. Species: Neotropical, Southern River, Marine and Giant Otter. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. They’re semi-aquatic mammals, which means that they need both land and water habitat to survive. Los Alerces National Park is located in the Andes in Chubut Province in the Patagonian region of Argentina. These propel them through the water at high speeds to help them hunt. River otters and giant otters hunt by using their vibrissae to detect movements of prey in the water. Of the 32 confirmed sites, 31 were of dense forest with thick undergrowth near the shorelines of freshwater systems. They tend … Semiaquatic freshwater taxa include the Baikal seal, which feeds underwater but rests, molts, and breeds on land; and the capybara and hippopotamus which are able to venture in and out of water in search of food. The Valdivian temperate rainforests are characterized by their dense understories of bamboos, ferns, and for being mostly dominated by evergreen angiosperm trees with some deciduous specimens, though conifer trees are also common. North American river otters are semi-aquatic mammals endemic to the U.S. and Canada. Such areas can be made more attractive to otters by establishing “otter havens,” where river banks are planted-up and kept free from human disturbance. One of two mid-sized deer of the Hippocamelus genus, the south Andean deer ranges across the high mountainsides and cold valleys of the Andes. It borders the Alberto de Agostini National Park and Tierra del Fuego National Park. Although the Giant otter is prevalent in the southern part of the Neotropics, especially in the Amazon basin, the Southern river otter is the only species of otter found in Costa Rica. In 2012 IUCN uplisted the species from Endangered to Critically Endangered. [2] Though Argentina began passing legislation in 1960 to outlaw the hunting of the southern river otter, hunting still does occur because of the lack of enforcement. Are you inspired by endangered animals? Can otters use tools? The Eurasian otter, also known as the European otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter, and Old World otter, is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia. Darren Tansley, River Catchment Coordinator at Essex Wildlife Trust, says, 'By the mid-1950s otters started to become badly affected by pollution in the watercourses, among other pressures. The head is broad and somewhat flat with small ears and a powerful, well defined muzzle framed by very long, highly sensitive whiskers, called vibrissae. The species is legally protected both locally and internationally. Breeding may occur in July and August, and the female gives birth to up to 4 pups after a gestation period of 60 days. Its eyes are placed at the top of the head, so it can remain alert whilst the rest of the body is underwater. Although the female and her young will live in family groups, males are usually solitary. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family. The viability of the small remaining population is an outstanding concern to researchers. 10 facts about the giant river otter: The giant river otter is giant, measuring in at 1.5-1.8 m and weighing in at 22-32 kg! The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Otters tend only enter the water to hunt, which most do for 3 to 5 hours a day, or travel. They feature hair that is very dense. The adult male weighs around 11.3 kg (25 lb); while the female weighs up to 8.3 kg (18 lb). There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. 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