The Giant Otter in Tambopata - Facts about Endangered Mammals in Peru

The Giant Otter

A few facts about one of the most endangered mammals in Peru. 

 

 

●      This playful mammal grows to be 1.5 to 2 meters long (5 to 6.5 feet) and weighs around 25 to 32 kilograms (55 to 70 pounds), making it the largest in the otter family.  They exist in only in isolated tropical regions of South America in bodies of water with slow current such as rivers, creeks and lakes. 

 

●      The Giant Otter has no serious predators but competes with other species (such as caiman) for food.  They feed mostly on large fish but will also consume other vertebrates such as snakes and small caiman.  An adult giant otter eats approximately 4kg (almost 9 lbs) of fish per day!!!

 

●      This mammal has extremely sensitive whiskers which they use to detect changes in water pressure and currents, helping them to be quite effective in hunting prey.

 

●      Giant otters live in strongly cohesive family groups of 4 to 9 individuals.  When an adult gives birth to pups the family is highly protective of them, defending them against predators such as the Black Caiman or Jaguar. 

 

●      The species first became threatened in the 1960’s when an enormous number were hunted for their water-repelling hides. From 1946 to 1973 more than 24,000 skins were exported from the Peruvian Amazon and 20,000 from the Brazilian Amazon, as it was legal during that time.  Afterwards, very few families remained.  The department of Madre de Dios, Peru only harbors 150 individuals. 

 

●      The main risk to the species these days is habitat loss due to logging and farming.  Despite efforts to protect them, their numbers are dropping each year.  Ecotourism is an important part of the protection of this beautiful mammal as it funds research, raises awareness of the species and protects their precious habitats. 

 

Upon your next visit to Tambopata, you may be lucky enough to see these spectacular creatures.