Species MammalsSouthern River Otter

Southern River Otter

Lontra provocax

Very rareMammal
Illustration of Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax)

The Southern River Otter is a critically endangered otter of southern South America, mentioned here as part of the Lontra genus that includes the North American River Otter. Its nearest North American relative, the marine otter, occupies Pacific coastal habitats in South America. The southern river otter faces threats from illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss.

Habitat
Cold rivers and estuaries of southern Chile and Argentina
Diet
Fish, crustaceans, and mollusks
How common
Very rare

Not certain it is a Southern River Otter? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Southern River Otter sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Southern River Otter? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Southern River Otter is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Southern Short-tailed Shrew
Southern Short-tailed Shrew
Blarina carolinensis
Southern Spiny Pocket Mouse
Southern Spiny Pocket Mouse
Heteromys australis
Southern Spotted Skunk
Southern Spotted Skunk
Spilogale angustifrons
Southwestern Myotis
Southwestern Myotis
Myotis auriculus
Sowerby's Beaked Whale
Sowerby's Beaked Whale
Mesoplodon bidens
Spectral Bat
Spectral Bat
Vampyrum spectrum
Sperm Whale
Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Spinner Dolphin
Spinner Dolphin
Stenella longirostris