Giant Otter

Pteronura brasiliensis

Very rareMammal

The Giant Otter is the world's largest otter, reaching up to six feet in length, and is found in South America with its northern range limit approaching Panama. It is a highly social mustelid that hunts cooperatively in family groups of up to eight individuals. Historically extirpated from much of its range by hunting, it is now listed as Endangered with perhaps 5,000 individuals surviving.

Habitat

Slow-moving rivers and oxbow lakes in tropical South America

Diet

Fish, crabs, and aquatic vertebrates

How common

Very rare

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