giant river otter size comparison to human

This article will refer to the twelve species of river otter, information about sea otters can be viewed here.Read on to learn about the otter. River otters eat 15% to 20% of their total body weight each day. Giant otters are an endangered species living in the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems in large, gregarious families. It is speculated that the Otter as we know it today may have evolved significantly about 7 million years ago. It can grow to nearly six feet in length—the size of a pony. The locomotory adaptations of the Giant otter shrew, combined with the loss of the clavicle, indicate the extreme specialism of P. velox and its deviation from the ancestral tenrecid body plan (Kingdon, 1974). We recorded five wild and three captive giant otter groups. The body of giant sea otter can grow and reach the number of 1.7 m with 32 kg of weight. There are 13 species of otters, in seven genera, according to Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). A third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, protects the eye and allows the otter to see when swimming underwater. 17. The other two clawless otters are similar in size to river otters. They catch prey with their teeth. Archived. There is scientific evidence to suggest Otters have been on Earth for the past 23 million years. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) Description The otter is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) found in South Carolina. If an otter feels threatened, its heavy, muscular body and sharp claws are enough to overpower pets and small children. Otter “Ears and nostrils close when underwater; whiskers aid in locating prey.” Close. The giant otter is the largest and the second heaviest (the sea otter is the heaviest) of the Mustelidae or weasel family. They come in many sizes. And the giant river otters are the longest. Unlike the giant river otters these guys only have partially webbed front paws which allows them to grasp more effectively almost like human fingers. The Asian small clawed otters are the smallest otters in the world. Otters Physical Characteristics Size 1. There are historical accounts of male giant river otters that grew to be over seven feet in length. In 2013 a woman from Montana claimed she needed eight stitches to her head after being attacked by an otter while tubing on the Madison river. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. River otters have long, stiff and highly sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and capturing prey. They are found in all parts of the world, except Australia and Antarctica. Some species are found primarily on land, while others, like the otters, are found in freshwater and marine environments. Sea otters live in large colonies, but river otters tend to stay in small family groups. Top predators: Because of the size and the diet, Giant River Otters are top predators in the Amazon being the only competitors the black caiman, anacondas, or a jaguar. Size. Most species have long, cylindrical bodies and short legs. The smallest river otter is the marine otter, averaging 87 to 115 cm (34-45 in.). On the IUCN Red List, the species is listed as Vulnerable (VU). The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal, it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. Study sites and study animals. Males are from 4.9 to 5.6 ft (1.5 to 1.7 m) and females from 3.3 to 4.9 ft (1 to 1.5 m). Sea otters eat about 25% to 30% of their weight. and 3 to 14 kg (7-31 lb.). Otters belong to a mammalian family including the weasel, badger, marten and mink. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest of all otters, measuring 65 to 94 cm (26-37 in.) The otter's ears and nostrils close underwater. Appearance. They are found in diverse habitats. animals.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animal... 791 comments. For that to occur though humans need to accept responsibility for what they have done over the course of time. The giant otter usually easier to be found along the Amazon River and Pantanal. The future of many species of Otters has almost been destroyed due to selfishness on the part of humans. Posted by 7 years ago. Almonte 503 1995) and the research suggest they have complex vocal systems. save. Like most wildlife, otters may be hostile when confronted. But what they lack in size they make up for in manual dexterity. 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. The spatial overlap of giant otters with human fishing sites is the most likely explanation for the positive association between these two variables and may account for the conflicts between this species and human activities that were observed in other areas (Gómez and Jorgenson, 1999, Recharte et al., 2008, Rosas-Ribeiro et al., 2012). The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal in the weasel family.While it may simply be called the "river otter" in North America (to distinguish it from the sea otter) there are other river otter species throughout the world. share. The gait of sea otters on land is somewhat clumsy, but river otters can sprint short distances at high speed. An adult North American river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). Otters can transmit rabies to humans and pets. River otters range in size from about 87 to 153 cm (34-60 in.) The discovery sheds light on how otters … Below is the generic otter-human size comparison. The pests can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 30 pounds. River otters also have long, muscular tails unlike their sea counterparts. Different otter species vary in size. In order for them to survive all of this time, Otters … Methods of Collecting Food. report. The giant otter is the longest of the otter species but shares a similar weight with the sea otter.Male giant otters can attain a length of 1.5-1.7m (4.9-5.6ft). Females are smaller at 1-1.5m (3.3-4.9ft). Male giant otters average 26 to 34 kg (57-75 lbs. Otters and Humans Relationship. Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) 493.5 Newton. Ecological niche. Adult otters measure 35 to 55 inches in length, about one-third of which is tail. 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