Breeding After a gestation period of approximately 2 months, Southern River Otters give birth to 1 - 4 cubs. In the United States Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act. and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. The Southern river otter is a unique component of the Neotropical ecosystem. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. Their habitats also need the root systems of mature trees, as well as fallen tree debris. And you definitely don’t want to mess with giant otters, just check out this clip below! They include the various marine mammals who dwell in oceans, as well as various freshwater species, such as the European otter. It surrounds Nahuel Huapi Lake in the foothills of the Patagonian Andes. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. Predators Humans are the only known predators of the Southern River Otter. These results suggest having shoreline vegetation for cover is vital for their survival. River Otter (Lutra canadensis) What they look like: The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps them warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. The sea otter was once abundant in a wide arc across the North Pacific ocean, from northern Japan to Alaska to Mexico. River otters spend two-thirds of the time on land. They tend … List of all endangered species (animals & plants). Southern river otters, Lontra provocax, are only found in central and southern Chile and parts of Argentina. While otters completely disappeared from the rivers of most of central and southern England in just 50 years, their future now looks much brighter. River otters belong to the weasel family. Species: Neotropical, Southern River, Marine and Giant Otter. The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. The Valdivian Coastal Range has a healthy population on the Marine otte… There are 13 otter species: giant, marine, sea, hairy-nosed, smooth-coated, speckle-throated, northern river, southern river, neotropical river, African clawless, Congo clawless, Asian small-clawed and Eurasian. The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. She has worked with the endangered Ethiopian wolf, the Serengeti cheetah and the Atlantic salmon. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance. As they swim, their slightly flattened tail steers them through the water like a rudder on a boat, which gives the otters excellent control over their movements. This article is only an excerpt. River otters are long-bodied, well-muscled animals, with relatively short legs, five webbed toes on all four feet, (most carnivores have 4 toes on the rear foot), and a long flat tail used as a rudder in the water. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. Los Alerces National Park is located in the Andes in Chubut Province in the Patagonian region of Argentina. Southern river otters have the smallest range of any otter, and can only be found in southern and central Chile and southern Argentina. 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. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest national park in Argentina, established in 1934. This otter can dive to 300 feet 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. The level of dependence on aquatic life varies greatly among species. River otters are smaller than their cousins, the sea otters. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Of the 32 confirmed sites, 31 were of dense forest with thick undergrowth near the shorelines of freshwater systems. In addition to being brown or black, they also feature some areas of light gold too. This distinction goes to the sea otter. The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a type of otter. It is part of the Neotropical ecozone. This tail serves to propel the otters through water. The southern river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats, but are mostly found in freshwater lakes and rivers having a significant amount of dense vegetation, especially along the shorelines, which must be present to use as cover. Their diets include fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and birds. Adults can reach an average body length of 22 to 28 inches with a tail length of 14 to 18 inches. Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park is located in Los Lagos Region, Llanquihue Province, of Chile. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. In 2012 IUCN uplisted the species from Endangered to Critically Endangered. The otter's ears and nostrils close underwater. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. 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. There are 13 species of otter found all around the world. It is the animal most frequently farmed for its fur, exceeding the silver fox, sable, marten, and skunk in economic importance. The mink was introduced into this area and is thought to compete with the southern river otter for food resources and habitat space. They can weigh up to 20 lb. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. 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. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. This causes the otters to move to other freshwater systems to hunt for food. Environment Agency.) In the United States Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The Valdivian temperate forests (NT0404) is an ecoregion on the west coast of southern South America, in Chile and extending into Argentina. Several surveys and studies have been performed on the southern river otter to better understand its declining population numbers to be able to prevent the species from becoming extinct. Males weigh up to 90 lbs. The Marine Otter is declining with important populations on Isla Catchagua in central Chile and Chiloe island to the south. Amphibious, muscular river otters swim gracefully and quickly underwater to catch prey, and they can run on land. 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. Metabolism. You will notice that they have extremely long whiskers as well. Otter is a common name for a carnivorous mammal in the subfamily Lutrinae. River Otter (Lutra canadensis)What they look like: The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps them warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. The forests are named after the city of Valdivia. It can swim and maneuver better than many fish, and swims with only the top of its head out of the water. River otters possess long, muscular bodies suited to their life on both land and in water. Only one otter species seems to be thriving, and that's the North American River Otter. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. In Oregon, River otters are mostly found west of the Cascade Range but have been found in eastern Klamath County and in Deschutes, Wallowa, and Malheur counties. Litter sizes average one to two pups, but up to four can be born at a time. The giant otter is the biggest, the most dangerous, the deadliest. Body weight ranges from 5–15 kilograms (11–33 lb). The main cause of decline is loss of habitat and hunting for its fur. 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 River otter reaches a length of … In Peru, the giant river otter is classified as Endangered by the decree, DS 004-2014-MINAGRI. This national park covers about 2,530 km2 (977 sq mi) and is almost entirely in the Andes mountain chain. Hunting is legal and does occur in Chile. The biological name is Lontra Canadensis. Modern efforts in sea otter conservation began in the early 20th century, when the sea otter was nearly extinct due to large-scale commercial hunting. Would you like to receive a notice and link when the 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. 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. Three other species: southern river otters, neotropical river otters, and marine otters … It grows from 4.9 to 5.9 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. Although the female and her young will live in family groups, males are usually solitary. At this point, only seven known populations of this species are found throughout Chile and Argentina, and all of the populations are isolated from each other. It is also known as the Southern river otter and river wolf. The distribution and habitat, behaviour, and diet of the deer have all been the subject of study. GIANT OTTERS ARE SUPER CHATTY. 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. Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. The first is that they have incredibly powerful little legs. A large male may consume as much as 11 kg (25 lb.) The giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels, and ferrets, and are by far the loudest member of the group.Giant river otters are very sociable and live in families of between 3-10 individuals that hunt together. River otters are rambunctious, aquatic, streamlined mammals that spend much of their time in the water. River otters eat a variety of fish and shellfish, as well as small land mammals and birds. Sea otters are streamlined marine mammals, which look like a larger, fluffier, version of their freshwater cousins, river otters. Otter and Human Relationship Humans have hunted otters since the 1700s. The southern river otter is also affected by pollution of wetlands, since this species requires clean water. The author surveyed three parks in Argentina: Lanin, Puelo, and Los Alerces National Parks. In its introduced range in Europe it has been classified as an invasive species linked to declines in European mink, Pyrenean desman, and water vole populations. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical swamps, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, rivers, intermittent rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater spring, inland deltas, saline lakes, intermittent saline lakes, saline marshes, intermittent saline marshes, shallow seas, subtidal aquatic beds, rocky shores, sandy shores, estuarine waters, intertidal flats, intertidal marshes, coastal saline lagoons, coastal freshwater lagoons, water storage areas, ponds, aquaculture ponds, seasonally flooded agricultural land, and canals and ditches. The Northern River Otter is found both in Canada and the United States. In 2014, a study of giant otters found that the river-dwellers … 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. Their body shape aids in helping them make sudden turns to catch fish and other prey. Dada Gottelli is a British Zoologist. Baby otters are called pups. Males are larger in size than females (see photos). The situation was particularly serious in southern and central England, with otters vanishing from these areas completely, becoming locally extinct. Otters are adorable creatures that live both on land and in the water. Their sleek, streamlined bodies are perfect for diving and swimming. The American mink is a semiaquatic species of mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe and South America. Facts about River Otters talk about an animal, which can be found on the coasts or waterways of North America. Although called a "river otter", it inhabits both marine and freshwater environments. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. 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). The continual decrease in prey numbers also causes problems for the southern river otter. They are primarily nocturnal and solitary. They communicate via whistles, twittering noises and spitting sounds, which can be heard at night when it is quiet and still. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis . The mammal was identified as a species of otter and has a variety of common names, including North American river otter, northern river otter, common otter and, simply, river otter. The southern river otter is found in the southern parts of Chile and western Argentina. Sea otters eat about 25% to 30% of their weight. 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. The river otter is Minnesota's largest aquatic carnivore that lives in most northern Minnesota lakes, ponds, and streams. 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. Dogs that were used to hunt otters were called otterhounds. The marine otter only lives in saltwater, coastal environments and rarely ventures into freshwater or estuarine habitats. Adults grow to about three feet in length and weigh 10-20lbs. Males are larger in size than females (see phot This is due to the fact that the conditions they live under could be compromised easily and that could lead to a significant reduction in their numbers in very little time. The Neotropical otter is the only species which is widespread especially in the central and northern parts of the country. It is found in Chile and Argentina. [4] The surveyors spoke with people who live and work near these areas, and looked for prints and droppings of the southern river otter, while also looking for signs of the American mink. Its western boundary coincides with the Chilean border. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. A river otter in England. Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) It is an endangered species because of poaching, water pollution, and habitat loss. It lives in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Breeding may occur in July and August, and the female gives birth to up to 4 pups after a gestation period of 60 days. Subspecies There are no subspecies of the Southern River Otter. Not all otters use tools, but sea otters use them all the time. The playful North American river otter is equally at home in the water and on land. North American river otters are semi-aquatic mammals endemic to the U.S. and Canada. River otters can dive to a depth of 60 feet. These hydrodynamic members of the weasel family are voracious predators. They include the Southern River Otter, Hairy Nosed Otter, Giant Otter, and the India Smooth Coated Otter. They have both claws and webbed feet that help them in the water and on land. It borders the Alberto de Agostini National Park and Tierra del Fuego National Park. It is know population in freshwater habitats are confined to seven isolated areas between Cautin and Futaleufu. The Eurasian otter has a diet mainly of fish, and is strongly territorial. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. Because of range expansion, the American mink is classed as a least-concern species by the IUCN. Otters tend only enter the water to hunt, which most do for 3 to 5 hours a day, or travel. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. River otters have long, stiff and highly sensitive facial whiskers that aid in locating and capturing prey. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis.The southern river otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss. However, while southern river otters face significant threats from humans, they have a number of adaptations that make them well suited for their natural environment. Southern sea otters usually submerge for about 52 to 90 seconds, but the longest dive recorded was four minutes and 25 seconds long. The river otter's eyes and ears are located high on its head for surface swimming. [5] The results showed signs of the southern river otter were found in 32 of the 275 surveyed sites within the three parks. The Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Smooth coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) Hairy nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus) Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) Biological/outstanding features. These are very long animals with large sized heads. Its western entrance is close to the Ensenada locality, 82 km (51 mi) northeast of the provincial capital of Puerto Montt, and 64 km (40 mi) from Puerto Varas along Ruta CH-225. ; Pozzi, C.; Medina-Vogel, G.; Chehébar, C. (2015). Three other species: southern river otters, neotropical river otters, and marine otters … Successive glaciations have molded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes. Interesting Facts Southern Sea Otter. 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. They typically use … Since the extinction of the sea mink, the American mink is the only extant member of the genus Neovison. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis. It also represents small parts of the Valdivian Rainforest. North American river otters are semi-aquatic mammals endemic to the U.S. and Canada. This semiaquatic mammal has the weight of 11 to 30.9 lb or 5 to 14 kilograms. It prefers to eat crayfish and freshwater mussels. Population estimates are unavailable. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. Can otters use tools? Its feet are equipped with claws and webs for swimming. Among freshwater taxa, the Amazonian manatee and river dolphins are completely aquatic and fully dependent on aquatic ecosystems. It is also known as the Southern river otter and river wolf. One survey in particular was performed to determine if any of this species live within these protected areas. People also call it North American river otter. Interesting Facts It lives in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Habits. It has velvety dark brown hair and light or grayer underparts. These propel them through the water at high speeds to help them hunt. "Lontra provocax". This is due to the fact that the conditions they live under could be compromised easily and that could lead to a significant reduction in their numbers in very little time. This offers a chance at re-population, if worst comes to worst. It is endangered in some parts of its range, but is recovering in others. Whether it’s a lake, river, swamp or estuary, otters like a mix of land and water. In warmer times, you may also see otters sliding down a riverbank. Dam and road construction, as well as stream canalization and drainage for agriculture destroy many acres of what could be habitat for this species. It has velvety dark brown hair and light or grayer underparts. Human settlements are mainly near water supplies such as rivers or oases. Body weight averages about 5–10 kg (11-22 lbs). Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. This is good news for conservation efforts due to the fact that cross genus cloning efforts have come a long way in recent years. 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. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. Its landscapes represent the north Patagonian Andean Zone consisting of three types, namely, the Altoandino, the Andino-Patagónico and the Patagonian steppe. It is recognized by its powerful neck and elongated body. Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. It is one of the driest regions in the country. Southern river otters were vigorously hunted for their pelts throughout the last 100 years. References ↑ Sepúlveda, M.A. It sometimes is considered a subspecies of Lontra canadensis. Some of the best known are the giant otter, the sea otter, the European otter, the Northern river otter among others. Its eyes are placed at the top of the head, so it can remain alert whilst the rest of the body is underwater. Future directions for conserving this species include obtaining better information on the southern river otter's population numbers and locations. The riparian forests and rivers in which these otters are mostly found have been disturbed by human presence. of food daily. River otters eat 15% to 20% of their total body weight each day. Large river otter (Lontra provocax). SIZE: 1-1.3m: WEIGHT: 7-9 kg: DIET: Fish (80%), birds, small mammals, frogs: GESTATION: 9 weeks: OFFSPRING: 2-3 cubs: HOME … The southern river otter is generally brown dorsally, with a lighter, grayer underside. The adult male weighs around 11.3 kg (25 lb); while the female weighs up to 8.3 kg (18 lb). After an absence of more than a century, its range is again extending into southern Minnesota. The species is legally protected both locally and internationally. 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. After a few bumps, they can slide up to 22 feet on the ice. They used a lot of methods to hunt otters. It has a long body, a flat head with small ears, and a broad muzzle with whiskers. 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. Breeding After a gestation period of approximately 2 months, Southern River Otters give birth to 1 - 4 cubs. ; Valenzuela, A.E.J. They have four legs to move easily on land, and a long tail to swim through the water. [3] Some invasive aquatic species that have been introduced into that area are limiting the mollusks and fish available for otter prey. 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. They can grow to be more than a meter long, from head to tail, and weight up to 14 kg. The alerce forests in the park are in an excellent state of conservation. River Otter (Lutra canadensis)Species Code: LUCA Description The River Otter is built for swimming - they have a streamlined body, short legs with webbed feet, dense fur that keeps otters warm, a tapered tail, small ears, and nostrils that can close underwater. The weight of a North American river otter measures around 5 – 14 kg (11 – 31 lb). 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). It is known as the common otter or northern river otter. It is physically similar to the northern and southern river otter, which occur directly north and south of this species' range. Although called a "river otter", it inhabits both marine and freshwater environments. Otters always wash themselves after every meal. Southern river otter range The southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a type of otter. They come in many sizes. The adjacent national parks Vicente Pérez Rosales and Puyehue National Park in Chile, and Nahuel Huapi National Park and Lanín National Park in Argentina, provide a continuous protected area of close to 15,000 km2 (5,792 sq mi). Though it is the largest, it isn’t the heaviest. ... River otters can swim at a speed of 11 kilometers per hour and sea otters swim at a speed of 9 kilometers per hour. Reduced range and population size, vulnerability to oil spills, and oil spill risk from coastal tanker traffic were the primary reasons for listing. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. They are highly adaptable animals so as long as they have access to enough food and water they can thrive. games and coloring pages! They’re semi-aquatic mammals, which means that they need both land and water habitat to survive. 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. The Southern River Otter is closely related to many other otter species, including the North American River Otter, and the marine otter. Otters are very social creatures. The southern river otter is generally brown dorsally, with a lighter, grayer underside. The southern river otter prefers estuaries, rivers, and lakes with fresh water for its habitat. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) became one of the major animals hunted and trapped for fur in North America after European contact. The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Their toes are webbed, they have short legs and they boast a tapered tail ranging up to 15 inches long. Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), also known as California sea otters, were listed as threatened in 1977 under the Endangered Species Act. 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). They feature hair that is very dense. It makes its home in a burrow near the water's edge, and can thrive in river, lake, swamp, or estuary ecosystems. The southern river otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss. Although called a "river otter", it inhabits both marine and freshwater environments. Check out our The Cameroon clawless otter is a subspecies of the African clawless otter in the family Mustelidae. Will live in family groups typically supporting three to eight members definitely don ’ t want to with... 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