#0452 · 🦊 mammals

Giant Otter

🇳🇱 Reuzenotter ·Pteronura brasiliensis

ENendangered 🦊 Mammals 📍 outside Europe

10 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

1. © markus lilje · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
2. © paul10011993 · CC BY-NC 4.0
3. © Ari Rice · CC BY-NC 4.0
4. © My World of Bird Photography · CC BY-NC 4.0
5. Mato Grosso, BR:© Rich Hoyer · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
6. Mato Grosso, BR:© quiltedquetzal · CC BY-NC 4.0
7. Mato Grosso, BR:© Paul Donahue · CC BY-NC 4.0
8. Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, GY:© My World of Bird Photography · CC BY-NC 4.0
9. Mato Grosso, BR:© quiltedquetzal · CC BY-NC 4.0
10. Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, GY:© Kevin Schafer · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

what is it?

The giant otter or giant river otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) is a South American carnivorous mammal. 6 ft). Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative.

base stats

NL sightings 0iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 2,316iNaturalist observations
weight 29 kgadult, up to
threat ENendangered

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).

fun facts

No confirmed wild sightings in the Netherlands on iNaturalist: you'd have to travel for this one.
2,316 observations worldwide on iNaturalist.
Weighs up to about 29 kg.
Scientifically named by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788 (238 years ago).
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.