Page 133 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

GIANT OTTER 133

weighing 20kg (44lb), herons, anacondas 9m (30ft) long call out, excitedly, to each other as they use their
and black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) more than 1.5m combined numbers to herd schools of fish into the
(4.9ft) long. One lone otter, even a giant one, would be shallows. It’s when they come up against other predators
unlikely to kill a caiman on its own, but otters have an like caiman, though, that these cooperative hunters are at
advantage over other large, Amazonian predators. their most impressive.
Though they do hunt alone, they also work together in Giant otters are popular, playful and intelligent animals,
pairs or even in groups. whose looks have earned them the affectionate nickname
Like many species of otters, these giants form tight- ‘water dogs’. However, they’re also known as ‘water
knit family bands containing two adults and several wolves’, for good reason.These animals are very territorial
litters. Otter couples pair for life and family bonds are so and surprisingly aggressive.They won’t hesitate to band
strong that juveniles from previous litters will stay and together to drive off intruders, especially species
tend new arrivals.Working together, the otter family threatening their young. Ultimately, family ties, rather than
makes a formidable foe and groups have been seen to their size, may hold the secret to their continued survival.

Comparisons

Sharing similar, semi-aquatic lifestyles means that all otters have a basic, about 1m (3.3ft) in length.That’s half the size of giant otters.As shown
streamlined body shape although their size varies from species to in these images, there’s also one, much subtler, difference between the
species. North American, northern river otters (Lontra canadensis) species – the shape of their noses!
and African, spotted-necked otters (Hydrictis maculicollis) grow to

Spotted-necked otter River otter Giant otter

The fish may be fast and agile, but it is no match for the Retreating to a shady spot, the happy hunter eagerly devours
streamlined athleticism of a giant otter. his catch – crunching up the bones in his powerful jaws.

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.