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Giant Otters

Giant Otters are one of the most endangered species in the Amazon basin – yet they used to be common before hunting and the destruction of much of their habitat by man. Today giant otters are limited to just a few areas, with the largest concentration being in Peru's Manu Reserve. In Brazil the Giant Otter is known as the Saro. In Peru and other Spanish-speaking countries it has a more descriptive name – los lobos del rio or "river wolves".

The otters live in large rivers, or in small horseshoe-shaped lakes which are sometimes left behind when the Amazon's twisting rivers change their course. Giant otters can reach up to two metres in length, including their tail – so truly deserve the name giant. By comparison, the Southern River Otter (which also lives in the Amazon basin) only reaches half the size. The giant otter has webbed feet, a flat tail, dark brown fur, and white markings on its throat. The white throat markings are different on each otter, and this is how researchers studying otters can tell them apart. Otters are highly social creatures which live together in groups. It's even said that they sometimes form friendships with other animals which live nearby and don't represent a threat. They live in dens tunnelled into the side of the riverbank or covered over with falled branches. The entrance is often underwater.

Otters are generally very shy of people, though in the days when they were common it is said that they made playful and friendly pets. The otters' playfulness shows when you see them swimming or playing along the riverbanks. They are also excellent swimmers and agile hunters. A single otter can eat more than three tons of fish per year. In some cases, local fishermen don't like having otters in competition with them, and have attacked the otters with rifles and machetes.

Although the otters look cute, they can be extremely ferocious. They have great courage, intelligence and strength – and sharp teeth which can cause great injury. If threatened they have no hesitation attacking. Few animals are a match for an enraged otter. While in Manu Reserve I heard the story of a caiman which made the mistake of attacking an otter. The otter got away. But the next day the caiman was discovered dead in the water after being attacked by a group of otters seeking revenge.
(Photo courtesy of Barry Walker, Manu Expeditions)