The South American giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the longest member of the weasel family and the largest otter reaching up to 6ft in length. It has a distinctive cream coloured throat patch which works as an identifier, as no two will be the same. This strong swimmer has webbed feet for paddling and a muscular flat long tail to use as a rudder. Decades of poaching for its velvety pelt considerably diminished population numbers. It ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in the rivers and creeks of the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata river systems. Adults will aggressively defend their territory from intruders or predators such as jaguars, caimans or large snakes. Giant otters have up to 15 different types of vocalizations, usually warning signals when there is a potential predator.
