giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Photograph by Renaud d'Avout d'Auerstaedt (http://renaud.davout.org/), registered wikipedian (rdavout). Date taken: 2006-10-24. Place taken: Venezuela - Estado Federal - Caracas - Parque del Este.
EspaƱol: Ejemplar de nutria gigante en Venezuela.
Description: Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in Venezuela. Keywords: otter; giant otter.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giantotter.jpg
The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. Pteronura brasiliensis is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 m. 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. Although generally peaceful, Pteronura brasiliensis is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. The giant otters are diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggressiveness, and reassurance. Order: Carnivora, Family: Mustelidae, Subfamily: Lutrinae.