At otters are animals mammals found in Brazil and in various parts of South America. It is a semi-aquatic animal that feeds on animals like fish and crustaceans. According to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, the otter is classified in the category "almost threatened". Otter populations are in decline, and humans are a major threat to the species.
Read more:Anthropogenic actions in the environment - positive and negative
Otter scientific name
The otter is a mammalian animal belonging to the order carnivora and family Mustelidae, same family as the ferret and mink. Its scientific name is Longicaudis otter.Popularly, the otter is known by different names, such as river wolf, otter and neotropical otter.
General characteristics of the otter
the otter is a species that originally inhabited from Mexico to the north of Buenos Aires (Argentina), being found in all the countries of South and Central America, with the exception of Chile. It has a wide distribution in our country, being observed in
locations near water bodies, such as rivers, streams, mangroves and marine inlets. This species presents semi-water habit, living in aquatic environments and at up to 3000 meters of altitude. It prefers environments with clear water and intense flow of Water.The otter has an elongated, thin and flexible body, an elongated and flat head, short legs, small, rounded ears. It can reach about 1.5 m long and weigh about 15 kg. The coat color is brown, ranging from light brown to dark brown. The otter's coat is made up of short hairs and stands out for being quite dense.
The otter's paws feature interdigital membranes. This feature is important for swimming, as well as the resistant tail present in these animals. The otter's tail is large, reaching about a third of the mammal's total length.
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The otter is an animal that behaves elusive, shy and lonely. Despite living alone, small groups with females and offspring can be observed. Males join females only in the reproductive seasons. present night or twilight habit. Otters can be seen in burrows, opened by the animal itself, or in natural holes that form in ravines close to the aquatic environment.
Otters are animals that demarcate their territory, being the marking made with urine, feces and secretions. It is observed that they have the ability to vocalize. the otters can live for about 20 years.
otter feeding
the otters are carnivorous animals, therefore feeding on other animals. For the efficiency of this feeding, they have strong and very sharp teeth. Otters feed mainly onfish and crustaceans, However, small mammals, birds, amphibians and molluscs they can also be their prey. Normally, the otter captures prey within the aquatic environment, but only ingests it in the terrestrial environment.
Otter reproduction
Otters usually reproduce in spring. Your pregnancy lasts about 56 days, and the female gives birth, on average, two or three puppies. After birth, the puppies still need their mothers, who stay with them for about a year. Initially, the puppies feed on milk, and weaning begins around the seventh week of the animal's life. Otter chicks begin their water activities approximately two months after birth (about 74 days). O male doesn't take care of his cubs.
Know more:Maned wolf - feeding, habitat and reproduction
Threats to otters
One of the main threats to otter populations is the human species. Because their diet often involves the ingestion of fish, humans often kill individuals of the species as a form of retaliation for harming fishing. In addition pollution of the aquatic environment and the expansion of the hydro-energetic network have threatened the species' populations. We must also not forget that the otter, in the past, was very hunted for the sale of its skin, which contributed to the reduction of this population.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
