Southern River Otter

About the Southern River Otter

The southern river otter (Lontra provocax), or South American river otter, is an otter species that lives in much of Patagonia. It is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as an endangered species.

A medium-sized otter, the southern river otter's body can grow up to 70 cm (28 in) long, with the tail adding about 40 cm (16 in). Body weight averages about 5–10 kg (11–22 lb). Its fur is dark brown on the upper parts and a lighter cinnamon color or can be almost white on the underside.

Family groups usually consist only of a female and her young, as males are usually solitary except for the breeding season. Litter sizes average one to two pups, but up to four can be born at a time. They are piscivorous, and their natural prey includes many types of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and occasionally birds or their eggs, particularly of ground-nesting species found near water. Occasional reptiles or amphibians may be hunted as well, including frogs, smaller turtles, lizards and even some snakes.

The southern river otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats, but are mostly found in freshwater lakes and... Wikipedia →