Southern River Otter
(Lontra provocax)
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Lutrinae
Genus: Lontra
Species: Lontra provocax
Description: Lontra provocax is covered with dense brown fur with two layers: guard fur on the outside and underfur for heat insulation, as they have no blubber, or fat stores, to preserve heat. The ventral side may be a lighter shade of fur, almost whitish in appearance. The tail is long, wide at the base and narrows to the tip. They have an elongated body and short legs with webbed paws, and each paw has five digits. The otter's small head is supported by an equally thick neck. Its eyes are small and rounded, and thick whiskers cover the end of its short and rounded rostrum.
Habitat and Range: The Southern River Otter prefers densely vegetated areas in either fresh or salt water. They are found in wetlands, subtropical and tropical forests, and coastline in South America. They are not entirely aquatic as they can be seen climbing around rocks and riverbanks.
Diet: Lontra provocax is a carnivore, eating vertebrates such as fish and birds, and invertebrates like mussels and crustaceans.
Reproduction: This species will mate in the winter or spring but will not give birth for another 10-12 months due to delayed implantation. Actual gestation is around 2 months. The female will give birth to 1-4 altricial offspring and nurse them on milk from her 4 nipples until they are around 7 weeks old.
Behavior: The Southern River Otter is nocturnal and solitary. They are only found together during times of mating and when mothers are raising their offspring.
Longevity: Most will only live a few years, seldom will they live as much as ten years in the wild.
Predation: Humans are the only main threat to this species.
Status in the wild: Due to continued fish farming, habitat destruction, and pollution the Southern River Otter was officially listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List in the year 2000. Despite restrictions, this species is still poached for its fur.
Other names: Chilean River Otter
Links:
Page created by sophomore Samantha Sheehan of the Pensacola Junior College's Zoo Tech Program, Fall 2005
For more information, contact the Small Carnivore TAG education liaison