Species from the Peruvian Jungle

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English  Name: Giant River Otter
Scientific Name: Pteronura brasiliensis

Spanish Name: Nutria Gigante

Size: Head to tip of tail: 140cm. Weight: 33kg.

Life span: 12 in wild, 21 in captivity

 Diet: Fish, crabs, small snakes
 

Predators: Humans (poachers and pet traders)
 

Adaptations: 
Excellent swimmers/divers with strong tail in order to swim fast.
Look around everywere they go in order to make sure there are no humans nearby.
 

Interesting Facts:
Live in groups of about 8 members in which they share all responsabilities.
Reach sexual maturaity at age 2.
 
 

 Bibliography: 
"Giant River Otter." Retrieved 12 3 2003
 <http://www.wwfguianas.org/feat_spec_giant_otter.htm>. 

"Animal Bytes." Retrieved 12 3 2003
 <http://www.seaworld.org/AnimalBytes/giantriverotter.htm>. 

"Giant Otter (River Wolf; Brazilian, Flat-tailed, or Margin-tailed Otter)." Retrieved 12 3 2003 <http://www.expage.com/page/giantotter>.