Neotropical River Otter
Encyclopedia
The Neotropical Otter Lontra longicaudis, is an otter
species found in Central America
, South America
and the island of Trinidad
.
The Neotropical Otter is very similar looking to the Northern
and Southern River Otter
, which sandwich this species range. Overall length can range from 90-150 cm (36-59 in), of which about a third of the length is comprised by the tail. The body weight can range from 5 to 15 kg (11-33 lbs).
This otter is found in many different riverine habitats, including deciduous and evergreen forests, savannas, llanos and pantanal. It is possible that this species prefers to live in clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams, and is probably rare in sluggish, silt-laden lowland rivers. It is a solitary animal and feeds on fish and crustaceans. It is an endangered species
, according to CITES Appendix I.
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
species found in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and the island of Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
.
The Neotropical Otter is very similar looking to the Northern
Northern River Otter
The North American river otter , also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent, found in and along its waterways and coasts. An adult river otter can weigh between 5 and 14 kg...
and Southern River Otter
Southern River Otter
The Southern river otter is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. Although called a "river otter", it inhabits both marine and freshwater environments....
, which sandwich this species range. Overall length can range from 90-150 cm (36-59 in), of which about a third of the length is comprised by the tail. The body weight can range from 5 to 15 kg (11-33 lbs).
This otter is found in many different riverine habitats, including deciduous and evergreen forests, savannas, llanos and pantanal. It is possible that this species prefers to live in clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams, and is probably rare in sluggish, silt-laden lowland rivers. It is a solitary animal and feeds on fish and crustaceans. It is an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
, according to CITES Appendix I.
Subspecies
- Lontra longicaudis annectens
- Lontra longicaudis colombiana
- Lontra longicaudis enudris
- Lontra longicaudis incarum
- Lontra longicaudis longicaudis
- Lontra longicaudis raferrous"