Besides humans, main predators of giant otters are jaguars, large anacondas and large caimans. Fast, aggressive and intelligent, the giant otter has few natural predators. The giant river otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis) is one the Amazon forest’s top predators, along with the jaguar, puma, caiman and anaconda.
Apart from humans, few predators threaten the giant otter. The giant otter hunts solo or in groups and relies on the sharp eyesight to locate its prey. They produce around 9 different types of sounds, such as quick barks, explosive snorts, wavering screams or low growls, to inform other otters about potential danger (alarm sound) or to send aggressive warning. Categories.

Unusually for a mustelid, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. It is the largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), and can grow up to 1.80 meters (six feet) in length and weigh more than 30 kilograms (70 pounds). The Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology says the giant river otter has few predators, but jaguars are among them.
Of course Otters aren’t the most powerful animals out there which is why they often find safety in numbers.

If fish is not available, they will prey on crabs and even small anacondas. Humans are the only real predators that the Giant Otter has. Their main predators on land is the Jaguar and in the water, large Caimans and large Anacondas. This is very likely due to changes in the natural habitat for those types of animals though. Is The Giant Otter Endangered? There are reports of caimans preying on giant otters, and historical reports indicate that solitary individuals may be attacked by the jaguar, cougar and anaconda. Giant otters have no predators except humans, who once hunted them widely for their fur. Giant otters are apex predators and feed mainly on fish such as Characins and catfish. A mother otter, whose pup is in danger, fends off a predator by any … The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. They hunt on shallow water of about 2 feet. Facts; Information; Species; Conservation; FAQs; Humans ; Pictures; Tags. Predators Giant Otters have few natural predators. Humans are the biggest predator of the Otter. And … Otter Natural Predators Otters may look like cuddly creatures but they can also be very defensive when they feel that they are their offspring are in danger. They are opportunistic; feeding on whatever is locally abundant. Their fur is among the finest in the world, so dense that water never reaches their skin. The Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology says the giant river otter has few predators, but jaguars are among them.

However, there have been some reports of cougars and jaguars killing them in certain areas. Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal.It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators. It has no serious natural predators other than humans, although it must compete with other predatory species, including the neotropical otter, jaguars, anacondas, caimans, and bull sharks for food resources. Wolves, eagles and large cats, such as pumas and jaguars, prey on young, vulnerable otters.

Giant otters all work together to hunt prey and drive off other predators. As one of the Amazon’s few exclusively diurnal species, the otter’s extremely good eyesight serves as its principal … The giant otter is rated ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN.

Subspecies Subspecies of the Giant Otter include: Pteronura brasiliensis brasiliensis Pteronura brasiliensis paraguensis Interesting Facts Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. They may appear cute and cuddly, but as one alligator soon learned, otters can be vicious predators. Excessive hunting for its pelts until the late 1970s caused the numbers to plummet. In groups the otters are capable of taking on almost anything the river and jungle can throw at them, including larger caiman. Hunting otters was profitable and easy. The majority of the otter’s diet is made up of fish although they will occasionally take smaller caiman and even anacondas. Giant otters are very loud animals. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7m (5.6 ft). The two predators are such worthy foes, there's only one recorded case of a jaguar killing a giant otter. A single giant otter pelt was worth more than a year’s annual wage for a local resident. These photos show an otter overpowering a juvenile gator …

Giant otter predators