Neotropical Otter
Lontra longicaudis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassMammalia (Mamífers)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnívors)
- FamilyMustelidae (Mustelids)
- GenusLontra (New World River Otters)
- SpeciesLontra longicaudis (Neotropical Otter)
The neotropical otter or neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) is a near-threatened (per the IUCN) otter species found in freshwater systems from Mexico and Central America through mainland South America, as well as the island of Trinidad. It is physically similar to the northern (L. canadensis) and southern river otter (L. provocax), which occur directly north and south of this species' range, respectively. Its head-to-body length can range from 36–66 centimetres (14–26 in), plus a tail of 37–84 centimetres (15–33 in). Body weight ranges from 5–15 kilograms (11–33 lb). The neotropical otter is found in many different riverine habitats and riparian zones, including those in tropical and temperate deciduous to evergreen forests, savannas, llanos (of Colombia and Venezuela) and the pantanal (in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay). It prefers to live in clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams, preferably away from competition with the more boisterous giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). Wikipedia →
10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Neotropical Otter sighting in Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas, based on 9 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iberá National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 2 | Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 3 | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 4 | Yasuní National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 5 | Amboró National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 6 | Serra da Canastra National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 7 | Serra dos Órgãos National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 8 | Emas National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 9 | Chingaza National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 10 | El Palmar National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 11 | Iguazú National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 12 | Iguaçu National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 13 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Neotropical Otter in Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas?
About 13% of wildlife watchers report a Neotropical Otter sighting in Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas, based on 9 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Neotropical Otter in Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas?
November has the highest sighting rate for Neotropical Otter in Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas in our monthly data.