Giant Otter
Pteronura brasiliensis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassMammalia (Mamífers)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnívors)
- FamilyMustelidae (Mustelids)
- GenusPteronura (Giant Otters)
- SpeciesPteronura brasiliensis (Giant Otter)
The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, reaching up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in). Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. Wikipedia →
40–50% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Otter sighting in Madidi National Park, based on 27 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Madidi National Park
Tayra
Eira barbara
Beddard's Olingo
Bassaricyon alleni
Andean Bear
Tremarctos ornatus
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
Jaguar
Panthera onca
Crab-eating Fox
Cerdocyon thous
Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk
Conepatus chinga
Ocelot
Leopardus pardalis
Culpeo
Lycalopex culpaeus
South American Coati
Nasua nasua
Kinkajou
Potos flavus
Bush Dog
Speothos venaticus
📅 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 | Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 2 | Madidi National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 3 | Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 4 | Yasuní National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 5 | Tambopata National Reserve | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 6 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 7 | Anavilhanas National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 8 | Noel Kempff Mercado National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 9 | Amacayacu National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 10 | Iberá National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Giant Otter in Madidi National Park?
About 46% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Otter sighting in Madidi National Park, based on 27 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Giant Otter in Madidi National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Giant Otter in Madidi National Park in our monthly data.