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The Giant River Otter or Waterdog

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First Published: 2nd of August, 2021 by Patrick Carpen.

Last updated: November 3, 2023 at 14:29 pm

Scientific Name: Pteronura brasiliensis

Did you know that in Guyana, the locals often refer to the Giant River Otter as “waterdog”? The giant river otter is an endangered species which lives in rivers in the interior regions of Guyana, South America.

The giant river otter eats mostly fishes, but it sometimes also eats crabs, turtles, caimans, and snakes. No animal, other than humans, is known to eat the giant river otter. The giant river otter grows between 5 and 6 feet in length and weighs around 60 pounds.

The giant river otter is only found South America, and Guyana is one of the countries in which it is found. Each giant river otter has a signature mark on its throat: the pattern at the bottom of the throat is different for each giant otter so you can tell one from the other. This helps scientists to keep track of the number of giant otters present in a particular location.

The video below, which shows giant river otters swimming in the Berbice River in Region 6, Guyana, South America, was contributed to this publication by Guyanese citizen, Donald Lindie.

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