| Neotropical Otter | |
|---|---|
| Neotropical Otter, Corrientes, Argentina | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Lontra |
| Species: | L. longicaudis |
| Binomial name | |
| Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) |
|
| Neotropical Otter range | |
The Neotropical Otter (or Neotropical River Otter), Lontra longicaudis, is an otter species found in Central America, South America and the island of Trinidad.[1]
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).[2]
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.