| Southern river otter | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Subfamily: | Lutrinae |
| Genus: | Lontra |
| Species: | L. provocax |
| Binomial name | |
| Lontra provocax (Thomas, 1908) |
|
| Southern River Otter range | |
The Southern river otter (Lontra provocax) is a species of otter that lives in Chile and Argentina. Although called a "river otter", it inhabits both marine and freshwater environments.This is a subspecies of Lontra canadensis. The Southern River Otter is listed as endangered, due to illegal hunting, water pollution, and habitat loss.
Contents |
This medium-sized otter's body can grow up to 2.5 ft (70 cm) long, with a tail adding about 16 in (40 cm). Body weight averages at about 5-10 kg (11-22 lbs). Its skin is dark-brown on the top and has a lighter cinnamon color on its underside.
Although the female and her young will live in family groups, males are usually solitary. Litter sizes average one to two pups, but up to four can be born at a time. Their diet includes fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and birds.
The Southern River Otter can be found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats, but are mostly found in freshwater lakes and rivers. Having a significant amount of dense vegetation, especially along the shorelines, must be present to use as cover. Their habitat also needs the root systems of mature trees, as well as fallen tree debris.
The Southern River Otter was vigorously hunted for its pelts throughout the last 100 years. This is the major cause of their current low population numbers and endangered conservation status. Since then, they have not been able to recover due to a number of other threats. At this point, there are only seven known populations of this species found throughout the two countries of Chile and Argentina and all of the populations are isolated from each other.
The riparian forests and rivers in which these otters are mostly found have been disturbed by human presence. Dam and road construction, as well as stream canalization and drainage for agriculture destroy many acres of what could be habitat for this species.[2] Even though Argentina began passing legislation in 1960 that outlawed the hunting of the Southern River Otter, hunting still does occur because of the lack of enforcement. Hunting is legal and does occur in Chile as well.
The continual decreasing prey numbers also causes problems for The Southern River Otter.[3] Some invasive aquatic species that have been introduced into that area is limiting to mollusks and fish available for the otters to feed on. The causes the otters to move to other freshwater systems to hunt for food.
Several surveys and studies have been performed on the Southern River Otter to better understand its declining population numbers to be able to prevent the species from becoming extinct. Several of the known populations of this otter are found within National Forests.
One survey in particular was performed in order to determine if any of this species live within these protected areas. The author surveyed three parks in Argentina, named Lanin, Puelo, and Los Alerces National Parks.[4] The surveyors spoke with people who live and work near these areas, looked for prints and droppings of the Southern River Otter, while also looking for signs of the American Mink. The mink was introduced into this area and is thought to compete with the Southern River Otter for food resources and habitat space.[5] The results showed that signs of the Southern River Otter were found in 32 of the 275 surveyed sites within the three National Parks. Out of the 32 confirmed sites, 31 of them were of dense forest with thick undergrowth near the shoreline of freshwater systems. These results suggest that having shoreline vegetation for cover is vital for their survival.
Future directions for conserving this species surround obtaining better information on the Southern River Otter’s population numbers and locations. If conservationists know where the individuals and families live, it will be easier to enforce anti-poaching laws, as well as focusing on maintaining and protecting their habitats. Captive breeding programs would also be beneficial for this species, to later reintroduce individuals into the areas where they were previously found.