Giant Otter

After spending more than half a century extinct in the country due to hunting for its pelt, this giant returned thanks to an ambitious reintroduction program. Extremely social, noisy and territorial: they live in cohesive family groups. Each individual has a unique pattern of white markings on the throat that works as a fingerprint for its identification at a distance. Considered Extinct at the national level (SAREM) until its reintroduction in Iberá; Endangered globally (IUCN), and now in full recovery. Total length: 1.50 to 1.80 m. Weight: 22 to 34 kg.

Behaviour

Highly cooperative: they hunt in coordinated family groups, surrounding and cornering their prey. A strict carnivorous diet: large quantities of fish (wolf fish, piranhas, catfish), eels and occasionally small caimans. They possess an enormous vocal repertoire that includes hisses, snorts and howls to coordinate the group.

How and when to see it

Its sightings are a highly restricted privilege. As a species in full process of establishment and monitoring, its movements are concentrated in the pristine areas of the wetland.

Where to see it in the Iberá

The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where giant otter has confirmed presence:

Tours to see it

Verified providers operating at the gateways where giant otter lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.

• Esteros Ñe’é
  Experiencias con relato local y mirada cultural sobre los esteros.★ 5
• Iberá Spirit
  Agencia de turismo especializada en los Esteros del Iberá desde hace 10 años. Paquetes…★ 5
• Iberá Explorer
  Experiencias y excursiones multidía en Iberá.★ 4.9
• Cabalgata Esteros - Pellegrini
  Travesía a caballo por los bañados que rodean Carlos Pellegrini. Los caballos cruzan los…★ 4.8

Species profile

• Common nameGiant Otter
• Scientific namePteronura brasiliensis
• GroupMammal
• StatusReintroduced

Other species of the Iberá

• 🐆 Ocelot
• 🐜 Giant Anteater
• 🐆 Jaguar
• 🦦 Coypu
• 🐻 Southern Tamandua
• 🐒 Black Howler Monkey
• 🐱 Puma
• 🦦 Neotropical Otter