Giant Otter
Pteroneura brasiliensis
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Giant otters are the only social mustelid (member of the weasel family) and are often found in groups of five to nine. These groups are very territorial consisting of an adult pair and their offspring, or alternatively consisting of a harem. They are identified individually by a different pattern of spots on their throat. They communicate danger by an explosive snort signalling alarm, which results in the entire group surfacing if in water, craning their necks, and joining a chorus of loud snorts. Group members constantly maintain interaction by screeches, whines, and loud high pitched calls. They hunt fish travelling as a phalanx underwater alternating which one surfaces to take breath. Fish are often eating while at the surface with the otter on its back holding the prey with its front paws. Giant otters are aggressive defenders of their young. There are even accounts of them frightening off jaguar when their pups are in danger.
