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Animal Size

Giant otter size: How big do they get?

How big does a Giant otter get? Here is an overview over the average adult age:

A grown Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) reaches an average size of 1.14 meter (3′ 9″).

When born, they have an average size of 0 cm (0′ 0″). During their lifetime of about 12.83 years, they grow from 204 grams (0.45 lbs) to 26 kg (57.32 lbs). A Giant otter has 2 babies at once. The Giant otter (genus: Pteronura) is a member of the family Mustelidae.

As a reference: Humans reach an average body size of 1.65m (5′ 5″) while carrying 62 kg (137 lbs). A human woman is pregnant for 280 days (40 weeks) and on average become 75 years old.

The average adult size of a Giant otter is (3' 9

The giant otter or giant river otter(Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft). Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggression, and reassurance.The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal.Its distribution has been greatly reduced and is now discontinuous. Decades of poaching for its velvety pelt, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, considerably diminished population numbers. The species was listed as endangered in 1999 and wild population estimates are typically below 5,000. The Guianas are one of the last real strongholds for the species, which also enjoys modest numbers — and significant protection — in the Peruvian Amazonian basin. It is one of the most endangered mammal species in the neotropics. Habitat degradation and loss is the greatest current threat. The giant otter is also rare in captivity; in 2003, only 60 animals were being held.The giant otter shows a variety of adaptations suitable to an amphibious lifestyle, including exceptionally dense fur, a wing-like tail, and webbed feet. The species prefers freshwater rivers and streams, which are usually seasonally flooded, and may also take to freshwater lakes and springs. It constructs extensive campsites close to feeding areas, clearing large amounts of vegetation. The giant otter subsists almost exclusively on a diet of fish, particularly characins and catfish, but may also eat crabs, turtles, snakes and small caiman. It has no serious natural predators other than humans, although it must compete with other species, including the neotropical otter and caiman species, for food resources.

Animals of the same family as a Giant otter

We found other animals of the Mustelidae family:

Animals with the same size as a Giant otter

Not that size really matters, but it makes things comparable. So here are a couple of animals that are as big as Giant otter:

Animals with the same litter size as a Giant otter

Here is a list of animals that have the same number of babies per litter (2) as a Giant otter:

Animals with the same life expectancy as a Giant otter

Completely different animals, but becoming as old as a Giant otter:

Animals with the same weight as a Giant otter

As a comparison, here are some other animals that weight as much as the Pteronura brasiliensis: