Mammals
Carnivores

Giant Otter

Pteronura brasiliensis

Pantanal, Brazil - August 2000

As its name suggests this endangered otter is large: from nose to tail it can reach up to 2m in length. In the Pantanal they are relatively easy to see and come close to boats in the hope of free handouts from the boatmen. Elsewhere in South America they are rare and declining due to persecution from fishermen and hunters.