Common Name: Neotropical River Otter
Scientific Name: Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818)
Physical Description: The Neotropical River Otter has webbed feet, an elongated body, short limbs and a flattened head, making it an efficient swimmer. The species also possesses a long cylindrical tail, making up one third of its body length. The otter has short, dense greyish-brown fur with lighter patches on its throat.
Behaviour: Although, fish is a main component of their diet, they have been known to be opportunistic feeders with diets consisting of, inter alia, insects, crustaceans, amphibians and reptiles. Neotropical Otters are solitary animals and forage mostly at afternoons.
Distribution/ Range: The species is found from Northern Mexico to sub-central South America. The only insular population occurs in Trinidad and Tobago. Their preferred habitats include fast flowing, clear, unpolluted streams, creeks, or rivers with riparian vegetation and potential sites for dens. However, their habitat can include shorelines, tropical rainforests or coastal savannah swamps, wetlands and even areas with agricultural activity.
Cultural Significance: Though not practiced in Trinidad, these otters were said to be trained to aid in fishing.
Threats: The otter has been hunted for its pelts and which led to declining populations in various countries. Threats also include disturbances to their natural habitat including pollution of water systems.
Legal Status: The Neotropical River Otter is currently identified as a critically endangered species under the Draft Forest Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill.
References:
Devenish, E.S. and C. Sayer. 2007. “A review of the ecology and conservation of the Neotropical River Otter, Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818), with special reference to Trinidad
Encyclopaedia of Life. 2009. “Lontra longicaudis: Neotropical Otter.” Accessed January, 2015. http://eol.org/pages/311556/overview/
Encyclopaedia of Life. 2009. “Mustilidae: Badgers, Otters, Weasels and Relatives.” Accessed January, 2015. http://eol.org/pages/7670/overview
Hailey, Adrian, ed. 2014. “The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago.” Department of Life Sciences: University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Accessed January, 2015. http://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/ogatt.asp
Waldemarin, H.F. & Alvarez, R. 2008. Lontra longicaudis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12304/0. Downloaded on 27 January 2015.
Wildscreen Arkive. nd. “Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis)." Accessed January 2015. http://www.arkive.org/neotropical-otter/lontra-longicaudis/image-G61817.html.
Wund, M. 2005. "Mustelidae" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January, 2015 http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mustelidae/
