For only the second time in history, Giant River Otters have been successfully bred at a North American zoo. The first to have a successful birth was Philapdelphia Zoo, in 2004.
Born January 31st at Miami Zoo, there are two pups, one male and one female, each weighing between 0.9 and 1.3 kg. While they might be small now, these pups will grow up to be truly giant species of otters.
Giant Otters are the longest of the world’s 13 otter species with males reaching a length of 1.8 meter and a weight of approximately 34 kg. They are found in isolated and remote areas within some freshwater lakes, rivers, creeks, and reservoirs of tropical South America. Their numbers have been drastically reduced due to fur hunting and habitat destruction. In the wild they feed mainly on fish, but have also been known to eat caiman and snakes. They are highly social and can be found in family groups of 10 — 20 animals with a lifespan of approximately 12 years in the wild and up to 21 years in captivity. (Source: website Zooborns)
