We all know that a single bite from a crocodile can destroy any animal on Earth. Being fully aware of its immense strength,
anything that crosses its path regardless of its size or ferocity is considered a permissible meal.
On the banks of the Amazon River in South America, a group of crocodiles stands facing an enormous otter from behind.
This otter boldly crossed in front of the crocodiles a move no other animal would dare to make.
And despite the fact that the giant otter is neither the largest nor the fiercest animal and that crocodiles prey on buffalo, sharks, birds, reptiles, and more they do not dare approach it.
The reason? They are well aware of the consequences that await them.
This otter is not alone; it is part of a family that could be called a gang or a mafia. Anyone who dares approach one of its members automatically earns the enmity of the entire gang.
Numerous recorded incidents show otter gangs attacking and tormenting crocodiles in the water.
But first, let’s get to know the otter and understand why it has no problem confronting some of the fiercest and most dangerous animals on Earth going so far as to instill fear in them to the point that they avoid attacking it altogether.
Giant otter
The giant otter, or Giant Otter, is known by different names depending on the country.
In Brazil, it is called the "Water Jaguar," while in Spain, it is referred to as the "Water Dog" or "River Fox." This mammal belongs to the mustelid family and is the longest of all mustelid species.
The otter family includes three other members in the same continent of South America: the Neotropical otter (Neotropical Otter), the North American river otter (North American River Otter), and the sea otter (Sea Otter).
However, the giant otter is the largest and most formidable of them all.
Here, we are not talking about the cute otter that floats on its back in the water, playfully waving its paws as seen in viral social media videos.
Instead, we are discussing a creature whose most common footage consists of tormenting and brutally spilling the blood of its prey.
Giant otter size
While the lengths of other otter species range between 62 and 120 cm, the giant otter can grow up to 1.7 meters roughly the height of an adult human when standing. Additionally, it can weigh up to 34 kilograms.
Characteristics of the giant otter
The giant otter possesses a muscular tail, strong hearing, sharp vision, and an excellent sense of smell, along with incredible endurance.
However, none of these traits are as important or as powerful as its most significant advantage, which is the main reason why even predators fear it.
These animals are highly social, accustomed to living in large groups that can reach up to 20 individuals.
They carry out all their activities in cooperation with one another and are known for their extreme aggression, especially when defending their territories.
The family consists of a father, mother, and offspring, all living together in burrows or dens they create near riverbanks.
These burrows are large, with multiple entrances and rooms, one of which is specifically designated for giving birth a process that typically occurs between August and September.
Birth and raising of giant otter pups
The mother gives birth to anywhere from one to six young at a time and continues to care for them for about a month.
By October or November, the young begin to leave the den. Interestingly, during this time, the water levels are low, and there is an abundance of fish in the area.
This situation makes it easier for the mother and father to hunt and feed their young.
At the same time, it also facilitates the young ones' learning process of hunting on their own. Interestingly, during this stage, hunting is not limited to just the mother and father in order to gather enough food for the young.
In fact, the older offspring also participate in hunting to provide food for their younger siblings.
This clearly shows the level of cooperation within the family unit of river otters.
However, despite this cooperation, you can often see them hunting alone or in pairs.
Their true danger, though, lies within their groups, where their collective strength and coordination make them a formidable force.
Characteristics of each individual of the giant otter
Each individual is characterized by enough speed and agility, and they are accustomed to attacking large prey as a group, from different angles, as if coordinating their efforts.
One will distract the crocodile from one side, while another sneaks up from behind, creating a well-organized and effective hunting strategy.
The idea of coordinating efforts is not merely based on instinct and the individual capabilities of each otter.
Researchers have discovered a form of communication between river otters, with some using a specific set of sounds to communicate.
These sounds may serve as warnings, reassurance, or even cries to attract attention to any intruder in their territory before launching an attack.
Moreover, there is a system within the family, with a form of leadership and obedience to commands, showing an organized and strategic structure.
The role of the mother in giant otter groups
Most otter families have a dominant leader or figure who controls the group, and this role is often taken on by the mother.
She is the one who decides when the family goes hunting, and when to attack or defend their territory.
The role of the father in giant otter groups
The father comes in second place, with his most important roles being the patrols he conducts either alone or with his older offspring around their territory, as well as hunting on his own during the month when the mother is caring for her newborns.
Giant otter growth
The giant otter grows very quickly. By eight months after birth, the young reach the size of their adult counterparts.
They can distinguish each other by a white mark that appears on their throat, below the chin, and sometimes on the upper part of the chest.
When they encounter one another, they raise their heads to display the mark, signaling and identifying themselves to each other.
What does a giant otter eat?
As for their diet, they consume whatever is available to them. Fish is their primary meal, while snakes serve as appetizers.
They also hunt and eat primates and even anacondas. Notably, the giant otter typically consumes its prey while it is still alive.
The anacondas they consume are capable of hunting large animals on their own, such as jaguars or even the black caiman crocodile, which is one of the main predators in the Amazon waters.
There are many documented videos showing caimans fleeing their locations when the giant otters appear in the area.
On a daily basis, each river otter consumes 3 to 4 kilograms of meat, meaning a family of ten members would require 40 kilograms of meat each day.
This could be one of the main reasons behind their cooperation in hunting.
The secret of the giant otter's superiority over the most dangerous and powerful beasts
However, their attacks on large animals are often not for food, but rather to defend their territory.
The secret to their superiority over these types of predators, which rank among the deadliest and most powerful beasts of the Amazon, lies in their cooperation, along with their individual abilities.
In the end, the giant otter, or river fox, can teach us an incredibly important lesson: individual strength is not everything. Sometimes, an individual may possess extraordinary traits and skills.
However, a group where no single member possesses even half of the individual's abilities can easily surpass them, simply due to their unity and mutual support.