Habitat:
slow-moving rivers, marshes and floodplain lakes

Description:
The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a semi-aquatic mustelid measuring 1.5–1.8 m in length (including tail) and weighing 22–32 kg. It inhabits slow-moving rivers, marshes, and floodplain lakes in tropical South America from the Orinoco to the Amazon. Highly social, it lives in family groups of 4–20 individuals, digs riverbank dens, and uses loud vocalizations. A specialist carnivore, it hunts fish and crustaceans by diving, propelled by its powerful tail. Females give birth in the dry season (August–September), and group members reinforce bonds through mutual grooming.

Recommended lens:
>=600 mm

Photography tips:
To photograph the giant otter, position yourself in a low-profile hide by the water during the dry season. Use a telephoto lens ≥600 mm on a monopod or gimbal for stability. Shoot in shutter-priority at 1/2000 s or faster, aperture f/8–f/11 for sharpness. Enable continuous autofocus and capture in RAW. Anticipate dives and vocalizations to time your shots precisely.