Three Giant river otters playing on the river bank, Rio Cuiaba, Pantanal, Brazil

---

The Pantanal wetlands in Brazil are the world's largest tropical wetlands and it is a vast area rich in environmental biodiversity, harboring many endangered and threatened species. The Pantanal ecosystem is reported to be home to over 300 mammalian species, 400 fish species, 480 reptile species, 1000 bird species, and over 9000 different subspecies of invertebrates. Several family groups of Giant river otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) play and hunt along the Rio Cuiaba river systems. They have dens built into the cliffs of the river bank. Their powerful tails and big webbed feed propel them swiftly through the water.

---

Size: 5000px × 3333px
Location: Rio Cuiaba, Pantanal wetlands, Matto Grosso State, Brazil
Photo credit: © Terry Allen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: adventure, amphibious, ariranha, bank, brasiliensis, brazil, carnivorous, cuiaba, eating, family, feet, fish, fur, giant, grosso, horizontal, jaguar, largest, mammal, matto, member, mud, neotropical, otters, pantanal, playing, predator, pteronura, rio, river, social, species, state, threatened, trade, travel, water, weasel, webbed, wetlands