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Perro de agua (giant otter)


Perro de agua (giant otter)
Photo Information
Copyright: Yvonne Becker (smash2707) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 58 W: 0 N: 58] (274)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-02-11
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-02-24 13:37
Viewed: 1110
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This mammal is called "perro de agua" in Spanish and "giant otter" in English. I made this shot in the Parque del Este, a large park in Caracas full of various vegetation and a small zoo. People come here to jog, to play soccer or do tai-chi, among other sports activities, to take a nap or ride some paddle boats or simply to enjoy nature.

I just resized the picture to meet TN size requirements.

"Geographic Range
Pteronura brasiliensis is endemic to South America. It is found throughout the Orinoco, Amazon, and La Plata River systems, which range from east of the Andes mountains in northern Argentina north to Venezuela and Colombia.

Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical (native ).

Habitat
Pteronura brasiliensis lives in lentic freshwater rivers, lakes and creeks. On occasion, they are seen in agricultural canals and reservoirs of small dams, although they prefer gently sloped river banks and secluded areas with overhanging vegetation.

Aquatic Biomes:
lakes and ponds; rivers and streams.

The estimated lifetime of P. brasiliensis is 10-13 years.

Behavior
Pteronura brasiliensis lives in family groups of 5-8 individuals. Families have home ranges of 12 sq. km. Members of the family, which include a monogamous pair and several generations of offspring, clear an area along a streamside for living. These areas can be up to 50 sq meters and are usually located near feeding sites. Preparation of the living area includes trampling the surface vegetation, collecting tree limbs and leaves and embedding the leaves and branches into the trampled mud patch. Large burrows are then constructed under fallen logs. In addition, one to five communal latrines are placed along the site perimeter. Finally, the territory is marked by scent from the anal glands. If intruders invade the territory, parents defend it and their offspring.

Although separate territories are maintained, P. brasiliensis is a highly social mammal. Social activities include grooming, hunting, resting and communicating. Pteronura brasiliensis have 9 different vocalizations. The purposes for each of these sounds is undocumented, but vocalizations probably serve as warning signals against predators and/or contact calls.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Lutrinae
Genus: Pteronura
Species: Pteronura brasiliensis"

Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pteronura_brasiliensis.html
JoseMiguel, mlines, rbeckerb, NellyD has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hola Yvonne,
Agarraste al perro de agua en su momento de descanso!
Se le ve muy a gusto asoleándose mientras lo fotografías.
Muy bueno el punto de vista para detallar la cabeza del animal.
Conseguiste una composición muy agradable con las curvas de la base, el animal y la sombra de arriba.
Buen trabajo y gracias por mostrarlo.
Un gran saludo,
JM

Hola Yvonne,
Que bien que pudiste capturar una foto de este perrito de agua. Por lo general son muy inquietos o están escondidos por lo que es dificil fotografiarlos. Ademas se le ve muy bien la cara y esa extraña expresión que tiene. Buena foto!!!
Saludos,
Mauricio

Hi Yvonne. This is a very good capture of this otter. It is longer than other otters seen on TN. Good clarity and colours. Well done. Murray.

Yvonne,
Seleccionaste de todas las fotos del Perrito de Aguas la m'as expresiva y la mejor en mi opinion.
Gracias por porla y bienvenida despues de muchos días sin verte.

Rolf

  • Great 
  • NellyD Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 237 W: 0 N: 445] (1783)
  • [2007-02-25 12:27]

Hi Yvonne,

This is a very good capture of this otter. And you were lucky, mostly these animals are real quick :-)
I like the natural colours, it's a lovely picture.
Thanks for sharing.

Greetings, Nel

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