Lontra longicaudis
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~30%
The neotropical otter or neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) is a near-threatened (per the IUCN) otter species found in freshwater systems from Mexico and Central America through mainland South America, as well as the island of Trinidad. It is physically similar to the northern (L. canadensis) and southern river otter (L. provocax), which occur directly north and south of this species' range, respectively. Its head-to-body length can range from 36–66 centimetres (14–26 in), plus a tail of 37–84 centimetres (15–33 in). Body weight ranges from 5–15 kilograms (11–33 lb).
The neotropical otter is found in many different riverine habitats and riparian zones, including those in tropical and temperate deciduous to evergreen forests, savannas, llanos (of Colombia and Venezuela) and the pantanal (in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay). It prefers to live in clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams, preferably away from competition with the more boisterous giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). Unlike other otters (including the aforementioned giant species), which live in large and cohesive socio-familial units, the neotropical otter is a relatively solitary animal, feeding mostly on fish and crustaceans. Wikipedia →
Recording0:28
Argentina · 2026
© elpelado · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iberá National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 2 | Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 3 | Yasuní National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 4 | Iguazú National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 5 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 6 | Iguaçu National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zoológico de Goiânia | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 2 | Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Mulhouse | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 3 | Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 4 | Parque Ecológico de São Carlos | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 5 | Bioparque Los Ocarros | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 6 | Parque Zoológico Bosque Guarani | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 7 | Zoo Balneário Camboriú | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 8 | Zoológico do Município de São Bernardo do Campo | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 9 | Amazon Rescue Center | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 10 | GüiráOga | 🇦🇷 Argentina |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Neotropical Otter sighting in Manu National Park on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 41st most-seen of the 42 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
January, March, May and September–October
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Neotropical Otter in Manu National Park on a given day, against under 5% in February, April, June–August and November–December, the lowest months.
Between 7 and 10 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Neotropical Otter sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
5th of 6
Of the 6 parks where we can rate Neotropical Otter sightings, Manu National Park ranks 5th at about 10%. The best odds are in Iberá National Park (Argentina, about 30%), Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas (Brazil, about 20%) and Yasuní National Park (Ecuador, about 10%).
Same family: Mustelidae
The closest relatives of the Neotropical Otter that you can see in Manu National Park (family Mustelidae, Mustelids) are Giant Otter (about 30%) and Tayra (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Neotropical Otter is recorded against all the mammals logged in Manu National Park (5 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
