“The charisma of these huge, Amazonian ‘river people’ burns through even the most factual descriptions, emphasized by an abundance of photographs.” —BBC Wildlife The aptly named giant otter is exceptionally well adapted to life in rivers, lakes and wetlands in tropical South America. Known in Spanish as lobo del rio or ‘river wolf,’ it can be as long as a human is tall and is the most social of the world’s thirteen otter species. Each individual is identifiable from birth by its pale throat pattern, as unique as your fingerprint. Giant otters are top carnivores of the Amazon rainforest and have little to fear . . . except man. There are many reasons why scientists and tourists alike are fascinated by this charismatic species. Spend a day in the life of a close-knit giant otter family and you’ll realize why. Learn about their diet and hunting techniques, marking and denning behavior, and breeding and cub-rearing strategies, including shared care of the youngest members. Become familiar with the complex life histories of individual otters over their 15-year lifespans. And accompany a young disperser during the trials and tribulations of a year spent looking for a mate and a home of its own. “The descriptions of the otters, their habits and their homes along with tons of jaw dropping photographs, made me feel (almost) like I was there myself. Treat yourself to a book that will transport you to a place like nowhere else on earth, where you explore the wilds of the Amazon from your own garden.” —Cayocosta 72 “An intimate, educational and a dedicated love letter to the Giant Otter.” —Queen of Geekdom

Introduces the giant river otter, describing its physical characteristics, habitat, life cycle, and ways in which young otters learn how to survive from older family members.

In the Amazon Basin, many animals hunt fish for every meal. Sometimes, this shared diet leads to a battle! Giant otters are speedy predators, but are they a match for powerful caimans? This title dives into the strengths of each animal and their tactics to take down prey. Profiles for each animal highlight their size, habitat, and range, while other features showcase their speed and summarize their prized weapons. Who do you think will win this water war?

The sun is rising over the Amazon rain forest. A giant otter slides down a muddy bank into a river. Splash! Within seconds, the otter's sleek head bursts back out of the water. In its jaws is a large fish. The speedy predator grabs its prey with its front paws and munches on its breakfast. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance to learn about the lives of these skillful hunters. The book will also help readers develop their powers of observation and challenge them with activities and critical-thinking questions about the otter's physical characteristics, its everyday life, and its hunting abilities.

Up in the trees, wading in the river, roaming the groundjungle babies can be found everywhere in the rain forest! This new series introduces young readers to some of the cutestand the most unusual-looking jungle babies around. From sweet capybara pups to adorable little squirrel monkeys, kids will love finding out about the wide range of baby animals that live in the dense rain forest of the Amazon. Developed by literacy experts, each 24-page book features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure for emergent readers. Colorful photos closely aligned to the text guarantee that kids will gain confidence in reading while learning all about the worlds most adorable jungle babies.

Otters are highly charismatic and popular animals of very considerable concern to conservationists worldwide. Written by the pre-eminent authority in the field, this book builds on the reputation of the author's landmark monograph of the European otter, Wild Otters (OUP, 1995). Furthermore, its broader scope to include all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and elsewhere leads to a deeper synthesis that greatly expands the book's overall relevance and potential readership. Aimed at naturalists, scientists and conservationists, its personal style and generously illustrated text will appeal to amateurs and professionals alike. It emphasises recent research and conservation management initiatives for all 13 species of otter worldwide, incorporates recent molecular research on taxonomy and population genetics, and discusses the wider implications of otter studies for ecology and conservation biology. As well as enchanting direct observations of the animals, there is guidance about how and where to watch and study them. From otters in the British and American lakes and rivers, to sea otters in the Pacific Ocean, giant otters in the Amazon and other species in Africa and Asia, this book provides an engaging approach to their fascinating existence, to the science needed to understand it, and to the very real threats to their survival.