%0 Journal Article
%T Breeding Behavior of Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in the Xixua¨² Reserve, Roraima, Brazil
%A Emanuela Evangelista
%A Fernando C.W. Rosas
%J IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
%D 2011
%I IUCN Otter Specialist Group
%X A population of giant otters was studied in the central Brazilian Amazon at the Xixua¨² Reserve, Roraima, in order to gather ecological and behavioral data. Through the period 2000-2003 14 litters were recorded, all concentrated in a few months (August-December) during the receding water and low water seasons. The reproductive peak seems to be connected to the food availability in the water river system. Litter size varied from 1 to 4 cubs with an average of 1.8 (n=12). It was confirmed that a strong positive correlation exists between group size and reproductive rate, although no evidence of the ¡°baby-sitting¡± system described by other authors was found. The study supplies information on cub development and confirms that all the group members are involved in the cubs rearing.
%K breeding behavior
%K seasonality
%K reproduction
%K litter size
%K Pteronura brasiliensis
%K giant otter
%U http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Bulletin/Volume24A/Evangelista_Rosas_2007.html