The Use Of A Natural Cave For Breeding By Giant Otters In The Brazilian Pantanal: Observations And New Insights On Giant Otter Behavior

It has long been known that giant otters excavate dens for breeding and resting. One family of giant otters which we have observed on the Brazilian Pantanal, also use a long cave in a rocky cliff, particularly when raising cubs. The cave is not above the highest flood level, but does not usually flood, unlike excavated dens, which are very susceptible to flooding. Nearby caves were used by Neotropical Otters (Lontra longicaudis) and Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).