Measuring up to almost two metres (6 feet) long, the giant otter is the largest of its kind. Found in the Amazon, Orinoco and Río de la Plata River systems of South America, these highly social creatures build underground burrows which can house large family groups. They primarily eat fish (such as perch, catfish and […]
Tag: jaguars
Researchers tracked 172 jaguars across the Americas. What they found could help protect the big cats
There’s a map of Central and South America in a new research paper that shows the core areas for the continents’ only big cats, jaguars, and it reveals much about how these apex predators are faring. Western Brazil and parts of eastern Peru, in the heart of the Amazon Basin, are deep red, showing this […]
Why do cats purr? It’s not just a sign of happiness…
Do all cats purr? Purring is not only seen in domestic cats. Cats can be divided into those that can purr and the cats that roar. These sounds are mutually exclusive due to the structure of the larynx – often known as the voice box. In smaller cat species, such as cheetahs, cougars, domestic cats, […]
“He was dragged down to the riverbed and was rapidly running out of air…” 8 animals that deliberately drag their prey underwater to drown them
How predators kill their prey is a fascinating subject. Big cats typically either asphyxiate by pressing down on an animal’s trachea with paws and mouth, though lions will also stop its prey from breathing by covering its mouth and nose with their jaws. Jaguars deliver the coup de grace with a bite to the skull. […]
“You’re looking at one of the wildest landscapes on Earth and watching a species that almost nobody has ever studied.“
Researchers have uncovered new information about a rare rodent known as the Wolffsohn’s viscacha, allowing them to reclassify the species from Data Deficient to Endangered on Argentina’s national Red List. The Wolffsohn’s viscacha (Lagidium wolffsohni) is a relatively large rodent, measuring approximately 470mm from head to rear, with the tail extending up to 305mm. Looking like a cross between […]
“It has webbed feet, a powerful rudder-like tail and a water-resistant coat.” 7 wild cats that are incredible swimmers, with 1 underwater specialist
We think cats hate swimming – and while many do – you might be surprised to hear that many wild cats swim regularly, and (whisper it) they don’t actually hate it. From jungle rivers to African wetlands, several wild cat species are not only capable swimmers, they actually enjoy it. Whether it’s hunting, cooling off or just exploring their habitat, these felines […]
Loss of prey could drive Atlantic Forest jaguars to extinction
Conserving the dwindling jaguar population in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest won’t be possible without protecting its prey. That’s the conclusion of a new study, which found that the absence of deer, peccaries and other animals that sustain these big cats is driving it toward local extinction. Jaguars (Panthera onca) once ranged from the southwestern U.S. to Argentina and […]
Giant otters, river sentinels, now listed as threatened migratory species
With evidence that the giant river otter is in an increasingly perilous state, delegates to the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) listed it as an animal requiring urgent conservation action at its March 2026 meeting in Campo Grande, Brazil. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), endemic to tropical river systems in South America, […]