A full-grown pygmy hippopotamus weighs only about 400 lb, a tenth of the weight of the average adult hippopotamus. An exhibition cleaner at Hamburg, Germany’s Hagenbeck Zoo has been hospitalized after being attacked by an escaped giant otter. Most occurred in … In the Dilolo swamps, he heard tales of a similar creature which the natives called chimpekwe. It lives in streams, wetlands and slow flowing larger rivers. The author’s expertise in field observation and research are clear in the writing that is at once informative and accessible. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Chris Whitney, 13, and Jacob Savage, 14, had been jumping off rocks into the reservoir when between three and five animals attacked them, chasing them down a narrow arm of the lake as they swam for the shore. Giant otters are very big, very noisy and move in large groups. An eight year old boy and his grandmother were also attacked by a four-feet long male otter while swimming in a river in Washington State in 2014. I just remember looking back at it and seeing it's teeth, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Family of otters attack two teenage boys swimming in California lake, Rare video shows wild sea otter giving birth, US aquarium trains otter to use inhaler after smoke from Seattle wildfires gives it asthma, Otter launches 'bloody' attack on restaurant, leaves owner 'terrified', eight year old boy and his grandmother were also attacked, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. All three names ar… Giant Otter This South American otter is the world's largest, at some 6 feet long. The friends had injuries on their necks, legs, and feet, Chris' father Ryan Whitney told local media. It is found in the main rainforest block of central Africa from Nigeria to Zambia, with a few isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. The giant otter shrew (Potamogale velox) is a semiaquatic, carnivorous afrotherian mammal. But, within the giant otter’s range (which is, unfortunately, rapidly shrinking), this is not the case. This animal is amphibian and mainly terrestrial. In 1912, Hans Schomburgk returned to Liberia, and to the dismay of his critics, came back with five live pygmy hippos. The giant otter is large, gregarious, and diurnal. The giant otter is the longest species among mustelids although not the heaviest. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. When the zoo cleaner saw the animal, she screamed and the six-foot-long giant otter pounced on her. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. A giant otter, though can reach 1.7 meters in length and weigh about thirty kilograms at a muscular tail strength, endurance acute hearing and sharp eyes along with the great. Beavers have attacked dogs at Anchorage's University Lake, but wildlife biologists said they were not aware of attacks by river otters. There remains no good explanation for the escape and sudden appearance of the otter. Of smell, but this is not the end either. However, to … Even those traditionally seen as completely adorable. On the one hand, adult males are between 5 and 6 feet long and weigh between 70 and 99 pounds and on the other, females measure between 5 and 5 1/2 feet in length and weigh between 48 and 58 pounds. Both the child and his grandmother were hospitalised and needed extensive medical treatment. A family of otters attacked two teenage boys who were swimming in Shasta Lake, California, on Sunday morning. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Facts about Sea Otter, Giant Otter, European Otter, African Otter and River Otter. Aside from human beings, of course. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. Tiny but deadly, mosquitoes carry and transfer malaria causing parasites to humans. Giant Otter grabs the fish tightly between the forepaws and starts eating with a noise in the head. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. https: ... And I've seen a Caiman attack 3 Otters with their fish kill, easily dispatching them and wounding one as they all retreated. “I noticed blood all over their legs and their feet. The strength of a polar bear is enough to decapitate a human being with a single swipe of the paw. And the problem is, they tend to do so as a herd. Animals can be GIANT JERKS. Their long tail may add as much as 70cm (28in) to this body length. It might not be the most poisonous snake, but thanks to its unique spit and strike attack technique, the Asian Cobra is responsible for more human deaths than any other snake on the planet. They sat down and they were crying in pain,” Mr Whitney said. They're very interesting to watch,” Battle said. The attack happened June 2, 2012, as the zoo cleaner, whose name was not reported, scrubbed benches, Germany media reported Friday, June 8, 2012. Giant otter attack! The widely publicized incident led to a popular belief in Brazil that giant otters can attack and capsize a canoe and tear its occupants to pieces, though no such thing has ever happened. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. It ... Duplaix speculated that piranhas may attack giant otters. The otters probably perceived the dog as a threat, biologist Dave Battle said. Chris told a local news channel the otters "just kept getting at our legs and our feet. Whilst the boy escaped Sgt Hollembach was attacked by the 6 otters resulting in more than a hundred bites. On average, are 15ft long and 5,000lb, and can detect a drop of blood in 25 gallons of water. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Each frog produces enough of the toxin to kill 10 humans. They might look cute, but the backs of the Amazonian poison dart frog ooze a slimy neurotoxin to keep predators away. Own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and they 're doing all their activities the river for predators, it. This endangered species has since generated a body of research the messed things. 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