Enhydriodon (SciiFii)

The Ethiopian giant otter (Enhydriodon gigas), also known as the African giant otter and the bear otter, is a large species of otter that lived Ethiopia during the Miocene and Pliocene epoch between 6 and 2 million years ago as an extinct species, Enhydriodon omoensis, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the mangroves, marshlands, grasslands, jungles, wetlands, swamps, and mountain ranges throughout the tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of Africa to help boost biodiversity, but the largest populations are found on the Congo, South Africa and the Ethiopian Highlands. The Ethiopian giant otters are more terrestrial than other species of otters and they feed on both aquatic and terrestrial prey. The Ethiopian giant otter is one of the largest species of otters in the world and among the largest mustelids, with the weight often being more than 200 kilograms (440 lbs) or about the size of a lion. Unlike other otter species, the Ethiopian giant otter is primarily solitary throughout its life outside of breeding season. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 18 months to three years and are in estrus for about eight days of a 23-day cycle. Gestation is 82–103 days long. Only females are involved in parenting. Litter size is between one and six pups; typically two. Caves and other alcoves that offer protection are used as litter dens. Born blind, pups are completely dependent on their mother at first, and begin to be weaned at around three months of age. As they grow, they begin to go out on forays with their mother, first visiting kill sites, and after six months beginning to hunt small prey on their own. Pup survival rates are just over one per litter. Life expectancy in the wild is reported at 10 to 15 years, and probably averages 10 to 12. Ethiopian giant otters may live as long as 24 years in captivity. The conservation status of the Ethiopian giant otter is Near Threatened due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Ethiopian giant otter is a protected species and its populations are making a huge comeback.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii