Treetop shelter of a Neotropical River Otter cuba (Lontra longicaudis - Carnivora: Mustelidae) in an Amazonian flooded forest

SANTOS, P.M.R.S.; KINUPP, V.F.; COLETTO-SILVA, A. 2007. Treetop shelter of a Neotropical River Otter cuba (Lontra longicaudis - Carnivora: Mustelidae) in an Amazonian flooded forest. Acta Amazonica 37(2):309-312.

Abstract. The finding of a Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) cub occupying a shelter in a hollowed treetop is reported. The observation was made in a seasonally flooded forest in Central Amazonia, during the high water peak of the annual inundation cycle. A literature review indicates that this is the first description of a shelter of the species, both in a hollowed tree and in Amazonia. This observation can indicate a strong relationship between the species’ breeding cycle with the annual dynamics of Amazonian rivers. We discuss potential advantages and disadvantages of breeding when water level is high.