Feeding of the Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil

COLARES, E.P.; WALDEMARIN, H.F. 2000. Feeding of the Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 17(1):1-6.

Abstract. In the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, three areas were monitored to study the feeding habits of the neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) using spraint analysis. The National Park of the Peixe Lagoon was monitored seasonally between August 1995 and July 1996, in the Senandes Creek five samplings were done between June and December 1995 and in the Estiva Creek monthly samplings were done between May 1995 and July 1996. In each of these areas spraints were collected and stored. In the laboratory they were washed, separated and identified. The only area where it  was possible to do a seasonal analysis of the feeding habits was the Estiva Creek. In all areas fish was the item found in the great number of spraints and crustaceans also had a considerable importance in areas with salt-water influence. The other items found were  present in few samples, being them mollusks, insect, reptiles, birds and mammals. The differences observed in the feeding habits of the species between seasons and areas probably reflects the availability of different preys, agreeing the species opportunism.