The Great Otter

The Great Otter currently resides in the Amazon. In the future, its habitat may become hotter, shallower, and more polluted as deforestation, drought, and increased boat traffic reduce water quality and destroy riverbank shelter. These changes could push giant otters into smaller waterways with harsher conditions. Based on current Amazon deforestation and climate-warming trends, bigger habitat shifts could occur within 50-100 years. The Giant Otter may struggle to adapt quickly enough to survive such rapid change, so one adaptation that may develop is goggle-like eyes. It would develop with a thicker membrane since oil spills are becoming more prevalent in the Amazon to help prevent irritation. This membrane would also help them see clearly while hunting in the water.