Jaguar versus Giant Otters — Who Wins?

Jaguar versus giant otter

We were in the Pantanal of Brazil photographing jaguars, birds, and other critters in July of 2024. Our main target was jaguars since one can see more jaguars in Pantanal than any other place in the world.

On our last day, we encountered a jaguar that locals had named Nels. He’s a handsome fellow with a huge collar. The collar is because he was rescued from wildfires in a previous year, rehabbed, and then released into the wild.

We found Nels on the Rio Cuiaba near the Three Brothers Rivers. Nels was minding his own business but was hunting for a snack of a caiman or maybe a fat, juicy capybara.

We photographed and watched Nels for maybe 20-minutes and then heard this screeching sound off to the right. My guide, Raul Guarnizo, said the sound was great otters coming to attack the jaguar. Click for Giant Otter sounds.

Jaguar versus Giant Otters sounds like a kid’s futbol match. Let’s see how this plays out.

Jaguar versus Giant Otters

Here’s the jaguar named Nels minding his own business in the Pantanal of Brazil.
Jaguar Nels comes out into the open.
Giant otter sees the Jaguar and goes on the alert.
The giant otter starts bellowing. “I’m coming for you Jaguar! You’re in my territory, dude! Get out!” That’s what it sounded like to me. Here’s the reality, though. Click to hear giant otter sounds.
Giant otter makes the turn in the river and swims right toward the Jaguar. “I’m coming for you, Jaguar!!”
Jaguar Nels comes out in the open and looks around.
Giant otter comes up to the shore. “I’m coming for you, Mr. Jaguar!”
Giant otter yells, “I’ve got my buddy, Jaguar. We’re coming for you!!”
Giant otter and his buddy start popping up and down. “We see you, Mr. Jaguar!!” The entire time they are hollering. Click here to listen to Giant Otter chatter.
Jaguar Nels appears to say “Bring it on, Mr. Otter. I’m ready for you!!”
Giant otter seems to lose interest. One last, “I see you, Mr. Jaguar. Get out of here!”
Giant otter heads on down the river. He has more important things to do.

So that’s it! One defiant jaguar and two feisty giant otters.

What fun trying to figure out what’s going on in the animal world.

Thanks for reading! I appreciate your support. I hope you appreciate my humor.

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Author: kathyadamsclark

Professional photographer leading workshops and tours. I use Canon cameras but I'm familiar with all the other brands. Love photography birds and nature. Love talking about photography and gear.

5 thoughts on “Jaguar versus Giant Otters — Who Wins?”

  4. What a great start to my morning. A cup of coffee and a nature story. You had me going, I must admit. I was all ready for a fight to the finish. But, I love happy endings with trash talking jaguars and giant otters. Hahah!

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    1. Yep, just a bunch of trash talking animals on the Pantanal. I thought the giant otters were really going to go after the jaguar. They are aggressive little buggers! Glad I could brighten your morning.

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