GrisonGalictis vittata Size: body=50 cm; tail=15 cm; weight=2 kg Description: Muscular, with a long, low body and very short legs and tail. Distinctive colouration: grizzled grey above, white stripe on sides of neck and across forehead, black face, limbs, and underside of neck. Unlikely to be confused with another species. Activity: Probably diurnal; terrestrial, swims well. Habits: Poorly known; it is seldom seen and apparently rare throughout its range. It may travel alone or in pairs. It dens in armadillo burrows and other openings in the ground. The diet includes small reptiles, birds, and mammals. It is usually silent but may snort or growl if threatened. Habitat: Lowland forest and savannah. Most often sighted near rivers or streams. Signs: Tracks are five-toed, about 40 to 50 mm wide, with prominent claw marks. Status: Not yet recorded from Iwokrama Forest, but almost certainly present and likely uncommon

Bush DogSpeothos venaticus Makushi name: Ai Creole name: Short tail dog Size: body=65 cm; tail=12 cm; weight=6 kg Description: Small and low-slung. Head paler than body; tail very short, often held upright. Front feet broad with partial webbing between the toes. An odd-looking dog unlikely to be confused with other species. Activity: Probably diurnal; terrestrial; swims well. Habits: Little known in the wild. It is usually seen in pairs or small groups in the forest, and it forms strong pair-bonds in captivity. It dens in burrows or at the base of hollow trees. The few observations of wild Bush Dogs are mostly while it was hunting: it has been seen chasing Paca into water and a group of 4 to 6 was seen pursuing a Paca through the forest, yapping like puppies. It is thought to be strictly carnivorous and eats agouti, Paca and fish. Vocalizations include yelps, whines, barks and high-pitched squeaks. Habitat: Mature forest, usually near water. Signs: Tracks with four toes and some claw marks usually present; front track rather broad (about 45 mm), hind track longer and narrower (about 42 mm); foot pad relatively small compared to cat tracks of similar size. Status: Rare. Listed on CITES Appendix I. IUCN rank of Vulnerable

River OtterLontra longicaudis Makushi name: Saro, Pînmaimî Creole name: Small Water Dog, Crab Dog Size: body=65 cm; tail=40 cm; weight=6.5 kg Description: Distinctive low, streamlined shape reflects its semiaquatic habits. Upperparts brown, underparts pale grey to whitish. Feet webbed; tail thick at base, tapered at tip. Unlikely to be confused with any mammal except Giant Otter, which has white markings on the throat and is much larger. Activity: Diurnal where not hunted; terrestrial and semiaquatic. Habits: Usually solitary; groups are sometimes seen, commonly a mother with almost full-grown offspring or a male-female pair. Den is located in burrows on banks, with the entrance above or below water. This species is always found in or near water. It is a fast and agile swimmer, but moves with an awkward, humping gait on land. It eats fish and aquatic invertebrates and may occasionally take birds or mice. Lone individuals are usually silent, mothers with young may whistle, purr, or growl. Habitat: Along forested rivers, streams and lagoons. Usually found along larger bodies of water, subadults may disperse by traveling along tiny creeks. Signs: Tracks often seen on sandy banks; tracks broad (60 to 80 mm in adults) with distinctive webbing between toes, tail leaves drag marks between tracks; scat (droppings) are conspicuously placed on rocks in or near water, scat usually contains large amounts of invertebrate exoskeleton. Status: Rare. Listed on CITES Appendix I. Distribution in Iwokrama

Giant OtterPteronura brasiliensis Makushi name: Turara Creole name: Water Dog Size: body= 1 m; tail= 60 cm; weight= 30 kg Description: Large; low, streamlined profile. Rich chocolate brown above and below with cream-white markings on the throat and chin. Feet webbed; tail thick at base, flattened into a paddle toward tip. River Otter is smaller with a pale belly. Activity: Diurnal; semiaquatic. Habits: This otter is usually seen in groups of five or more, consisting of an adult pair and young of different ages. Offspring remain with their parents for several years. The group sleeps at night in a burrow on the riverbank, the burrow entrance is above water. These otters are always found close to rivers or other large bodies of water. The diet consists mainly of fish; caiman and other animals found close to water may be consumed occasionally. Fish are usually held on the chest and eaten in the water, but may be dragged to a bank If disturbed in the water, the entire group will crane their heads up and snort sharply. Undisturbed groups are noisy, humming and whining to each other, or squealing in dispute. The social nature, diurnal habits, and limited habitat of this species have made it an easy target for hunters who kill it for fur and because it eats fish. It has been eliminated from many large rivers. Habitat: Along large bodies of water (rivers, lakes, and flooded areas) in remote regions. Signs: Tracks are similar to River Otter, but larger (about 100 mm wide), tail leaves clear drag marks; burrows on banks with conspicuous trampled areas […]