What Is Echocardiography? Echocardiography (EK-o-kar-de-OG-rah-fee), or echo, is a painless test that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. The pictures show the size and shape of your heart. They also show how well your heart's chambers and valves are working.
Taxonomy/Description. The Giant Otter's scientific name is Pteronura brasiliensis, which means winged tail belonging to Brazil, although this otter species is not limited to Brazil. Winged refers to the fin-like shape of the giant otter's tail. The giant otter is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, in the Mammalian Order of Carnivora.
Description: Size: From nose to tail, the North American River Otter is 100 to 153 cm long. The tail alone is 31-46 cm long. Color: This otter is very dark in color. They have a brown to red back, with lighter cheeks and throat (not demarcated though), and an even lighter belly.