International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
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It is not uncommon that pink foot/toe pads develop into a more unhealthy state (i.e. cracks,<br />
cuts, small red sores, rawness, dried out appearance, moderate to dark pink or worse red color,<br />
etc. are not that uncommon of an occurrence on pads <strong>and</strong> webbing, see more descriptions<br />
below). This is because pink foot/toe pads can quickly <strong>and</strong> easily develop into a more<br />
unhealthy state when l<strong>and</strong>/floor substrates/surfaces remain very damp or wet or other<br />
inappropriate provisions exist. Continual exposure to rough, coarse, abrasive, all hard, wet<br />
or very damp, slow drying or poor draining enclosure substrates/surfaces results in very<br />
unhealthy feet (see the introduction above for a list of these substrates). E.g. pebbles, gravel,<br />
<strong>and</strong> small rocks (whether smooth, rounded, or not) are coarse <strong>and</strong> hard <strong>and</strong> when they are<br />
provided alone or they are mixed throughout soil or s<strong>and</strong> they will damage the otters feet<br />
<strong>and</strong> they are not comfortable for otters to use. See the introduction above for the<br />
inappropriate substrate types, depths, <strong>and</strong> qualities, l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area locations <strong>and</strong><br />
designs, <strong>and</strong> locations for nestboxes, dens <strong>and</strong> areas for natural underground dens which<br />
cause l<strong>and</strong> areas (including sleeping areas) to remain very damp/wet. An infection could<br />
result if foot <strong>and</strong>/or enclosure conditions continue to decline. E.g. wet or damp conditions can<br />
occur easily <strong>and</strong> rapidly or become worsened from rain or high humidity (esp. extended<br />
periods), enclosure cleaning, <strong>and</strong> water that is normally tracked/carried onto l<strong>and</strong> by the otters.<br />
Irritation <strong>and</strong> damage are present when any part of the pads, skin, or webbing on the feet or<br />
toes becomes or remains pink in color. (Note: see exceptions below for feet that have recovered<br />
from being unhealthy.) Most often the pads on unhealthy feet <strong>and</strong> toes become or remain pink.<br />
Although, when the webbing on the foot bottom is also similarly affected (either the edges of<br />
the webbing or worse, the larger area of skin between the toes), the feet are considerably more<br />
unhealthy. When the webbing on the top of the feet becomes pink, as well as the bottom of the<br />
webbing, this indicates a more serious problem is evident. The darker the pink color (whether<br />
on the pads or webbing) the more unhealthy the feet are. When foot health condition worsens,<br />
pads, webbing, or skin can become darker pink (e.g. moderate to very/dark pink) or even red in<br />
color, raw, cracked, cut, dried out in appearance, <strong>and</strong> small red sores can develop. Bleeding<br />
may also occur. In worst cases an infection may be possible. The following foot conditions<br />
were observed when soft natural substrates were not covering hard enclosure floors/l<strong>and</strong>, when<br />
only some soft substrates were available, when coarse surfaces, such as smooth pebbles, were<br />
present, or/<strong>and</strong> when conditions were very damp or wet for an extended period. In some cases<br />
the lack of sufficient l<strong>and</strong> area, because of inappropriate l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, also existed. The<br />
giant otters housed in these conditions were observed to have dark pink or red <strong>and</strong> irritated<br />
looking foot/toe pads <strong>and</strong> they sometimes also had obvious <strong>and</strong> irritated cracks, small sores, <strong>and</strong><br />
cuts within their pads. As well, the edges of the foot webbing <strong>and</strong> when severe even the main<br />
webbing area between the toes (both on the foot’s bottom or/<strong>and</strong> top side) <strong>and</strong> the foot/toe skin<br />
also appeared sore <strong>and</strong> pink to dark pink or even red <strong>and</strong> raw. Cracks or cuts were also evident<br />
in the webbing. Unfortunately, some of the more serious foot conditions just described are not<br />
that uncommon of an occurrence.<br />
All indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor enclosure l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor surfaces must be nearly entirely covered<br />
with soft s<strong>and</strong>, mulch, or/<strong>and</strong> soil, as recommended, i.e. with appropriate substrate depths,<br />
types, <strong>and</strong> qualities, to prevent foot <strong>and</strong> toe pads from becoming pink. Additionally,<br />
unhealthy feet can not fully recover until this provision is offered. It has recently been<br />
discovered that this is the most important husb<strong>and</strong>ry method needed to maintain healthy<br />
natural foot condition, prevent foot problems, <strong>and</strong> improve unhealthy feet. This type of<br />
husb<strong>and</strong>ry practice alone can help unhealthy feet, affected by continual exposure to<br />
inappropriate surfaces, recover to a very significantly healthier state or a completely healthy<br />
natural state. Appropriate l<strong>and</strong> to water area ratios, as well as the recommended<br />
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