International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

It is not uncommon that pink foot/toe pads develop into a more unhealthy state (i.e. cracks,
cuts, small red sores, rawness, dried out appearance, moderate to dark pink or worse red color,
etc. are not that uncommon of an occurrence on pads and webbing, see more descriptions
below). This is because pink foot/toe pads can quickly and easily develop into a more
unhealthy state when land/floor substrates/surfaces remain very damp or wet or other
inappropriate provisions exist. Continual exposure to rough, coarse, abrasive, all hard, wet
or very damp, slow drying or poor draining enclosure substrates/surfaces results in very
unhealthy feet (see the introduction above for a list of these substrates). E.g. pebbles, gravel,
and small rocks (whether smooth, rounded, or not) are coarse and hard and when they are
provided alone or they are mixed throughout soil or sand they will damage the otters feet
and they are not comfortable for otters to use. See the introduction above for the
inappropriate substrate types, depths, and qualities, land and water area locations and
designs, and locations for nestboxes, dens and areas for natural underground dens which
cause land areas (including sleeping areas) to remain very damp/wet. An infection could
result if foot and/or enclosure conditions continue to decline. E.g. wet or damp conditions can
occur easily and rapidly or become worsened from rain or high humidity (esp. extended
periods), enclosure cleaning, and water that is normally tracked/carried onto land by the otters.
Irritation and damage are present when any part of the pads, skin, or webbing on the feet or
toes becomes or remains pink in color. (Note: see exceptions below for feet that have recovered
from being unhealthy.) Most often the pads on unhealthy feet and toes become or remain pink.
Although, when the webbing on the foot bottom is also similarly affected (either the edges of
the webbing or worse, the larger area of skin between the toes), the feet are considerably more
unhealthy. When the webbing on the top of the feet becomes pink, as well as the bottom of the
webbing, this indicates a more serious problem is evident. The darker the pink color (whether
on the pads or webbing) the more unhealthy the feet are. When foot health condition worsens,
pads, webbing, or skin can become darker pink (e.g. moderate to very/dark pink) or even red in
color, raw, cracked, cut, dried out in appearance, and small red sores can develop. Bleeding
may also occur. In worst cases an infection may be possible. The following foot conditions
were observed when soft natural substrates were not covering hard enclosure floors/land, when
only some soft substrates were available, when coarse surfaces, such as smooth pebbles, were
present, or/and when conditions were very damp or wet for an extended period. In some cases
the lack of sufficient land area, because of inappropriate land to water ratios, also existed. The
giant otters housed in these conditions were observed to have dark pink or red and irritated
looking foot/toe pads and they sometimes also had obvious and irritated cracks, small sores, and
cuts within their pads. As well, the edges of the foot webbing and when severe even the main
webbing area between the toes (both on the foot’s bottom or/and top side) and the foot/toe skin
also appeared sore and pink to dark pink or even red and raw. Cracks or cuts were also evident
in the webbing. Unfortunately, some of the more serious foot conditions just described are not
that uncommon of an occurrence.
All indoor and outdoor enclosure land and floor surfaces must be nearly entirely covered
with soft sand, mulch, or/and soil, as recommended, i.e. with appropriate substrate depths,
types, and qualities, to prevent foot and toe pads from becoming pink. Additionally,
unhealthy feet can not fully recover until this provision is offered. It has recently been
discovered that this is the most important husbandry method needed to maintain healthy
natural foot condition, prevent foot problems, and improve unhealthy feet. This type of
husbandry practice alone can help unhealthy feet, affected by continual exposure to
inappropriate surfaces, recover to a very significantly healthier state or a completely healthy
natural state. Appropriate land to water area ratios, as well as the recommended
99