International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

substrates, are needed to keep surfaces dry enough, so they also must be provided to
prevent foot problems. The other recommended land and water area locations and
designs should be provided for similar reasons. See the study below on which these
conclusions are, in part, based on.
It seems that giant otters that have had unhealthy feet for only a short period, because of
temporary exposure to hard surfaces, can return to 100% healthy normal foot condition after
they are housed on appropriate substrates and land to water ratios. (It is important to note that
only one otter was studied who was in this situation and that more research should be conducted
to draw more definitive conclusions. This affected otter developed very unhealthy feet after just
over one week of exposure to all concrete. See the study below.)
On the other hand, giant otters that have recovered from having unhealthy foot conditions
for a long time (i.e. for years) may only exhibit after recovery off-white/light pink color
foot and toe pads (i.e. pads appear healthy in all other aspects) with all other parts of the foot
returned to full health. Sometimes permanent scars from deep cracks/cuts may occur. Such
recovery can occur within a few months after otters are provided with the recommended
substrates and land to water ratios. It is unknown at this time whether the off-white/light
pink pads represent that the feet are permanently damaged to some extent (i.e. they can
never recover to full 100% health/normality) or if these pads can simply never recover to a
brown color and off-white/light pink does represent 100% full recovery for these otters. It
does although represent a very significant recovery. It seems that these off-white/light pink
pads can easily become, at least temporarily, a pink color when substrates remain very damp or
wet for even short periods (i.e. for days) or during extended rainy or very humid periods.
Otters that have had completely healthy feet (i.e. all brown etc.) throughout their lifetime
or that have recovered from having unhealthy feet for only a short period, seem resistant
to developing problems (i.e. will not be negatively affected) during such aforementioned
conditions, as long as substrates and land to water ratios are provided as recommended.
Otters that have recovered from having unhealthy foot conditions for a long time seem to
develop problems readily during the aforementioned situations. Pads on feet recovered from
long-term unhealthiness can also briefly turn a pink color during and/or just after the otter has
been active (e.g. digging, exercising on land, swimming etc.). Even when the otter has just been
swimming in the water and has spent very little time on land (e.g. after waking) or the otter has
just woken (but not walked) and vocalizes for extended periods, the foot pads can change in the
manner just described. (Note: such pads can also remain off-white/light pink during activity.)
It seems that when blood circulation is significantly increased the pads can turn from an offwhite/light
pink to a pink color because of the increased blood circulation alone. Possibly,
because of long-term damage to the foot pads, the pad pigmentation has been lost and therefore
such changes can be easily seen. These changes can not be seen on giant otters that have always
had healthy foot condition or that have recovered from short-term damage [as in the
aforementioned study].)
Although the known number of giant otters that recovered as aforementioned in the last
paragraph, were limited, the results obviously indicate that the chance that other individuals can
make similar recoveries, if given such an opportunity, is very significant and therefore
reasonable conclusions can be drawn. (Four individuals recovered in this matter. At least one
other giant otter was known to have been offered appropriate enclosure conditions after living in
inappropriate conditions, although no reports are known on this otter's recovery. The enclosure
conditions of two other otters have been improved, but only partially, and reports indicated that
their foot health improved in correlation with the amount of enclosure condition improvements.
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