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