International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

ody back and forth or in a sideways snaking movement. The otter then rolls over
on its back with the back of its head and neck pressed against the ground and
repeats the process. The substrate may or may not be scratched prior or between
rubbing bouts. The rubbing is so vigorous that particles of dirt and vegetation
cling to the fur like sawdust after the otter has dried itself…. Rubbing may last 4
to 11 minutes continuously…Grooming… activities…occur before the otter(s)
enter(s) the water [as well]…. Otters rubbing the substrate cover themselves with
the scent they are spreading and later, while resting they rub themselves against
the ground and against each other until a composite scent characteristic of a pair
or even a group may evolve.” (Duplaix 1980)”
Poor fur coat condition and associated poor health and death by infections have occurred
among captive giant otters because of exposure to continually very damp/wet surfaces (see
the introduction for how these enclosure conditions are caused). It is also important to note
that giant otters will/can not groom on substrates when they become or remain very damp
or wet.
In the past, river otters were thought to be aquatic animals and unfortunately exhibits were
designed with this misconception in mind (Duplaix 1972 citing Hediger 1970). Inappropriate
enclosure conditions, esp. improper land to water ratios resulting in not enough land area or/and
improper substrates, were often the reason that health problems, such as poor coat condition,
among other serious health problems, occurred. Continued stress, improper diets, dermatological
or other diseases, or excessive chemicals (e.g. chlorine or ozone) in pool water can also be
causes, although no reports of this nature have been reported to cause poor coat condition or
related problems among captive giant otters. Immediate action must be taken to identify and
solve the problem, or if continued, death could result. Otters should not be forced or encouraged
to swim when they have poor coat condition.
“Otters possess a dense, water-resistant two-layered pelt which provides warmth,
insulation and buoyancy, but [the coat] remains a particularly vulnerable point. ...rubbing
and other grooming patterns keep the guard hairs and under-fur clean, unmatted and
dry...” (Duplaix-Hall 1972). Otters’ fur coats must remain clean, shiny, and waterproof (i.e.
water does not penetrate or even dampen the white underfur), otherwise animals will become
unhealthy, they may refuse to swim, or/and pneumonia, enteritis, or death may result
(Duplaix-Hall 1972 & 1975). If water does not form droplets and cannot be easily shaken off the
guard hairs (i.e. brown fur), the otters’ guard hairs clump together (e.g. the fur becomes matted
with dirt or mud), and water penetrates the guard hairs or the underfur becomes exposed, then
otters will become waterlogged. When an otter is waterlogged the gray/white underfur, which is
not waterproof, will become wet and the otter will have no ability to keep dry. An otter in this
condition may not swim in an effort to remain as dry as possible. If the otter does swim and it
cannot keep dry “The body temperature of a chilled otter drops rapidly and shivering is frequent,
even during sleep. Enteritis usually develops and if measures are not taken, death can follow in a
matter of days through pneumonia and/or gastro-intestinal complications.” (Duplaix-Hall1972).
To maintain health, otters must be able to adequately dry and groom themselves and stay
clean and dry when they are on land. Health problems, occurring when animals do not have
these possibilities, are especially evident when the otter’s fur coat is in poor condition. In these
cases, health can easily and quickly decline, esp. if normally fast changing enclosure conditions
worsen (e.g. wet or damp conditions can occur easily and rapidly or become worsened from rain
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