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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underground den building which is a challenging goal-oriented natural behavior. The greater the<br />
amount of the aforementioned qualities offered, the more stimulating the enclosure will be. (The<br />
quality of the enclosure is more important than the quantity of the enclosure.) Natural<br />
underground dens <strong>and</strong> expansive enclosures (enclosures that are 600 m 2 (6,458 ft²) or larger) also<br />
help isolate parents rearing cubs from human disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence <strong>and</strong> this is crucially<br />
important to aid successful cub-rearing (Duplaix-Hall 1975; Louzada da Silva, pers. comm.<br />
1998, Genealogical Meeting…in Brazil” 1998, Sykes 1998; Sykes-Gatz 2001).<br />
In the wild, an animal is faced with many challenges <strong>and</strong> new situations created by the<br />
unpredictable, changing, <strong>and</strong> very complex natural world in which it lives. As an animal travels<br />
throughout its territorial boundaries, it must encounter new situations using the wide variety of<br />
complex behaviors that it has learned or are innate. The captive environment is often<br />
unchanging, predictable, non-challenging, <strong>and</strong> does not offer a widely varying <strong>and</strong> complex<br />
environment. This invariably becomes a less mentally <strong>and</strong> physically stimulating environment,<br />
giving the individual fewer opportunities to use the wide variety of behaviors it has available<br />
(Hancocks 1980). In these cases, the occurrence of non/less directed or non goal-oriented<br />
behaviors, or less complicated behaviors will rise replacing the more directed intentional <strong>and</strong>/or<br />
complex behaviors. For some, boredom, frustration, stress, <strong>and</strong> even stereotypical behaviors etc.<br />
may develop. The larger, more natural <strong>and</strong> complexly structured the enclosure (including both<br />
l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> pool), the better the chance to stimulate natural goal-oriented behaviors <strong>and</strong> give the<br />
animal a sense of control in its environment. An individual will be faced with more choices,<br />
variety, challenges, behavioral opportunities, <strong>and</strong> very importantly a healthier more stimulating<br />
environment. These provisions in themselves will help reduce the chance that mental <strong>and</strong><br />
behavioral health problems will occur (Hancocks 1980; Worley <strong>and</strong> Hare 1995).<br />
When indoor or/<strong>and</strong> outdoor enclosure l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios offer smaller l<strong>and</strong> proportions<br />
than recommended or/<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>/floor surfaces are not nearly entirely covered with soft<br />
loose natural substrates (including appropriate types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths) or provided<br />
with sufficient size deep digging areas as recommended, the following problems will occur.<br />
Not enough l<strong>and</strong> area because of improper l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, small or limited deep digging <strong>and</strong><br />
grooming areas, inappropriate substrate types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths, <strong>and</strong> enclosure l<strong>and</strong> areas<br />
only partially covered with soft loose substrates are not uncommonly the only areas offered for<br />
terrestrial activities to take place. All of these areas are insufficient for any of the necessary<br />
behaviors to be carried out to their full extent. In such conditions, surfaces can/will not be dug<br />
into or groomed, played, or exercised on effectively, comfortably, or at all. Digging <strong>and</strong> full<br />
grooming behaviors can only be carried out in small or limited areas, rather than the entire l<strong>and</strong><br />
area, therefore this behavior is significantly restricted. Too often, giant otters are kept on hard<br />
or artificial surfaces (e.g. concrete, tile, rock etc.), pebbles, small/river rocks, or s<strong>and</strong> or soil<br />
mixed with pebbles, gravel, or small rocks throughout. Because the l<strong>and</strong> area that is offered is<br />
usually not soft <strong>and</strong>/or large enough it does not allow or encourage otters to use it as they should.<br />
<strong>Otter</strong>s can not play <strong>and</strong> exercise in an unrestricted <strong>and</strong> comfortable manner in such areas. (Hard<br />
or coarse surfaces are not only uncomfortable for otters to play <strong>and</strong> exercise on, but they also<br />
cause physical health problems. Insufficient l<strong>and</strong> area literally limits the physical space that<br />
otters have available to freely play <strong>and</strong> exercise.) Digging can not be carried out on hard<br />
surfaces <strong>and</strong> if otters dig in soil or s<strong>and</strong> mixed with pebbles or small rocks throughout or pebbles<br />
alone, their feet will be harmed, they can not carry out the behavior to its full extent, <strong>and</strong> a<br />
comfortable surface is not provided for these activities. Grooming can not be carried out to its<br />
full extent on the aforementioned surfaces <strong>and</strong> these surfaces do not provide comfortable areas to<br />
do such. As well, substrates that are not deep enough (i.e. below the recommended minimum<br />
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