International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

furnishings will also remain drier in more inland areas.) Logs 35 cm - 40 cm (14" - 16") in
diameter and upwards are ideal for the aforementioned purposes. They should be from
deciduous trees and not coniferous trees, as the latter tree may have sap that could foul the
otter’s fur. It is ideal if the logs have bark and if more than one otter can lay on them. If some
of them have large forks that the otters can lay or climb on, this will add some variety as well.
Partially submerged large diameter logs that span from the water/pool to the shoreline’s
edge are highly recommended as they are well used both in captivity and in the wild. Logs
such as this should offer ample space for at least one and preferably two or more otters to lie in a
full-extended position on and groom and dry themselves upon. Logs with large forks can also
be positioned so at least one fork is raised in the air. Otters often like to climb and stand/lie
on the raised fork above the water’s surface as long as the fork is not angled (vertically) too
sharply. Wild giant otters (including entire families) regularly use these to rest (while napping or
eating), groom, and sun themselves upon (Staib 2002). Logs with a smaller diameter that
otters are just able to rest part of their body on (e.g. their chests and front legs) while they are
eating, playing etc. in the water can also be provided in a similar way for variety, as these are
well used too. This provision would work esp. well in the deeper part of the water area where
the logs could be slanted at a sharper angle. Totally and partially submerged logs and branches
of varying sizes should be provided in water areas. The more forks that the logs and branches
have, the better. Leaves on branches and bamboo can be removed if necessary to help prevent
water filtration/drain blockage. (These furnishings will also help to provide some enrichment in
the water area for swimming, playing, chasing fish around etc..)
A large diameter log that extends over and just above a body of water or/and land area
(that otters can easily access/use as if it were a bridge) is highly recommended to offer in
addition. Otters will frequently use this to rest/lay on. Log bridges can also be cut so they
provide flat surfaces for otters (esp. those with cubs) to walk over. (A man-made wooden
bridge/cross-over could also be offered.) Large felled trees could also be provided on land, over
water/land areas, and partially and/or totally submerged in the water
Giant otters seem to naturally enjoy climbing as well as resting on the tops of surfaces that are
elevated. They will often climb and rest on large logs, logs with forks, log/wooden bridges, the
tops of large stumps or the tops of their extended roots, the tops of nestboxes, large boulders, and
safe (heavy plastic or wooden) crates (e.g. bread tray etc.) that are turned upside down. Large
diameter logs that are turned on their end and securely sunk into soft substrates or that are
standing in some other secure manner will also be used to stand or rest on. Usually at least 2-3
or more logs should be on end and side by side to provide enough surface area for otters to climb
and rest on.
Giant otters also esp. like to dig underneath large diameter tree stumps that have extended
long thick roots, so these are highly recommended for both indoor and outdoor use. These
should be placed in the mulch and/or sand deep digging areas, as well as hillside areas used for
deep digging so that the otters can fully utilize them. Such furnishings may help prevent outdoor
natural underground dens from caving in and hillside soil erosion. Live growing trees with some
exposed roots could also be provided in the deep digging areas, esp. in areas with hillsides. It is
very common for this species in the wild to dig their dens underneath tree roots (Duplaix 1980).
Submerged logs, tree stumps or boulders that extend close enough to the surface of the
water, so that the otters can stand on / rest their bodies on these items and keep their head
or other body parts above the water, are also well used by both captive and wild (Groenendijk
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