International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

pers. comm.) giant otters. They will briefly rest and balance themselves upon these surfaces to
eat and play on etc.. Additionally, partially submerged smooth boulders are well used for
surfaces to rest and eat upon. Partially submerged logs may also be rested upon. Otters also like
to lay and sun themselves on large smooth boulders, esp. those placed along a shoreline. These
therefore are recommended for use as well. (The surface texture of the boulders should not be
sharp, abrasive, or coarse.)
Observations of wild giant otter marking behavior in Suriname:
“Both adult males and females tear down the overhanging vegetation (see
Olfactory Behavior), break all small saplings, scratch up the leaves, trample the
substrate,[these actions are carried out to help mark the otters’ territory]...The
male goes ashore at 1037 and starts clutching armfuls of twigs and leaves by
rearing up on his hindpaws and grasping small branches to his chest. He pushes
them down his chest between his legs and begins to trample them…The male rises
and knocks over a thin sapling with his extended right forepaw, digits fanned, and
passes it under his body. He defecates. The female starts rubbing her forepaws
on the ground and also knocks down a sapling 1.5 cm in diameter and defecate[s]
over it. Both resume kneading the substrate for a minute before slipping into
water…[the] vegetation is bedraggled, the leaves having been trampled into the
ground….The palms are pushed backwards and forwards as well as sideways in a
stiff-legged, almost jerky fashion….The sequence lasted 2 minutes but longer ones
have been recorded, e.g. two lasting 16 minutes. That day the H pair marked on
three separate areas within 50m of each other towards the top end of their
territory.”(Duplaix 1980).
It is highly recommended to provide live growing bamboo stands and/or “man-made
bamboo stands / overhanging bamboo” that have the recommended stalk sizes that are
needed for successful utilization, in both indoor and outdoor enclosures for daily use. The
latter (i.e. bamboo cut and standing or overhanging for use) can be easily and inexpensively
constructed as the 2 nd paragraph below explains. (See the stalk sizes needed below.) Pulling
on/down, playing with, and manipulating lightweight overhanging and ground level items is one
favorite giant otter activity. (Giant otters will manipulate items when they are lying down,
standing, and standing on their hind legs.) As noted in the paragraph above, these behaviors are
similar to those they would do in the wild. Bamboo, the tall variety with the recommended
diameter stalk sizes, that overhang or/and stand vertically and are within the otter’s reach
(whether cut or growing) are most favored for this activity and are used daily in captivity.
Pteronura will also rest and play under and stand on their hind legs to manipulate/play with
overhanging bamboo (i.e. the top end of bamboo that has leaves). They will also groom, rest
on, and play with fallen/bent down bamboo. Because these provisions are used so often by
giant otters for manipulation and play, it is advisable to offer them. In addition, these
furnishings have been beneficial to help reduce stress, boredom and other negative responses.
They therefore are especially helpful during cub-rearing and when animals encounter
new/unusual situations, as well as during typical daily circumstances. (See Chapter 2 Section
3B.) Visitors also enjoy watching otters engage in these activities. Resilient, soft, and flexible
both live and cut bamboo works especially well for both otters to use and caretakers to easily
provide and maintain. It can be used/re-used by the otters for a long time after it has been cut
and live growing bamboo (if tall enough) can withstand the daily play of the otters and grow
normally without being damaged or destroyed.
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