International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Section 5
Locations and Designs for Land, Floor and Water Areas, Dens, Nestboxes & Areas for
Natural Underground Dens
Note: the term “land” refers to any base surface, whether man-made (e.g. concrete, tile,
artificial rockwork, wood, floor etc.) or natural ground (e.g. soil, mulch, sand, rock etc.), within
the giant otters’ indoor and outdoor enclosures. These areas do not include the portion of the
enclosure that is intended for water (i.e. a swimming/wading area). The term “floor” may be
used in addition to the term “land” for greater clarification. An “enclosure” refers to any area
an otter is held or has access to; e.g. this includes off-exhibit areas such as separable enclosure
or temporary holding areas etc..
Locations and Designs Necessary to Keep Land, Floors, Dens, Nestboxes & Natural
Underground Dens Dry and What Makes Them Very Damp/Wet
In every indoor and outdoor enclosure the land/floor area bordering the water area should
extend at least 5 m (16 ft) in width in the direction leading away from the water’s edge (of
course this does not refer to the total amount of land and floor area that is needed, see the
necessary land to water ratios below). This is only a minimal size width and the land and
floor area should instead be much wider and plentiful in width. (Section 9 describes when
water areas are needed indoors.) Dens, nestboxes, and areas for natural underground dens
(i.e. hills/banks) should be located a distance of at least 3 m (10 ft) away from the edge of
the water area. Concerning nestboxes and dens, this is only a minimal distance and larger
distances should be provided. The main land areas should not be totally surrounded by water
(i.e. like islands are) and this is important when enclosures are less than 600 m 2 (6,458.4 ft²) in
size. As the land area is decreased in size, the amount of land area that is exposed to the water’s
edge should also be decreased in size proportionately. The following recommendations are
based on enclosures where the land to water ratios are provided as recommended. In an
enclosure that is smaller or somewhat larger than 75 m 2 (807.3 ft²) in size, the land area
should only be bordered by/adjacent to the water’s edge on one of its sides. When
enclosures are somewhat smaller or somewhat larger than 240m² (2,583.4 ft²) in size, no
more than two sides of the land area should be bordered by/adjacent to the water’s edge.
As well, in the aforementioned enclosure sizes, long water area contour lines/edges should
not be used, although varied water area contour lines/shapes are highly recommended.
Providing the recommended land to water ratios (i.e. enough land/floor area) and substrate
depths, qualities, and types are essential as these are among the most crucial of the
conditions required for the husbandry of giant otters (see Sections 1-2). Each enclosure
below 240 m² (2,583.4 ft²) in size, requires a different land to water area ratio based on its
specific size. Enclosures between 240 m² to 600 m² (6,458 ft²) require other land to water
ratios, as do enclosures above 600 m². The land to water ratios must provide at least the
minimum size (proportion) land area required. In addition, at least the recommended minimum
substrate depths, types, and quality must be provided. See Section 7 below for further water
area designs (e.g. contour lines for enclosures significantly above 240 m² in size etc.).
The aforementioned conditions are among the most important requirements necessary for
the husbandry of giant otters. They are needed in every enclosure that has a water area to
help keep the land around the water, the dens, nestboxes, and natural underground dens
themselves and areas adjacent, as well as the remaining enclosure land, as dry as possible.
Without them, such areas will likely remain very damp/wet and health problems can
develop in these conditions. See Section 3 above for the physical as well as behavioral health
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