International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

all substrates) with/without vegetation, needs to retain all of the recommended substrate
qualities. When it can not it will not remain dry enough (it also will erode too easily or become
tightly packed/compacted). [The otters’ strong natural digging and grooming behaviors
(grooming also involves digging/scratching into substrates) must not be prevented.] Hard
surfaces are not absorbent and water cannot drain through them.
Surfaces may not remain dry enough when the depth of soil, sand, or mulch fall below the
minimum depth recommended or substrate quality (esp. mulch quality) is not maintained as
recommended. Water naturally drains through mulch and soft sand esp. well, therefore these
land furnishings used in both indoor and outdoor enclosures and over most all surface types, dry
easily and quickly if they are maintained properly. Substrate depths more shallow than the
recommended minimum of 10 cm to 20 cm (4” to 8”) will not dry as easily or quickly and they
can remain wet/very damp. When mulch breaks and packs down (i.e. bark pieces have broken
into small pieces and they pack tightly together) the same problems will occur. Note: new
mulch must be added on top of existing mulch that has broken into small pieces and packed
down and new sand, mulch, or soil must be added on top of the already existing layer when it
falls below minimum depth. (Note: substrates should also be as deep as possible in the areas
near the water’s edge.) Small or limited grooming areas will also remain very damp/wet when
they are the only areas offered for grooming.
How wet nestboxes, dens and natural underground dens themselves become/remain is not
only dependent upon how close these areas are to the water, but it is also dependent on all
enclosure conditions. The following can occur when nestboxes, dens, or areas for natural
underground dens are located too close to the water (i.e. less than 3 m (10 ft) away from the
water’s edge) or when any of the other inappropriate conditions mentioned above exist.
The dens, nestboxes (including bedding substrates) or natural underground dens and the land
around these locations can remain very damp/wet. In addition, the land around the water and/or
the remaining/other enclosure land areas can remain very damp/wet. E.g. when the otters leave
the water to enter their sleeping areas, water will be easily tracked and carried into the nestboxes
and underground dens, as well as onto the land that lies between these resting places and the
water. (Note: because giant otters take naps throughout the day, numerous trips of this nature
can be made during the day, although they also rest on other land areas as well.) Otters will also
quickly dampen/wet these areas when they use them to dry off and groom on because sufficient
land area and/or adequate substrates are not conveniently available for them to use for these
activities before they enter their sleeping areas. Without sufficient land area and/or adequate
substrates, the aforementioned areas will likely remain very damp or wet. Note: young cubs
will primarily stay/be kept by their parents in and near their nestboxes, dens, and natural
underground dens and on the land near the water’s edge. In inappropriate conditions, as above,
otters will be exposed to damp/wet conditions for long/extended periods and poor health,
serious health problems, or even death can result (see Section 3 above for cub death because of
such conditions). Parents, with no other choice, will be subject to keeping their cubs as well as
themselves in such conditions. Also when insufficient land area exists, parents may be
encouraged to put their cubs into the water more frequently than they should.
Locations and Designs to Offer Parents Privacy/Isolation From Human Disturbances and
Presence During Cub-Rearing
Chapter 2 Section 10B describes the enclosure, nestbox, den, and hill/bank (i.e. areas for natural
underground dens) locations and designs needed to isolate these areas from human disturbances
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