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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Enclosures between 240 m² to 600 m² (2,583.4 ft² to ) require other l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, as<br />
do enclosures above 600 m². See Chapter 2 Section 1B for l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios. The l<strong>and</strong> to<br />
water ratios must provide at least the minimum size (proportion) l<strong>and</strong> area required<br />
within every indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor enclosure <strong>and</strong> separable enclosure area, whether the enclosure<br />
is for temporary or permanent use. (E.g. this applies to quarantine <strong>and</strong> temporary holding areas,<br />
small heated indoor spaces etc..) This is among the must crucial requirements necessary for the<br />
husb<strong>and</strong>ry of giant otters. When the l<strong>and</strong> to water ratio provides smaller l<strong>and</strong> proportions than<br />
recommended physical, mental, <strong>and</strong> behavioral health problems can develop (see Section 3<br />
above). Some indoor enclosures that are attached to outdoor enclosures may not need<br />
water areas or full-size water areas. See Chapter 2 Section 9 for when indoor enclosure<br />
water areas (e.g. pools/swim tanks) are necessary <strong>and</strong> for water temperature<br />
recommendations. Unless noted otherwise, the recommendations in this section apply to<br />
every location where a giant otter has access to a water area. Note: within this manual the<br />
term “separable enclosure area” will be implied when the terms “enclosure”, “indoor enclosure”, <strong>and</strong><br />
“outdoor enclosure” are used. This term although will be used at times when greater clarification is<br />
needed.<br />
A naturally enriched <strong>and</strong> complexly designed water area environment can be created with the<br />
following designs <strong>and</strong> furniture. A habitat such as this is needed to offer variety <strong>and</strong> more<br />
challenging stimulating places to swim both in deep <strong>and</strong> shallow water, wade, play, exercise,<br />
dive, investigate, manipulate objects, rest, eat, chase live fish, <strong>and</strong> play chase with other otters.<br />
It as well provides a safe <strong>and</strong> more easily useable environment for cubs, old otters, parents<br />
carrying cubs <strong>and</strong> all other otters.<br />
It is necessary to design outdoor <strong>and</strong> indoor enclosure pools with varying water level<br />
depths that offer adequate space for the aforementioned activities listed in the paragraph<br />
above. See the exceptions in Section 9 below. (E.g. some indoor enclosures that are attached to<br />
outdoor enclosures only require swim tanks rather than a full size pool.) Shallow water along<br />
the pool perimeter is used very frequently for wading/swimming, playing, eating, <strong>and</strong> exiting<br />
the pool. These areas are needed <strong>and</strong> they are esp. helpful when young cubs are learning<br />
swimming <strong>and</strong> old animals, cubs, <strong>and</strong> parents carrying cubs are exiting pools. Deep areas are<br />
used very frequently for swimming, diving, play, exploration etc. <strong>and</strong> they should be provided<br />
as well.<br />
The provision of shallow areas is “m<strong>and</strong>atory” (Wünnemann 1995). For example, areas approx.<br />
12 cm (5") deep <strong>and</strong> additional shallow areas that are 20 cm (8") deep, which gently slope to<br />
deeper water, should be provided. Areas that are approx. 35 cm - 40 cm (14" - 16") <strong>and</strong> 65 cm<br />
[26"] deep are also well used. Plentiful shallow areas should be provided. I.e. the entirety of<br />
at least one of the largest/longest sides of the pool or more sides of the pool should have shallow<br />
areas. Pools should gently slope to deeper water so a variety of depths are provided. This<br />
will also help provide safety when the pools are emptied. The deep area in pools should be a<br />
minimum of 100 cm (3.28 ft) in depth. For example, when the deepest part of the pool is only<br />
approx. 75 cm (30") deep, otters have been observed to swim awkwardly because the water was<br />
not deep enough to accommodate the full-extent of their most basic natural swimming<br />
movements. I.e. it did not allow simple normal swim patterns <strong>and</strong> this is not including dives or<br />
other deep water activities (Sykes-Gatz & Gatz, pers. obs.). The provision of pools with<br />
depths of at least 150 cm (4.92 ft) <strong>and</strong> deeper, e.g. up to 200 cm [6.56 ft], is however highly<br />
recommended so otters can carry out a wider range of swimming <strong>and</strong> diving behaviors.<br />
Plentiful deep areas should be offered.<br />
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