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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other than substrates, <strong>and</strong> toys from blocking pool drains or causing other problems.) See<br />
Section 16 for water source <strong>and</strong> treatment methods.<br />
In very small indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor enclosures (e.g. quarantine or temporary holding<br />
enclosures, etc.), separable enclosure areas or when temporary swim areas were needed,<br />
small tanks or large tubs of water have been provided for swim areas. These should be at<br />
least 3 m 2 (32.3 ft²) to 4 m 2 (43.1 ft²) in size <strong>and</strong> at least 35 cm – 40 cm (14" – 16") deep,<br />
although the water area size required ultimately depends on the total size of the enclosure<br />
area <strong>and</strong> the l<strong>and</strong> to water ratio necessary for it. (I.e. it is essential that enough l<strong>and</strong> is<br />
provided.) Some indoor enclosures that are attached to outdoor enclosures may not need water<br />
areas (see Section 9 below). A swim tank/tub that is not sunken into the floor or l<strong>and</strong> (i.e.<br />
the sides extend above the base surface level) should not be much deeper than 35 cm to 40 cm<br />
(14" – 16") when parents are rearing cubs. When the tank's top edge is higher from the<br />
ground cubs may hurt themselves if they fall over the pool edge <strong>and</strong> parents will not be able to<br />
easily exit or enter the tub esp. when they are carrying cubs. A ramp with a gentle incline,<br />
raised slats on the surface for a better grip, non-slippery surface, <strong>and</strong> an amply wide width<br />
should be used for safe <strong>and</strong> easy exits <strong>and</strong> entrances, esp. for the cubs. A log stump, large rock<br />
or other type of non-slippery stationary step should be placed in the tank/tub for the same<br />
purposes. These are very important for safety reasons as young cubs will not be able to<br />
exit/enter the tank/tub without these provisions. Tanks/tubs with deeper depths, e.g. 65 cm<br />
[26"] deep, should have gently sloping sides <strong>and</strong> be sunken in the ground for cub safety <strong>and</strong> for<br />
easy exits for all. Swim tanks/tubs have been made of heavy plastic, fiberglass, metal, <strong>and</strong><br />
concrete with/without tiles. They should have a drain for easy <strong>and</strong> quick cleaning. These small<br />
water areas (e.g. tanks, tubs, small pools) should be emptied <strong>and</strong> filled with soft s<strong>and</strong> or<br />
mulch (type as recommended only) or they should be removed when they are not needed<br />
<strong>and</strong> the vacant space covered over with appropriate substrates. This procedure is highly<br />
recommended in small enclosures as it will allow for more quality l<strong>and</strong> area <strong>and</strong> it will also<br />
help keep the l<strong>and</strong>/floors drier. Note: the smaller the amount of l<strong>and</strong> area available, the more<br />
difficult it is to keep the l<strong>and</strong> dry, although many other factors will also cause very damp/wet<br />
l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor areas (see Section 5).<br />
Water areas should be located <strong>and</strong> designed so that they can be accessed/serviced quietly,<br />
quickly, as well as easily <strong>and</strong> if possible while hidden from the otters’ view when parents<br />
are rearing cubs. This is necessary so that servicing can be done with minimal or no human<br />
disturbance (both visual <strong>and</strong> acoustic) to the otters during cub-rearing. E.g. swim tanks/pools<br />
can be designed so that they can be emptied <strong>and</strong> filled with fresh water or/<strong>and</strong> be provided with<br />
a small gentle constant flow of fresh water, without the keeper having to enter the enclosure.<br />
See Section 10B below for more information on enclosure designs <strong>and</strong> privacy needed during<br />
cub-rearing.<br />
The following conditions also apply to any enclosure area that has water within it. See<br />
below for why these provisions are necessary. The main l<strong>and</strong> areas should not be totally<br />
surrounded by water (i.e. like isl<strong>and</strong>s are) <strong>and</strong> this is important when enclosures are less than<br />
600 m 2 (6,458.4 ft²) in size. As the l<strong>and</strong> area is decreased in size, the amount of l<strong>and</strong> area that is<br />
exposed to the water’s edge should also be decreased in size proportionately. The following<br />
recommendations are based on enclosures where the l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios are provided as<br />
recommended. In an enclosure that is smaller or somewhat larger than 75 m 2 (807.3 ft²) in<br />
size, the l<strong>and</strong> area should only be bordered by/adjacent to the water’s edge on one of its<br />
sides. When enclosures are somewhat smaller or somewhat larger than 240m² (2,583.4 ft²)<br />
in size, no more than two sides of the l<strong>and</strong> area should be bordered by/adjacent to the<br />
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