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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Section 13<br />
Den Construction<br />
“Den” refers to an individual man-made room, usually small in size [e.g. 4 m² - 9m 2 ] (43.05 ft²<br />
- 96.88 ft²) <strong>and</strong> constructed with concrete, wood, etc., where an otter has access to. A nestbox<br />
can be placed or animals can be briefly held (i.e. for enclosure cleaning, etc.) in a den. Dens<br />
are off-exhibit <strong>and</strong> they do not serve as a nestbox. Note: the term “underground den” should<br />
not be confused with the term “den”. Within this manual an “underground den” is that which<br />
is dug by an otter.<br />
Sections 1, 2, <strong>and</strong> 5 describe the den locations <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong><br />
locations (esp. l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios) as well as l<strong>and</strong> substrates that are needed to keep the<br />
dens dry. Also discussed are the substrates that are necessary within the dens. Section<br />
10B describes the den locations <strong>and</strong> husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices needed to isolate dens from<br />
human disturbances during cub-rearing. The aforementioned provisions are among the<br />
most important requirements necessary for the husb<strong>and</strong>ry of giant otters <strong>and</strong> without<br />
them serious health problems <strong>and</strong> problems during cub-rearing can occur. (See Sections 3<br />
<strong>and</strong> 10 for the problems that can develop.) Section 10B also discusses locations <strong>and</strong> designs<br />
needed for keeper <strong>and</strong> animal shift doors to dens to offer privacy from human disturbances.<br />
Section 2C also discusses designs that can prevent l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor substrates from blocking<br />
keeper <strong>and</strong> animal shift door movement. Section 9 describes locations <strong>and</strong> designs for animal<br />
shift doors to dens necessary to keep dens at appropriate temperatures <strong>and</strong> the temperatures that<br />
are needed within dens.<br />
Enclosures should have at least 2 to 4 dens where otters can be briefly held or separated<br />
(i.e. for enclosure cleaning, etc.) or/<strong>and</strong> nestboxes can be placed (for otters to sleep <strong>and</strong> keep<br />
cubs in). It is important that enclosures have dens in all situations, i.e. even when otters<br />
require no indoor housing for cold temperatures <strong>and</strong> natural underground dens can be used for<br />
cub-rearing. This is because when it is necessary to temporarily contain or separate otters from<br />
each other or specific enclosure areas, it can be done easily <strong>and</strong> without harm or significant<br />
stress to otters <strong>and</strong> zoo staff. Hence, with dens, husb<strong>and</strong>ry <strong>and</strong> management procedures such as<br />
enclosure maintenance, repair, daily cleaning <strong>and</strong> servicing, medical care, <strong>and</strong><br />
unfamiliar/temporarily separated otter introductions can be accomplished more easily <strong>and</strong> safely<br />
than without dens. (Note: giant otters can be very dangerous <strong>and</strong> enclosures should be<br />
designed with this in mind. Also, giant otters will become stressed when they are separated<br />
from their group members, although separation by shifting is significantly less stressful <strong>and</strong><br />
much more safe than separation by netting, anesthetizing, etc..) When natural underground<br />
dens are not available, a nestbox (esp. those made of wood) placed in a den will offer the otters<br />
more isolation from human disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence during cub-rearing than if it is just placed<br />
somewhere within the enclosure area. Nestboxes therefore should be placed within dens to<br />
offer additional privacy. Providing multiple dens, each with nestboxes, offers parent’s rearing<br />
litters an opportunity to choose which area they feel most comfortable <strong>and</strong> safer in. It is<br />
important that parents feel that they can move their cubs to a safer feeling den/nestbox,<br />
especially after a disturbance has occurred. (Note: natural underground dens [i.e. dens that the<br />
otters dig themselves] provide a great amount of isolation in combination with an expansive<br />
enclosure or an enclosure that is totally isolated. These den types are highly recommended <strong>and</strong><br />
important to promote successful cub-rearing.) Indoor enclosures, whether they are attached<br />
to outdoor enclosures or not, must provide at least two or more off-exhibit dens in addition<br />
to the indoor l<strong>and</strong> area that is necessary for otters to carry out all living activities that are<br />
too cold to do outdoors. (See Chapter 2 Section 1 Part C for the recommended minimum size<br />
175