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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to <strong>and</strong> never as a substitute for the recommended enclosure designs <strong>and</strong> furnishings which<br />
are the most important forms of behavioral <strong>and</strong> environmental enrichment.<br />
Section 14<br />
Nestbox Construction <strong>and</strong> Temporary Transport Crates<br />
“Nestbox” refers to areas that are only large enough for the otters (including cubs) to sleep.<br />
Nestboxes are man-made (i.e. constructed with wood, concrete, artificial rockwork etc.) <strong>and</strong><br />
they are either placed above or beneath the ground/floor.<br />
Sections 1, 2, <strong>and</strong> 5 describe the nestbox 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<br />
nestboxes dry. Section 10B describes the nestbox locations <strong>and</strong> husb<strong>and</strong>ry practices<br />
needed to isolate nestboxes from human disturbances during cub-rearing. The<br />
aforementioned provisions are among the most important requirements necessary for the<br />
husb<strong>and</strong>ry of giant otters <strong>and</strong> without them serious health problems <strong>and</strong> problems during<br />
cub-rearing can occur. (See Sections 3 <strong>and</strong> 10 for the problems that can develop.) Section 2<br />
also describes the bedding substrates that should be used within nestboxes. Section 9 describes<br />
the nestbox locations <strong>and</strong> den designs that are necessary to keep nestboxes at appropriate<br />
temperatures <strong>and</strong> the temperatures that are needed within nestboxes.<br />
<strong>Giant</strong> otters need at least two dry draft-free nestboxes within each enclosure (Foster-Turley<br />
1990; Duplaix-Hall 1972), although at least three or more nestboxes should be provided. It<br />
is emphasized that multiple nestboxes should be offered to give parent’s rearing litters an<br />
opportunity to choose which area they feel most comfortable <strong>and</strong> safer in (Hagenbeck &<br />
Wünnemann 1992, Wünnemann 1995, <strong>and</strong> Flügger 1997). It is important that parents feel that<br />
they can move their cubs to a safer feeling area, especially after a disturbance has occurred. See<br />
Sections 10 <strong>and</strong> 12 for the importance of natural underground dens (i.e. those that giant otters<br />
dig themselves). Natural underground dens provide a great amount of isolation in combination<br />
with an expansive enclosure or an enclosure that is totally isolated. These den types are highly<br />
recommended <strong>and</strong> important to promote successful cub-rearing.<br />
Nestboxes need enough space for parents <strong>and</strong> cubs to sleep, nurse, move, <strong>and</strong> turn around<br />
comfortably in, while offering a private safe feeling place. Nestboxes are usually made of<br />
plywood/wood. The nestbox should measure approximately 1m wide x 1m long x .75m<br />
high (3.28 ft wide x 3.28 ft long x 2.46 ft high) <strong>and</strong> be made of wood/plywood. A nestbox<br />
entrance hole should be placed at one end of the nestbox <strong>and</strong> it should be approx. 30 cm<br />
wide x 40 cm high (12" wide x 16" high). The entrance hole should be placed about 10 cm<br />
to 15 cm (4" to 6") above the nestbox floor to help prevent cubs from crawling out (i.e. to<br />
create a lip) <strong>and</strong> bedding materials from being dug/pushed out. <strong>Giant</strong> otter nestboxes range<br />
in size from approximately 1 - 1.2 m long x 1 m wide x .75 m+ high (3.3 - 4 ft long x 3.3 ft wide<br />
x 2.5 ft high). Multiple small holes that small enough to prevent cubs or their body parts from<br />
getting caught/stuck in the holes can be drilled into the nestbox floor to help aid water<br />
drainage/drying. Nestboxes should have at least one openable top or side to more easily<br />
change/add bedding substrates <strong>and</strong> access cubs during emergencies or medical care. Cubs<br />
will stay in the nestbox more easily with an opening in the top, rather than the side. An approx.<br />
60 cm long x 60 cm wide (24" long x 24" wide) non-transparent opening hatch (i.e. a wooden<br />
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