International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

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