International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Section 15
Toys & Methods for Additional Behavioral Enrichment
Toys for Additional Behavioral Enrichment
***Soft loose natural substrates, deep digging areas, land to water area ratios (i.e. enough
land area), and other natural furnishings (i.e. “man-made/live bamboo stands”, leaf piles,
logs) provided as recommended are the most important forms of environmental and
behavioral enrichment. These will provide a healthy stimulating and challenging
environment in which the development of stress, boredom, stereotypical behaviors,
frustration etc. can be avoided. Toys for behavioral enrichment and/or enrichment
methods should only be used as addition to and never as a substitute for, the
aforementioned provisions. The above-mentioned furnishings and enclosure designs are
discussed throughout Chapter 2 and the reasons for providing them are discussed in Section 3.
These provisions (e.g. digging areas, cut bamboo stalks, leaf piles etc.) are not discussed
within this section. See why enrichment is necessary in Chapter 2 Section 3B.
Giant otters regularly manipulate objects that are on land and in the water, as well as
those that overhang them but that are within their reach. These objects most especially
include items that are light in weight and that are easy for the otters to move
around/manipulate. Note: these animals will manipulate items when they are lying down,
standing, and standing on their hind legs. Toys for additional behavioral enrichment should
include items that vary in size and that can be manipulated, pulled on/down, tossed
around, torn apart, dug into, entered, moved/pushed around, and investigated. Giant
otters carry out such activities with great energy and when they do so, it occupies their attention
in a healthy way, therefore at least some toys should be provided for additional enrichment
on a daily basis. Note: often these otters will have favorite toys that they will use every day
and that they will rarely ever become bored with. These items therefore should be
provided everyday. For example, toys such as sturdy cardboard boxes that are used for
vegetables/fruits (see the box size below), cardboard tubes that are large enough for entrance,
and woodwool are reported to be used daily by giant otters. Other lesser used toys should be
offered occasionally to keep the otter interested in them. Note: soft loose natural substrates that
cover nearly the entire enclosure land and floor area, including deep digging areas, (see
Section 2) and “man-made/live bamboo stands” that have the recommended diameter stalk size
(see Section 4) are among the most frequently manipulated items (including artificial and
natural items) within a giant otter’s enclosure.
Toys, that do not look natural/do not fit into the enclosure scenery, e.g. those constructed
from man-made materials, can be offered in dens (or even nestboxes) or other off-exhibit
areas, i.e. areas visitors do not have access to, when necessary. Toys that can be destroyed
quickly in the water, e.g. paper/cardboard products, should also be offered far enough away
from swim areas or in dens (or nestboxes) to avoid that they are taken into the water. When
possible these practices should be carried out so that toys can be offered.
When otters are introduced to new toys, changes or new/unusual items within their
environment, they may take a few days or even weeks of exposure to the item/s or changes
before they show interest in it. Although once the items/changes are adjusted to, they can
become occasionally or frequently used and favored. The less change that an otter has
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