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