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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Although once items such as cardboard boxes etc. are used, they can become a very well used<br />
<strong>and</strong> favored item. No problems have ever been reported to be caused when paper or cardboard<br />
products have been offered to giant otters.<br />
Woodwool, i.e. excelsior used for packing fragile items, can be placed in nestboxes to double as<br />
a bedding <strong>and</strong> play material. It is very frequently used by the otters as a play material. It dries<br />
quickly <strong>and</strong> can be re-used for as long as e.g. two to seven days. Unsoiled woodwool can dry<br />
after it is placed in the full sun for only a few hours. Woodwool should be kept away from<br />
feeding areas, so fish does not become entangled/coated with the woodwool, <strong>and</strong> it should not<br />
be used during cub-rearing. <strong>Otter</strong>s will not use the woodwool when it becomes very damp/wet.<br />
<strong>Giant</strong> otters also frequently manipulate with their paws <strong>and</strong> push around, smooth small round<br />
rocks, esp. river rocks, that fit easily into their paws, so SEVERAL of these can be offered<br />
on l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> in the water. Only several should be offered. Piles of/l<strong>and</strong> areas with rocks<br />
must not be placed anywhere within enclosures (see Sections 2-3 for why). Paper bags,<br />
paper egg cartons, overhanging long paper towels from a roll that are tied <strong>and</strong> hung from a<br />
fence etc. with/without toys attached, <strong>and</strong> telephone books (in their entirety or in sections) are<br />
also torn apart quickly <strong>and</strong> well played with. Light toys, branches or cardboard boxes can be<br />
tied to the paper towel ends for otters to play with/reach for. Tires that contain no steel wire<br />
<strong>and</strong> that are small in size or large enough for entrance <strong>and</strong> heavy-duty indestructible<br />
plastic tubs, containers <strong>and</strong> lids, all small for h<strong>and</strong>ling or large for entrance, are often played<br />
with in the pool <strong>and</strong> on l<strong>and</strong>. For example, heavy plastic trash containers <strong>and</strong> their lids are well<br />
liked, although the containers’ h<strong>and</strong>les must be removed for safety. Additionally, small heavyduty<br />
plastic gasoline tanks/carriers are also well used. These must have their h<strong>and</strong>les <strong>and</strong> caps<br />
removed <strong>and</strong> they must have never been used for gasoline or other dangerous/toxic substances.<br />
Large plastic (bread) trays <strong>and</strong> plastic milk crates with their lattice bottoms turned<br />
upwards (for resting on) <strong>and</strong> water running from an unreachable hose are also well used.<br />
Indestructible balls, buoys, small rafts (wooden/log), whole coconuts with the stringy fiber<br />
removed for safety, a lightweight floating wood disc (i.e. slice) cut from a log, brown paper<br />
(large sheets/crumbled), waterfalls, vine hoops, pine cones, <strong>and</strong> feathers can be offered. Ice<br />
blocks/cubes, keeper blown soap bubbles, hard-boiled eggs, whole carrots, apples, pumpkin,<br />
watermelon, greens, catnip, crickets, large mealworms, bamboo poles (with branches stripped<br />
off), <strong>and</strong> tape recordings of animal sounds have been used. Perfume, cologne, <strong>and</strong> scented oils<br />
have been placed on various toys, but the otters did not seem to be interested in them.<br />
Observations of wild giant otters in Peru<br />
On one occasion, it was observed how the otters used a tin can that was thrown<br />
away by tourists as a play toy.” (Translation from Staib 2002). [Of course, tin<br />
cans should not be provided in captivity as they are too dangerous.]<br />
Methods for Additional Behavioral Enrichment<br />
Enrichment methods, discussed below, are also important. Survey respondents reported the<br />
following. Some toys should be changed regularly <strong>and</strong> offered on a varied rotating basis<br />
(dependent on interest in the object). Other items that are especially well used everyday should<br />
be given on a daily basis. E.g. many otters do not get bored with cardboard boxes <strong>and</strong> tubes,<br />
woodwool, etc. when they are given daily. When otter parents are not rearing cubs or close to<br />
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