International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

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