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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animal was captive-born at Hagenbeck Tierpark <strong>and</strong> was held at Dortmund Zoo. (Osmann,<br />
pers. comm. 1993)<br />
At Hagenbeck Tierpark, it is reported that by 6 ½ months of age the captive-born giant otter has<br />
grown to 2/3 of the adult size (Hagenbeck & Wünnemann 1992).<br />
Sexual Maturity in Captivity:<br />
Field biologists <strong>and</strong> institutions that hold giant otters in captivity are in need of accurate<br />
information regarding the earliest age of sexual maturity (i.e. mating) for both females <strong>and</strong><br />
males, in both the wild <strong>and</strong> in captivity. The earliest age of sexual maturity is not known, only<br />
estimated, in the wild, <strong>and</strong> in captivity the earliest age of sexual maturity is also not clear. As<br />
well, field researchers are interested to know the earliest age of siring/bearing litters both in<br />
captivity <strong>and</strong> in the wild. More detailed records needed to be maintained, shared <strong>and</strong> studied at<br />
zoos world-wide to find clear answers to these questions.<br />
Wünnemann (1995 b ; Hagenbeck & Wünnemann 1992) stated that giant otters (both sexes) at<br />
Hagenbeck Tierpark reached sexual maturity <strong>and</strong> mated successfully at about 2 years old. This<br />
is accurate for their male, as he first mated (<strong>and</strong> sired a litter from this mating) at about 2 ½<br />
years old. Although the breeding female (Ottilie) that they used to make this determination, was<br />
not 2 years old, but rather 4 years old when she gave birth to her first litter. (This was<br />
discovered from Brasilia Zoo records by Louzada da Silva [pers. comm.]. This fact was<br />
unfortunately not discovered until long after Hagenbeck published their articles/studies).<br />
Although, because the age of the other females who bred at this facility were only estimated,<br />
accurate age of sexual maturity for them is not clearly known. Unfortunately, in this case<br />
Wünnemann’s (1992) information, that giant otters “reach sexual maturity at an age of about 2<br />
years” at his institution, can not be considered accurate for the females.<br />
At Dortmund Zoo, a female first mated at 2 years <strong>and</strong> 10 months old, became pregnant from this<br />
mating <strong>and</strong> gave birth to her first litter at 3 years old. The sire was her brother, but the mother<br />
<strong>and</strong> the father were from different litters <strong>and</strong> they were not paired together until after the male<br />
had reached sexual maturity. This female’s mate was 4.5 to 5 years old when he first mated <strong>and</strong><br />
sired this litter (Gatz pers. comm.). This pair was housed together 2 years before their first<br />
mating. Unfortunately, it is not known if there were previous matings before this date. So, it is<br />
not known with 100% accuracy at this zoo when the female reached sexual maturity.<br />
In summary, it can be said that at 2 years <strong>and</strong> 10 months old females can come into estrus, mate,<br />
<strong>and</strong> bear litters at 3 years old. A male can mate at 2.5 years old <strong>and</strong> sire a litter at 2 years <strong>and</strong> 8<br />
months old. Although, because of the limited records, it is not known if this is the earliest age at<br />
which giant otters can become sexually mature. These records are the only accurate <strong>and</strong><br />
complete records that are known at this time.<br />
Section 2<br />
Reports of Cub Development <strong>and</strong> Parental Behavior in the Wild:<br />
Two emaciated <strong>and</strong> moribund cubs at approx. 6 weeks of age at the Paramaribo Zoo weighed<br />
<strong>and</strong> measured the following (Duplaix 1980). The male weighed 1400 g [49 oz] <strong>and</strong> measured a<br />
total length of 55 cm [21.7"]. The female weighed 1200g [42 oz] <strong>and</strong> measured a total length of<br />
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