International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

weak, underdeveloped cubs, or cubs introduced to a new formula or that are new to nursing
from artificial apparatuses, may not eat as much as healthy cubs (e.g. 10%-12% of their body
weight per 24 hours). In these cases, smaller intake amounts are acceptable for a time or until
the animal’s health improves, but eventually and gradually recommended amounts should be
offered according to toleration. A cub should never be forced to eat; instead, the problem,
which is causing the cub’s lack of appetite, must be solved. Cubs will fluctuate somewhat in
the amounts they eat daily which is normal. Some cubs, when they are healthy, may naturally
eat somewhat less than 20% of their body weight daily. Other cubs may eat/need more than
20% and even up to 30% of their body weight per day, although intake should be carefully
monitored and restricted if necessary.
“Most animals learn to anticipate their feeding times and may wake up, become more active or
restless, and cry or call just prior to feeding time. Nursery staff should monitor this behavior so
it can be used to evaluate the development and health status of the youngster.” (Read & Meier
1996). If cubs seem overly or continually hungry (e.g. continually crying for food in
between or just after feeds) or are excessively anticipatory prior to feedings this can
indicate problems exist with cub health or the formula offered. For example, the formula
may be too weak or inappropriate to supply adequate energy or nutrition etc.. As well if cubs
show a lack of appetite or decreasing appetite they may have health problems or they may not
like the formula being offered.
Very young, newborn, and/or sick weak cubs (at older ages) must be fed at least every 2 to
3 hours around the clock. (Burnette 1994). It is preferable to feed these cubs at least
every 2 hours throughout the day and night (e.g. 6 a.m. to 12:01 a.m.) and at least every 2-
3 hours overnight. Young cubs that are sick may need feedings as often as every 1 to 1½
hours around the clock. Healthy young cubs that are at least 2 weeks or older should be
fed at least every 3 hours throughout the day and night and every 3-4 hours overnight.
Some institutions feed healthy otter neonates every hour during the day and every 2 hours
during the night (e.g. Smeeton 2001). As the otters increase the amount they eat, the feedings
are reduced, but they are still fed every 3 hours around the clock until they are at least 6 weeks
old. As the cub grows older, and depending on its physical condition/state of health, the
number of feedings can be gradually reduced and overnight feedings can be gradually
eliminated. For example, healthy 2 month old cubs should be fed at least 6 times throughout
the day and evening or fed every 3 hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the overnight feeds can be
gradually eliminated. Four month old cubs should be fed a minimum of 5 times throughout the
day and evening or every 4 hours throughout the day and evening. Some handrearers have fed 4
month old giant otter cubs 7 times per day and 5 month old cubs 6 times per day. It is optimal
to feed animals that are 6 months old at least 4 to 5 times per day and continue with at least 3 to
5 feedings per day in their sub-adult and adult life.
It is very important that all reductions in the feeding schedule be done gradually (spread
out over a period of time). If cubs become very hungry and frustrated in-between scheduled
feedings (before feeding schedules are adjusted to) they should be fed on demand and your
schedule should be adjusted to their needs (i.e. feed more frequently and in smaller amounts).
When cubs are switched from one milk replacer to another or from mother’s milk to a
milk replacer, the new milk replacer formula should be slowly introduced over a 2-day
period or spread throughout at least several or more feedings (see Section 7). The total
daily amount of food should be divided into the number of feeds suggested below. I.e. for these
purposes, the schedule below is somewhat different than the normal feeding schedule
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