International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

equipped with heating sources. (Containers, other than incubators, must have the top side open
for adequate ventilation, although they can be partly covered with cloths to maintain proper
temperatures; see below.) In order to keep cubs warm and at adequate housing temperatures,
heating sources (i.e. heating pads, heat lamps, hot water bottles, radiators etc.) must be provided
for some otters. See Section 14 below for which cubs need additional heat sources. It is helpful
when young cubs (esp. with those with their eyes still closed) can be offered housing or at least
sleeping areas that can be kept dark or at least dim. The housing containers should be placed in
areas that can be kept private and quiet (i.e. free from human disturbances and human activities
not related to those necessary for cub care etc.).
The container/housing bottom should be lined with soft non-stringy and tightly woven absorbent
cloth materials (e.g. towels, baby blankets etc.) that cubs can not be caught inside of or on.
These materials must have no hanging strings or fringes, holes, loops, loose weaves, sleeves,
pockets etc. where cubs could get their toes, claws, head, neck or any other body part caught in
and they should have no buttons, snaps etc. that could be ingested. Such materials will help
keep the otter warm, dry, secure, clean, and comfortable feeling and will help to absorb urine.
Newspapers (i.e. with black and white print only and no colors) can be placed under the lining
of soft cloths for extra absorption and warmth. Part (e.g. half) of the container can be covered
with a cloth (that the cub cannot reach) to help heat stay within the container while also letting
excess heat escape. This material must be breathable to allow adequate air circulation and
ventilation in the housing.
The following can be offered to cubs: a rolled towel, safe stuffed cloth toy (remove buttons,
imitation eyes, etc.), a wool sock filled with cloth or crumpled newspapers and knotted shut at
the opening, and a safe wind-up ticking clock placed outside the housing or wrapped in a towel
and put inside the container. A partially filled (i.e. with warm/not too hot water) rubber hot
water bottle can also be placed under the material lining the container’s bottom (e.g. a towel) or
wrapped in a towel so the cub can lie next to it. Hot water bottle covers (i.e. cloth/plastic
covers) should be removed to prevent cub entrapment and overheating/suffocation during
entrapment. Items/strings attaching bottle caps to bottles should be removed as well. The
aforementioned items will help to somewhat replicate the presence of another otter and provide
some mental comfort. See Section 16 below for companion cubs and necessary human
interactions to provide additional comfort.
Soiled, damp, and wet cloth bedding and newspapers must be changed to help keep cubs clean,
dry, and healthy. Toileting cubs before and/or after feeding reduces the frequency that bedding
must be changed. Having a secondary secure warm area to contain the animal while cleaning its
housing is helpful.
“Exotic animals, especially carnivores, should be exposed in a nonthreatening way
to as many features of their adult environment and social situation as possible at
an early age. The critical periods offer unique, irretrievable behavioral windows.
For example, if an animal will spend time in the water as an adult, it should be
exposed to water at a young age. If otters are not exposed to water during the first
several months of life, they may be frightened of it as adults.” (Read & Meier
1996).
Even when somewhat larger housing containers/housing are offered to accommodate young
growing cubs (i.e. animals that are no longer infants), otters will additionally need safe
areas/rooms where they can move about, exercise, groom, dig, play, wade/swim (when old
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