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