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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monitored <strong>and</strong> assessed as the cub develops. This is needed to help determine what type of<br />
swim area is the most optimal to gradually develop the cub’s full range of swimming skills in a<br />
safe <strong>and</strong> enriched environment. See cub development in Chapter 4 <strong>and</strong> See Section 15.<br />
A cub that does not have competent swimming skills should never be left unsupervised while in<br />
the water.<br />
When cubs are introduced to swim/bathing water, tubs, tanks <strong>and</strong> pools, caution should be<br />
taken, as pool water temperature seems to be more critical than the air temperature<br />
(Wünnemann 1995). (Unhealthy cubs should not be allowed in water, unless it is needed for<br />
emergency care.) Cubs should be closely monitored to determine how well they tolerate<br />
different water temperatures. For example, when healthy cubs are around 1½ months old, they<br />
should be bathed with warm water only. Cubs 3-4 months old can be given at least room<br />
temperature water <strong>and</strong> 5 month old cubs should not be exposed to water that is too cold (e.g. not<br />
below 16 o C [61 o F]). (See pool temperature for adults in Chapter 2.) Cubs should be<br />
thoroughly dried with soft absorbent clean towels after bathing, wading, or swimming lessons.<br />
Older cubs, able to swim or wade on their own, must be provided with clean dry materials <strong>and</strong><br />
soft loose natural substrates (covering nearly the entire l<strong>and</strong>/floor area) for drying <strong>and</strong> grooming<br />
on.<br />
Young healthy h<strong>and</strong>reared cubs, around 1½ months old (i.e. when their eyes are open), can be<br />
given baths in small tubs (e.g. plastic dishwashing tubs) with shallow clean warm water, but<br />
they must be under constant supervision/observation to prevent problems (i.e. inhaling water).<br />
The water should not extend above the cubs’ shoulder level. The cub’s head <strong>and</strong> nose should be<br />
kept out of the water. This introduction to water helps develop water skills <strong>and</strong> it provides<br />
stimulation. It also helps keep the otter clean <strong>and</strong> prevents skin <strong>and</strong> toe pads from drying out. If<br />
housing humidity is too low, skin <strong>and</strong> toe pads can become overly dry (e.g. skin looks flaky),<br />
cracked, <strong>and</strong> skin can become irritated. A cloth, dampened with clean warm water, can be used<br />
to bath <strong>and</strong> clean younger cubs <strong>and</strong> provide moisture (this can be used for older sick cubs too).<br />
The recommendations for h<strong>and</strong>reared river otter species from Burnette (1994) are as follows:<br />
“Young otters should not be introduced to water until they are at least 7 or 8 weeks old, <strong>and</strong> then<br />
only gradually to lukewarm water. <strong>Otter</strong>s must learn to swim, <strong>and</strong> too early an exposure to<br />
water could result in drowning or illness. Young otters should be dried off well after swimming<br />
sessions. Do not allow them to become chilled. Keep their water clean.”<br />
As cubs grow older <strong>and</strong> become more confident in the water, they should be gradually<br />
introduced to larger tubs/containers, with increasingly deeper luke-warm water, while caretakers<br />
teach them how to swim. They should never be left unattended while in the water. Healthy<br />
older cubs (e.g. cubs 3-4 months old), that are capable of swimming with confidence <strong>and</strong> skill,<br />
can be introduced to <strong>and</strong> offered larger safe tubs/containers of room temperature clean water.<br />
These tubs/containers must provide gently sloping shallow areas <strong>and</strong> easy exits for the cub to<br />
prevent drowning. <strong>Giant</strong> otters like to especially use shallow areas for play, wading, eating fish<br />
etc. Bathtubs could be used, although cubs may not be able to make easy exits, so wooden<br />
ramps (with non-slippery surfaces <strong>and</strong> slats for easier climbing) etc. should be offered. Other<br />
small safe tubs could also be offered when cubs are not under supervision. As cubs’ swimming<br />
skills develop, small shallower pools (e.g. for cubs around 4 1/2 months old) <strong>and</strong> eventually<br />
deep pool areas (e.g. for 5 months old cubs) can be introduced; although both must provide<br />
plentiful areas where cubs can easily exit the water. See Chapter 2 for more pool design<br />
information.<br />
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