International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

substrate), and very importantly, easily dig into it. In addition, soil substrates should not erode
easily. It is crucial that within each indoor and outdoor giant otter enclosure 1 the recommended
soft loose natural substrate types, qualities, and depths cover nearly the entire land and floor
area and the land to water ratios (i.e. enough land area) and deep digging area (sizes, depths etc.)
be provided as recommended. The other recommended land and water area locations and
designs and locations for nestboxes, dens and areas for natural underground dens should be
provided. These include the provision of plentiful land/floor area bordering and extending away
from the water’s edge, water area contour lines as recommended, no more land area exposed to
water edges than recommended, and nestboxes, dens, and areas for underground dens located a
sufficient distance away from the water’s edge. The other recommended natural furnishings,
such as bamboo stands ("man-made" or/and live growing), large logs, leaf piles etc. should be
provided as well. See Chapter 2 Sections 1-2 and 4-5 for the necessary land area designs,
locations, and furnishings.
Following is a synopsis of the health problems and abnormalities that have occurred when the
aforementioned necessities have not been provided.
Health problems involving the lower back, hind legs, and walking abilities:
Note: There are two different types of walking difficulties that involve the lower back and hind
legs that have been found in giant otters and both types are serious health problems. One type
involves acute severe walking difficulties that occur suddenly and only for a brief period of time
(i.e. problems occur over a period of hours, days or up to a week or so) and the other involves
walking difficulties that occur on an on-going basis (i.e. problems occur continually over the
years and they are progressive). Moderate and severe degrees of on-going walking difficulties
have occurred. The type that occurs only for a brief period of time is discussed in Chapter 1
Section 4A. The type that occurs on an ongoing basis is a very important issue and this is
discussed below and in detail in Chapter 2 Section 3A.
It seems that continual long-term (e.g. 3 or more years) exposure to hard surfaces can cause
or/and predispose, at least some giant otters, to develop ongoing walking
difficulties/abnormalities involving their hind legs and lower back. A lack of sufficient land
area (because of inappropriate land to water area ratios) or/and digging area may also have
worsened or helped to cause/predispose animals to this problem. (Without sufficient and
comfortable land and digging areas otters will/can not use their bodies to their full normal
physical extent/capability and they can/will not carry out the full range or extent of innate
terrestrial activities that are possible in captivity (i.e. exercising, playing, digging, and grooming
throughout the entire expanse of their land area). Hard surfaces are uncomfortable and
insufficient land area literally limits the physical space that otters have available to freely use
the land.) Giant otters have become affected to a moderate and severe degree. Problems
included shuffling their hind legs/feet rather than lifting them, walking very stiffly and/or
abnormally, limping, showing moderate difficulty when walking, or/and having great difficulty
when walking. The physical disorders which have been expressed by the walking difficulties
have also affected the ability to mate successfully. Covering nearly the entire enclosure land
area with soft loose natural substrates (as recommended) seems to be the most important
husbandry provision needed to maintain healthy walking abilities. This also seems to be the
most important husbandry method needed to avoid or at least significantly reduce the chance
that these health problems will occur or to improve otter health if these problems have
developed. This type of husbandry practice alone can help otters that have developed these
28