International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
deep digging areas as recommended, otters will/can not carry out the aforementioned essential<br />
innate terrestrial behaviors to their full extent or at all. As a result, they can not carry out their<br />
behaviors in a normal <strong>and</strong> healthy way as compared to captive otters held in the recommended<br />
conditions. They also, as a result, can develop mental/behavioral health problems (in addition to<br />
the abnormalities) <strong>and</strong> their ability to successfully rear cubs <strong>and</strong> adjust to new/unusual situations<br />
can also be adversely affected or significantly impaired. The more inappropriate the provisions,<br />
the greater the resulting problems <strong>and</strong> abnormalities. Note: in addition to unsuitable l<strong>and</strong> to<br />
water ratios, other inappropriate l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong> locations can cause the l<strong>and</strong><br />
area to become inappropriate <strong>and</strong> worsen the aforementioned conditions <strong>and</strong> when this occurs,<br />
the l<strong>and</strong> also can not be effectively used. As well, zoo visitors will not benefit, in an educational<br />
or enjoyable way, when otters are not carrying out their behaviors in a normal healthy manner.<br />
Not enough l<strong>and</strong> area because of improper l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, small or limited deep digging <strong>and</strong><br />
grooming areas, inappropriate substrate types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths, <strong>and</strong> enclosure l<strong>and</strong> areas<br />
only partially covered with soft loose substrates are not uncommonly the only areas offered for<br />
terrestrial activities to take place. All of these areas are insufficient for any of the necessary<br />
behaviors to be carried out to their full extent. In such conditions, surfaces can/will not be dug<br />
into or groomed, played, or exercised on effectively, comfortably, or at all. Digging <strong>and</strong> full<br />
grooming behaviors can only be carried out in small or limited areas, rather than the entire l<strong>and</strong><br />
area, therefore this behavior is significantly restricted. Too often, giant otters are kept on hard<br />
or artificial surfaces (e.g. concrete, tile, rock etc.), pebbles, small/river rocks, or s<strong>and</strong> or soil<br />
mixed with pebbles, gravel, or small rocks throughout. Because the l<strong>and</strong> area that is offered is<br />
usually not soft <strong>and</strong>/or large enough it does not allow or encourage otters to use it as they should.<br />
<strong>Otter</strong>s can not play <strong>and</strong> exercise in an unrestricted <strong>and</strong> comfortable manner in such areas.<br />
Digging can not be carried out on hard surfaces <strong>and</strong> if otters dig in soil or s<strong>and</strong> mixed with<br />
pebbles or small rocks throughout or pebbles alone, their feet will be harmed, they can not carry<br />
out the behavior to its full extent, <strong>and</strong> a comfortable surface is not provided for these activities.<br />
Grooming can not be carried out to its full extent on the aforementioned surfaces <strong>and</strong> these<br />
surfaces do not provide comfortable areas to do such. As well, substrates that are not deep<br />
enough (i.e. below the recommended minimum depths) or loose enough (e.g. tightly<br />
packed/compacted soil) to allow sufficient <strong>and</strong> easy digging (both deep <strong>and</strong> shallow) or full<br />
grooming behaviors, are sometimes offered. L<strong>and</strong> with soft loose soil, but no, not enough, or<br />
only small areas of hills for deep digging, are also sometimes offered. When enclosure terrain is<br />
fairly flat <strong>and</strong> soft loose soil (with/without grass, turf, or vegetation) is provided, otters will not<br />
be able to dig deeply, so hills/banks, with the recommended designs <strong>and</strong> substrates, must be<br />
provided for this activity when only soil substrate is offered. <strong>Otter</strong>s will/can not groom on very<br />
damp or wet surfaces, whether they are soft <strong>and</strong> loose or not. See above for the inappropriate<br />
substrate types, depths, <strong>and</strong> qualities, l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area locations <strong>and</strong> designs, <strong>and</strong> locations for<br />
nestboxes, dens <strong>and</strong> areas for natural underground dens which cause l<strong>and</strong> areas (including<br />
sleeping areas) to remain very damp/wet. Small or limited grooming areas will also remain very<br />
damp/wet when they are the only areas offered for grooming.<br />
Digging <strong>and</strong> grooming behaviors will significantly <strong>and</strong> abnormally decrease in frequency <strong>and</strong><br />
duration. The location where these behaviors will be carried out within the enclosure will<br />
become very limited (e.g. to limited/small digging or grooming areas rather than the entire l<strong>and</strong><br />
area). The amount of time otters play <strong>and</strong> exercise on l<strong>and</strong> will also significantly decrease <strong>and</strong><br />
otters will likely only use limited l<strong>and</strong> areas, rather than the entire l<strong>and</strong> expanse. [E.g. hard,<br />
artificial, or coarse (e.g. pebbles, river rocks or s<strong>and</strong>/soil mixed with pebbles, gravel, or small<br />
rocks throughout etc.) surfaces are uncomfortable for otters to play <strong>and</strong> exercise on. Insufficient<br />
l<strong>and</strong> area (size), because of inappropriate l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, literally limits the physical space<br />
33