International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Foaming at the Mouth: This species in captivity has been observed to have significant amounts
of foamy saliva coming from the mouth when they are exceedingly anxious, excited, nervous, or
stressed (Sykes-Gatz and Gatz, pers obs.).
Foot/Toe Pad, Webbing, and Skin Health Problems: Pink color toe/foot pads indicate that the
otters’ feet are irritated and damaged. This is a common problem among captive giant otters.
Other foot conditions, such as rawness, cracks, cuts, sores, dried out appearance, etc. in the pads
or webbing, also indicate that the feet are in poor health condition. This species has sensitive
delicate feet. Healthy pads, skin, and webbing on giant otters’ feet and toes are entirely brown,
not pink, in color and supple, smooth, and soft in condition. If any part of the foot appears
differently, then the otter has unhealthy damaged feet. Inappropriate enclosure
substrates/surfaces (i.e. hard surfaces, pebbles, gravel, small rocks either alone or mixed
throughout soil or sand, or river rocks etc.) are most likely causing the problem (aside from
obvious accidental injury). If this is not the cause, then not enough land area, because of
inappropriate land to water ratios, or other inappropriate land and water area designs and
locations which cause substrates to remain very damp/wet, can cause the problem. This can also
worsen foot condition when combined with the other inappropriate condition. Substrates that
are below the recommended minimum depth or quality (e.g. broken and packed down mulch
bark pieces) can also remain very damp/wet. Health problems, such as infections, could
develop if enclosure or foot conditions decline too far. See Chapter 2 Section 3 for information
on foot problems and Chapter 2 Sections 1-2 and 5 for substrates and land and water area
designs locations that are necessary to prevent foot problems. Note: these lesions are different
than and not related to those described under “Lesions” below.
Handreared Orphaned Wild Giant Otters: Unfortunately, wild giant otter cubs taken in as
pets or for handrearing often reach wildlife rehabilitation centers or zoos/institutions in poor
physical condition and in bad health (Lazzrini, pers. comm.; Taggart, pers. comm.; Gomez et al
1999). Often many of these cubs can not be saved. Other cubs never reach professional
rehabilitators and therefore some die in the care of inexperienced unqualified handrearers
(Laidler 1984; Duplaix 1980). A wildlife rehabilitation center in Brazil reported that some cubs
received at the center arrived with pneumonia, diarrhea, and severe dehydration because of
being handreared by inexperienced persons. These cubs died. (Lazzrini 1998, pers. comm.). An
approx. two month old handreared orphaned wild cub “…was in contact with domestic animals,
from which she had contracted several illnesses.” [Diseases were unspecified.] The cub also
had two deep non-healing injuries in the neck area that were not infected (Gomez et al 1999).
Infections: can occur because of many reasons. See the infections listed throughout this section
(Part A) and under “Foot/Toe Pad, Webbing, and Skin Health Problems; Handreared Orphaned
Wild Giant Otters; “Poor Coat Condition; Pneumonia; and Pyometra-OP”. Also see Chapter 1
Sections 2 -3 and Chapter 2 Section 3.
Lesions: Lesions are reported to occur on the tops, sides, and bottoms of feet/toes/webbing and
ankles and on the underside of the tails on cubs (as early as 7 days of age and esp. after one
month old). The same has occurred on adult giant otters. The affected otters were held at two
zoos (Dortmund Zoo, pers. comm. and Hagenbecks Tierpark, Flügger pers. comm.) and these
otters were/are all related. Dortmund staff described that the lesions appeared as small
(averaging approximately 5 mm [ 0.2”] in diameter, with some smaller in size) dry circular areas
that had a muted pink raw/irritated appearance when they were in their active stage. They then
turned to a yellowish/brown color and faded away/ healed (on the adults) within roughly one to
three weeks. The lesions were/are observed to re-occur on the adults (approx. three or four
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