International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

“Living area” refers to the same areas that an “enclosure/exhibit” refers to.
“Natural underground den”: see the term “underground den”.
“Nestbox” refers to areas that are only large enough for the otters (including cubs) to sleep.
Nestboxes are man-made (i.e. constructed with wood, concrete, artificial rockwork etc.) and
they are either placed above or beneath the ground/floor. See the term “den” above for
comparison.
“Separable enclosure area”: this word will be implied when the terms “enclosure”, “indoor
enclosure”, or “outdoor enclosure” are used. This term although will be used at times when
greater clarification is needed.
“Sub-adult” refers to a giant otter that is between approx. one year to two years old.
“Successfully reared cub” is a cub that lives to one year or older.
“Successfully reared litter” is where at least one cub in the litter survives to one year old or
older.
“Underground den” and “natural underground den” refer to a den that has been dug by the
otters themselves (i.e. dug into natural substrates and underground) and the otters can use this
den to sleep/rest and keep cubs in. See the term “den” above for comparison.
Section 1
Part A. Overview of the Most Important Enclosure Design & Furnishing Requirements
Necessary for the Husbandry of Giant otters
Note: The definition of the following terms should be reviewed to properly interpret the content
below.
“Enclosure” and “exhibit” are used interchangeably. They refer to any/all areas, both indoors and
outdoors, in which a captive otter is held or has access to, regardless of whether or not public/visitors can
view these areas or the areas are intended for temporary or permanent use. They include such areas as
dens, off-exhibit holding and quarantine areas, separable enclosure areas, and areas on-exhibit (i.e. for
public viewing), etc.. The term “separable enclosure area” will be implied when the terms “enclosure”,
“indoor enclosure”, or “outdoor enclosure” are used. This word although will be used at times when
greater clarification is needed. “Land” refers to any base surface, whether man-made (e.g. concrete, tile,
artificial rockwork, wood, floor etc.) or natural ground (e.g. soil, mulch, sand, rock etc.), within the giant
otters’ indoor and outdoor enclosures. These areas do not include the portion of the enclosure that is
intended for water (i.e. a swimming/wading area). The term “floor” may be used in addition to the term
“land” for greater clarification. “Furnishings and furniture” refer to any natural items (e.g. soft loose
natural substrates, logs, boulders, trees, cut or growing bamboo etc.) that can be placed in an otter
enclosure. “Underground den” and “natural underground den” refer to a den that has been dug by
the otters themselves (i.e. dug into natural substrates and underground) and the otters can use this den to
sleep/rest and keep cubs in. “Den” refers to an individual man-made room, usually small in size [e.g. 4
m² - 9m 2 ] (43.05 ft² - 96.88 ft²) and constructed with concrete, wood, etc., where an otter has access to.
A nestbox can be placed or animals can be briefly held (i.e. for enclosure cleaning, etc.) in a den. Dens
are off-exhibit and they do not serve as a nestbox.
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