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