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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The following conditions (i.e. Numbers 1-10) are among the most important requirements<br />
necessary for the husb<strong>and</strong>ry of giant otters. They are required for every indoor <strong>and</strong><br />
outdoor enclosure <strong>and</strong> separable enclosure area. When enclosures, whether already in use<br />
or being designed for use, do not fulfill the following conditions, it is necessary to modify<br />
them so that they do. In most cases, even when the enclosure is already in use or being<br />
designed, such changes <strong>and</strong> additions are simple <strong>and</strong> inexpensive to make <strong>and</strong> maintain<br />
thereafter. E.g. the recommended mulch <strong>and</strong> soft s<strong>and</strong> types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths are ideal for<br />
both indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor use to cover over inappropriate surfaces such as hard, artificial, tightly<br />
packed/compacted (e.g. soil with/without vegetation), poor draining, <strong>and</strong> slow drying surfaces.<br />
The required substrates are inexpensive, very effective, easy to care for, remain sanitary, <strong>and</strong> at<br />
each institution at least one or more of these substrates are easy to acquire. They also can be<br />
easily provided whether the giant otter enclosure is already in use or not <strong>and</strong> regardless of any<br />
existing surfaces within the enclosure. When l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios provide smaller l<strong>and</strong><br />
proportions than recommended, artificial (e.g. concrete) or natural pools (when more than one<br />
exists) can be emptied or portions of pools can be divided with waterproof barriers/walls. These<br />
can then be filled in with appropriate substrates to create enough l<strong>and</strong>. [Unless otherwise noted,<br />
the guidelines for the recommended enclosure conditions below are presented within Chapter 2.]<br />
1. The provision of the recommended l<strong>and</strong> to water area ratios. The l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios must<br />
provide at least the minimum size (proportion) l<strong>and</strong> area required. Note: each indoor <strong>and</strong><br />
outdoor enclosure <strong>and</strong> separable enclosure area below 240 m² (2,583.4 ft²) in size, requires<br />
a different l<strong>and</strong> to water ratio based on its specific size. (The l<strong>and</strong> area percentage, in the<br />
ratio, must be proportionately increased <strong>and</strong> the water area percentage must be<br />
proportionately decreased, as the total enclosure or separable enclosure area size is<br />
decreased below 240 m 2 . See the formula necessary to determine the ratios.) Enclosures<br />
between 240 m² to 600 m² (6,458.4 ft²) require other l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios, as do those above<br />
600 m². See Section 1B. Some indoor enclosures that are attached to outdoor enclosures<br />
may not need water areas or full size water areas (see Number 9 below). See Section 9 for<br />
when indoor enclosure water areas (e.g. pools/swim tanks) are necessary <strong>and</strong> for the type of<br />
indoor water area needed, as well as for water <strong>and</strong> air temperature recommendations.<br />
2. The provision of the recommended soft loose natural substrate types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths<br />
that cover nearly the entire enclosure l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor area. See Section 2. Note: even when<br />
the enclosure surfaces that otters are directly exposed to are soft, loose, <strong>and</strong> natural as<br />
required, only the specific soil, s<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> mulch types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths recommended<br />
are appropriate. E.g. soil, s<strong>and</strong>, or mulch that contains pebbles (smooth, rounded, or<br />
otherwise), gravel, small rocks, construction s<strong>and</strong>, or abrasive s<strong>and</strong> mixed throughout is<br />
coarse <strong>and</strong> it is therefore inappropriate. After continual use, soil with/without vegetation<br />
must remain loose enough that otters can easily dig into it <strong>and</strong> effectively groom on it.<br />
(Grooming includes digging into <strong>and</strong> scratching on/up substrates <strong>and</strong> vegetation to loosen<br />
the soil, s<strong>and</strong>, or mulch particles to cover the body). The soil must also remain easily drying<br />
<strong>and</strong> well draining after regular exposure to water, large areas of vegetation/turf have been<br />
cleared away, <strong>and</strong> the otters have regularly dug <strong>and</strong> groomed throughout their entire<br />
enclosure l<strong>and</strong> area. Soil or any other substrate that cannot maintain all of these qualities are<br />
inappropriate for direct use. These substrates, therefore must not be offered for direct use<br />
<strong>and</strong> it is necessary that soil, s<strong>and</strong>, or mulch with the recommended qualities be used to<br />
replace or cover over them. When mulch or s<strong>and</strong> is below the recommended minimum<br />
depth or mulch bark pieces break down <strong>and</strong> new mulch is not added on top of the existing<br />
mulch, this can cause them to remain very damp/wet. Other inappropriate enclosure<br />
conditions can also cause surfaces to remain very damp/wet.<br />
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