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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does not offer the same advantages of a large enclosure, although the quality of an enclosure is<br />
more important than the quantity of an enclosure. Concerning quality, an enriched complex<br />
enclosure can be made easily <strong>and</strong> inexpensively with the recommended simple natural<br />
furnishings, even after an enclosure (i.e. even those with hard base surfaces such as concrete)<br />
has been in use. This will not only benefit the otters, but it will also provide zoo visitors with an<br />
educational <strong>and</strong> enjoyable experience. Of course although, any enclosure intended for giant<br />
otters should be designed <strong>and</strong> furnished properly before the otters are placed in it.<br />
<strong>Giant</strong> otters should be provided with an outdoor enclosure. See the recommendations<br />
throughout Chapter 2 for the necessary outdoor enclosure furnishings <strong>and</strong> designs. “In<br />
temperate zones the giant otter needs both indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor enclosures…. They are quite<br />
adaptable to colder outdoor temperatures as long as they can choose between the warm indoor<br />
<strong>and</strong> the outdoor enclosures.” (Wünnemann 1995).<br />
In temperate climates, it is necessary that an outdoor enclosure (with or without heated<br />
outdoor water) provides access to a heated indoor enclosure. Indoor enclosures that attach to<br />
outdoor enclosures must provide ample quality l<strong>and</strong> area for otters to carry-out the “full range<br />
<strong>and</strong> extent of terrestrial activities” that can not be performed outside because temperatures are<br />
too low. These activities include digging, grooming, playing, <strong>and</strong> exercising on l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> raising<br />
young. The meaning of the “full range <strong>and</strong> extent of terrestrial activities” is very specific <strong>and</strong> it<br />
is often misinterpreted because of general misconceptions about how giant otters should behave;<br />
see Section 3B for a description. In some cases water areas are needed in these indoor<br />
enclosures as well. (See Chapter 2 Section 9 for when <strong>and</strong> what type of indoor water areas are<br />
needed.) It is crucial that indoor enclosures that attach to outdoor enclosures have the<br />
recommended l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios (to provide enough l<strong>and</strong> if they have water areas), soft loose<br />
natural substrate types, qualities, <strong>and</strong> depths that cover nearly the entire l<strong>and</strong>/floor area<br />
(including dens), <strong>and</strong> deep digging area sizes. (See Section 2 below <strong>and</strong> Part A & B above).<br />
(Different enclosure sizes require different l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios.) In addition they must include<br />
dens 1 <strong>and</strong> nestboxes (see Sections 13-14 below) <strong>and</strong> the recommended l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area<br />
locations <strong>and</strong> designs <strong>and</strong> locations for the dens <strong>and</strong> nestboxes (see Section 5 below for what is<br />
needed to keep these areas dry). They should include the natural furnishings recommended in<br />
Section 4 below <strong>and</strong> the water area design (if water areas are needed) recommended in Sections<br />
7 & 9 below (some designs are required for safety). These enclosures also need the designs that<br />
can offer privacy from human disturbances during cub-rearing (see Section 10 below). See the<br />
recommended minimum enclosure size below. 1 “Den” refers to an individual man-made room,<br />
usually small in size [e.g. 4 m² - 9m 2 ] (43.05 ft² - 96.88 ft²) <strong>and</strong> constructed with concrete, wood, etc.,<br />
where an otter has access to. A nestbox can be placed or animals can be briefly held (i.e. for enclosure<br />
cleaning, etc.) in a den. Dens are off-exhibit <strong>and</strong> they do not serve as a nestbox.<br />
It is essential that all indoor enclosures, whether attached to outdoor enclosures or not,<br />
include the basic necessities just listed above <strong>and</strong> those throughout Chapter 2. These<br />
provisions <strong>and</strong> designs will allow otters to carry out their terrestrial <strong>and</strong> aquatic (if necessary)<br />
activities in appropriate enclosure conditions, allow the l<strong>and</strong> area, nestboxes, <strong>and</strong> dens to stay<br />
dry, <strong>and</strong> allow privacy from humans disturbances <strong>and</strong> presence during cub-rearing. When<br />
indoor <strong>and</strong>/or outdoor enclosure l<strong>and</strong> to water ratios offer smaller l<strong>and</strong> proportions than<br />
recommended or/<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>/floor surfaces are not nearly entirely covered with soft loose natural<br />
substrates (including appropriate depths, types, <strong>and</strong> qualities) or provided with sufficient size<br />
deep digging areas as recommended health problems <strong>and</strong>/or abnormalities will occur. Problems<br />
can also occur or worsen when the other l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong> locations <strong>and</strong> den <strong>and</strong><br />
nestbox locations are not provided as recommended. (See the problems that will occur in<br />
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