International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

*Note: Duplaix’s guidelines for otters are species specific and based on extensive research and
long-term studies both in captivity and in the field (esp. on giant otters). These guidelines have
been frequently recognized and used internationally, since the 1970’s to the present, as the
desired minimum housing standards for various river otter species in captivity.
Section 2
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..
“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.
Introduction to Substrates &
How to Easily Make Inappropriate Land and Floor Surfaces Appropriate
The necessity of the following provisions can not be overemphasized as they are just as
important as providing a swimming area. There are particular substrate types, qualities, and
depths and husbandry techniques that are needed to ensure that the substrate provided is
functionally effective, that it can be appropriately used by the otters, and that it will maintain or
improve the otter’s physical and mental/behavioral health and normality. The recommended
furnishings are inexpensive, very effective, easy to care for, remain sanitary, and at each
institution at least one or more of these substrates are easy to acquire. They also can be easily
provided in both indoor and outdoor enclosures whether the giant otter enclosure is
already in use or not and regardless of any existing substrate/surface within the enclosure.
The reasons why these provisions are necessary are not explained within this section. See
Chapter 2 Section 3 for an explanation.
Nearly the entire area of enclosure land and floor substrates that otters are directly
exposed to must not be hard, tightly packed/compacted (i.e. they are not loose enough for
otters to easily dig into), artificial, continually wet or very damp, slow drying, or poor
draining and no area must be coarse (e.g. contain pebbles, gravel, small rocks, construction
sand), rough, or abrasive. When otters are not offered these conditions health problems and/or
abnormalities will result; see Chapter 2 Section 3. Other than within a small area/proportion
of their indoor and outdoor enclosures, otters must not have direct exposure to the
following land and floor substrates: concrete, cement, gunnite, tile, artificial or natural
rockwork, bricks, wood; soil (with/without vegetation) that is poor draining, slow drying,
or tightly packed/compacted; boulders, smooth rounded rocks/river rocks > approx. 20 cm
diameter, or any other hard, tightly packed/compacted (i.e. they are not loose enough for
79