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