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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mixing them in with appropriate furnishings after they are added. In the rare case that these<br />
furnishings cannot be removed, then they must be completely covered over with mulch<br />
<strong>and</strong>/or soft s<strong>and</strong> that is at least 60 cm (24”) in depth. Deeper depths, i.e. at least 100 cm<br />
(3.28 ft), are highly advisable although. A depth of at least 100 cm is needed when l<strong>and</strong> or<br />
floor areas with the aforementioned unsuitable substrates are intended to serve as the<br />
deep digging areas. When the outdoor enclosure has natural l<strong>and</strong> under those non-removable<br />
substrates, appropriate soft loose soil can also be used as recommended to cover over the<br />
unsuitable surfaces. Very deep soil depths are necessary in all outdoor enclosure locations.<br />
When a soil does not have pebbles, gravel, small rocks, construction s<strong>and</strong>, or abrasive<br />
s<strong>and</strong> mixed throughout it <strong>and</strong> it does not possess or cannot retain all of the<br />
aforementioned necessary qualities (see above) <strong>and</strong> this soil already exists within an<br />
enclosure, it is essential that the following be carried out to provide appropriate surfaces. This<br />
is regardless of whether or not the soil is covered with vegetation/turf or it contains hills. It is<br />
necessary that nearly the entire enclosure l<strong>and</strong> area be covered over with soft s<strong>and</strong>, mulch<br />
or/<strong>and</strong> soil as recommended in Parts A-B below. (If the enclosure is expansive in size, i.e.<br />
600 m 2 [6,458 ft²] or over, a significant portion should be covered over as just described.) Any<br />
remaining l<strong>and</strong> area can be left with the original soil.<br />
Coarse, abrasive, sharp, or rough solid fixed surfaces that can not be removed should be<br />
smoothed down if possible before appropriate substrates are added or before otters are<br />
introduced to the enclosure. This includes the l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor area, all pool surfaces, <strong>and</strong> all<br />
enclosure walls/containment barriers that are within the otter’s reach (i.e. when they are<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ing on their hind legs, logs, nestboxes etc.). For example, walls made of rough artificial<br />
rockwork within the otters’ reach may cause health problems, as otters can rub / lie against or<br />
dig on the wall. (Sometimes giant otters will make strong digging motions on walls with their<br />
front feet <strong>and</strong> they often st<strong>and</strong> on their hind feet during this activity.) See under Section 18 for<br />
when containment barriers <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>/floor areas adjacent to them can be excessively dug on/into.<br />
Part A. Contains the following two categories:<br />
L<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Floor Substrates Necessary For Each Enclosure<br />
Deep Digging Area Necessary For Each Enclosure<br />
The provision of the recommended enclosure l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> floor substrates <strong>and</strong> deep digging<br />
area for each enclosure are among the most crucial requirements necessary for the<br />
husb<strong>and</strong>ry of giant otters. (See Section 3 below for why these provisions are required.) The<br />
qualities that the recommended substrates <strong>and</strong> all substrates need are listed in the<br />
introduction above; they are only briefly discussed below. The substrates that otters must<br />
not be directly exposed to or must only be minimally exposed to are described in the<br />
introduction above. How to easily modify inappropriate substrates, in both indoor <strong>and</strong><br />
outdoor enclosures, so they provide appropriate surfaces are discussed both above <strong>and</strong><br />
below. It is important that the introduction above is reviewed before the following parts are<br />
read.<br />
L<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Floor Substrates Necessary For Each Enclosure<br />
(See deep digging area needed for each enclosure in the next category below.)<br />
Note: an “enclosure” refers to any area an otter is held or has access to; e.g. this includes offexhibit<br />
areas such as dens, temporary holding <strong>and</strong> quarantine areas etc.. “L<strong>and</strong>” refers to all<br />
indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor base surfaces, whether man-made or natural ground.<br />
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