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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<strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong> locations. See the introduction above. (Soil should only be used on<br />
natural outdoor l<strong>and</strong> areas as it will not drain properly or dry easily when it is used to cover over<br />
hard or artificial surfaces.) Even after continual use, soil (as all substrates), with/without<br />
vegetation, needs to retain all of the aforementioned necessary qualities. When it can not, it<br />
is essential that s<strong>and</strong>, mulch, or soil with the necessary qualities be used as recommended to<br />
cover over the inappropriate areas.<br />
Providing turf/vegetation on natural outdoor l<strong>and</strong> areas with soft loose soil will help maintain<br />
l<strong>and</strong> dryness <strong>and</strong> prevent soil erosion, although the otters must not be prevented from<br />
carrying out the aforementioned activities (clearing away vegetation/turf, digging etc.). These<br />
are very important strong natural behaviors that otters must be allowed to perform to the full<br />
extent throughout nearly their entire enclosure l<strong>and</strong> area. (See Section 3 below for why.) When<br />
the recommended soil type, quality, <strong>and</strong> depth <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> water area designs <strong>and</strong> locations are<br />
provided, problems should not occur with the l<strong>and</strong> area remaining dry enough or eroding when<br />
the animals fully use the l<strong>and</strong>. Trees, large bushes, or large tree stumps with long extended roots<br />
may help prevent soil erosion, so these are highly recommended. (See Sections 4 & 6 below for<br />
these <strong>and</strong> other l<strong>and</strong> area furnishings.)<br />
Note: giant otters in zoos seem to particularly favor soft s<strong>and</strong> when it has the qualities <strong>and</strong><br />
depths recommended <strong>and</strong> hillsides made of the specific soft loose soil types that possess the<br />
necessary qualities <strong>and</strong> that are used in some South American institutions, above all other<br />
natural substrates to groom <strong>and</strong> dig in/on (most especially) <strong>and</strong> carry out other terrestrial<br />
activities on. (See part B below for the specific soil type.) The type, quality <strong>and</strong> depth of mulch<br />
recommended although, is also well liked <strong>and</strong> well-used <strong>and</strong> it has excellent qualities to keep the<br />
otters <strong>and</strong> their indoor <strong>and</strong> outdoor enclosures dry <strong>and</strong> clean (as does s<strong>and</strong>). When necessary,<br />
mulch can be similarly used in the same way as s<strong>and</strong> for an effective <strong>and</strong> suitable alternative<br />
furnishing. Note: some vegetation types will grow freely in deep mulch <strong>and</strong> s<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Nestboxes 1 must remain dry <strong>and</strong> they should have bedding materials within them. Mulch<br />
<strong>and</strong> soft s<strong>and</strong> are highly recommended for use within nestboxes, esp. during cub-rearing<br />
when these areas need to be isolated from human disturbances. These substrates should be at<br />
least 10 cm to 20 cm (4" to 8") in depth within the nestboxes (dens etc.). The recommended<br />
mulch <strong>and</strong> s<strong>and</strong> types <strong>and</strong> qualities mentioned above are needed. A deep layer of straw, leaves,<br />
or wood wool can also be used. (Woodwool is also called excelsior <strong>and</strong> it is a material used for<br />
packing fragile items.) <strong>Otter</strong>s esp. like woodwool or leaves as a bedding <strong>and</strong> play material for<br />
their nestbox, but s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> mulch is also well liked. Caution: before parturition, nestbox<br />
bedding materials such as straw, hay, or leaves should be replaced with mulch or s<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Wood wool should be totally removed during cub-rearing for safety to the cubs.<br />
(Woodwool should also be kept away from feeding areas so that fish does not become<br />
entangled/coated with the woodwool <strong>and</strong> ingested.) It is natural for giant otters to dig, groom,<br />
<strong>and</strong> play in the soft loose substrates within their nestbox, although they may in the process dig<br />
some or a lot of these materials out of it. This does not mean they do not want these materials in<br />
their sleeping area with them. Instead, it is just a result of their naturally strong digging <strong>and</strong><br />
grooming behavior which they will perform throughout their entire enclosure area. (See Part B<br />
below for more information on substrates for nestboxes.) 1 “Nestbox” refers to areas that are<br />
only large enough for the otters (including cubs) to sleep. Nestboxes are man-made (i.e.<br />
constructed with wood, concrete, artificial rockwork etc.) <strong>and</strong> they are either placed above or<br />
beneath the ground/floor.<br />
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