International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

fruits, or that have been sprayed with pesticides or other dangerous chemicals should not be used
to make leaf piles. They should not be infested with ticks or other insects or have harmful (i.e.
artificial) debris. Leaves can be collected and stored in large bins so that they are available all
year around. (Containers holding leaves should be covered if they are placed outdoors.)
Hills/banks with the designs as aforementioned and specific soil types can enable captive
giant otters to dig underground dens to sleep and keep their cubs in. This provision is therefore
highly recommended as underground dens are very important for aiding successful cubrearing.
Among the other necessary recommended qualities, soil used for these purposes also
needs the capability to support many and deep underground dens so that den cave-ins can be
avoided or at least reduced to a minimum. At this time, Non-ferric Red Latosol is the only soil
type known that can be recommended for these purposes. See Part B below for specific soil
types, the introduction above for necessary soil qualities, and Section 12 for more information on
hill/bank designs and underground dens. Sections 1 and 5 describe the land and water area
locations and designs (esp. land to water ratios) and locations for the hills/banks for natural
underground dens that are needed (in addition to appropriate substrates) to keep the underground
dens and other land areas dry. Section 10B describes the hill/bank locations needed to isolate
underground dens from human disturbances during cub-rearing.
Trees, large bushes, or large tree stumps with long extended roots may help prevent natural
underground den cave-ins and bank, hill, and soil erosion, so these are highly recommended.
The discussion about vegetation/turf helping to prevent soil erosion can be found above under
“Land and Floor Substrates Necessary For Each Enclosure”.
Part B. Substrate Types and Husbandry Techniques
Inappropriate substrate types, qualities, depths, or husbandry techniques can cause health
problems, substrates may fail to function effectively, or/and the otters will not be able to
properly use the substrate. Note: inappropriate land and water area designs and locations (esp.
land to water ratios that do not provide enough land) and unsuitable locations for nestboxes,
dens, and areas for underground dens can cause substrates to remain wet/very damp or worsen
these conditions (see Section 5).
Part B is divided into the following categories:
Mulch and Sand Types and Husbandry Techniques
Specific Soil Types and Husbandry Techniques
Cleaning Procedures for Substrates and Maintaining Nestbox Bedding
Mulch and Sand Types and Husbandry Techniques
Different mulch types (e.g. wood chips, bark pieces etc.) are used for horticultural purposes, e.g.
as ground cover in gardens etc.. The only type of mulch that should be used in giant otter
enclosures is that made from pieces of bark from trees. Other types are not appropriate/effective
for use or/and they could harm the animals. The recommended mulch substrate can be acquired
from stores/industries that provide products for horticulture. Mulch pieces, i.e. bark pieces,
approx. 10 cm (4”) in length x 4 cm (1.5”) wide do not break up or pack down as easily as
bark pieces with smaller dimensions. This mulch size therefore stays drier and last a longer
time than smaller sizes. Bark pieces with an average size significantly larger than that
aforementioned should not be used, as they are too large for otters to comfortably dig, groom,
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