International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Cleaning Procedures for Substrates and Maintaining Nestbox Bedding
The aforementioned recommended substrates are easy and inexpensive to maintain and they
remain sanitary with daily dry spot cleaning (i.e. removing) of feces, urine soaked substrates,
debris, left-over fish/fish pieces, and contaminated substrates. Enclosures will remain more
sanitary, drier, and cleaner for longer time periods with these furnishings, as opposed to without
them. This is esp. important when enclosure cleaning must be eliminated/minimized to offer
parents privacy from human disturbances during cub-rearing (see Section 10B). This type of
cleaning is also beneficial to perform during cub-rearing because it can be accomplished simply,
quietly, and quickly. Giant otters normally only defecate and urinate, which they usually do
simultaneously, in one small place in each separate enclosure and that place is used exclusively.
E.g. one small area in the indoor enclosure and one small area in the connecting outdoor
enclosure will be used. They do not eliminate in nestboxes or underground dens. Note: any
areas with hard surfaces (e.g. tile, artificial rockwork, concrete etc.) should be cleaned, i.e.
hosed and scrubbed etc., daily when they are soiled with feces-urine and fish remains. (This
cleaning type also has to be minimized/eliminated during cub-rearing). All hard areas need to
be dried thoroughly after cleaning. To help maintain dryness and the otters’ scent nestboxes,
enclosure furniture with hard surfaces, toys etc. should only be cleaned when they are soiled
with grease, feces, or fish etc.
Fish should be fed in amounts that otters can finish so that excess uneaten fish is not left in
enclosures during the day and overnight. Uneaten fish can attract rats and rats could transmit
leptospirosis to the otters. A couple giant otters have contracted leptospirosis and this is
suspected to have occurred because large amounts of uneaten fish were left daily in enclosures
overnight/during the day. When fish remains exist, they should be removed from all water and
land areas daily. Otters will eat fish in pools or take their fish into the water, as well as eat fish
on land. Caution must be taken, as illness may also occur if otters (esp. cubs) eat spoiled fish
remains or are exposed to harmful bacteria ridden swim water (other than exposure to
leptospirosis, neither of these events have been reported to occur). Also, if a significant amount
of left-over uneaten fish that has been sitting in the enclosure for a while, is regularly consumed,
vitamin deficiencies may occur. Note: it is not uncommon that otters will pick up small pieces
of left over fish within their pools and land area and eat them; this although has not been
reported to cause problems. It is nearly impossible, even with filtration systems, to remove all
small fish pieces from the water.
Mulch, soft sand, or any bedding substrate placed within a nestbox needs to be replaced with a
fresh supply when it becomes very damp or wet. With the following conditions mulch and
sand within nestboxes (and dens) will remain dry enough that they do not have to be
changed or added to often (e.g. for many months or longer) and natural underground dens
will remain dry. These conditions include providing the recommended enclosure land and
water area locations and designs (esp. land to water ratios) and land and floor substrate types,
qualities, and depths, as well as locating nestboxes, dens, and hills for natural underground dens
the recommended distance away from the water’s edge. (See above and Sections 1 & 5).
Without any or all of the aforementioned provisions nestboxes and any bedding substrates, as
well as dens and other land areas, can remain very damp/wet. As well, natural underground
dens may not stay dry enough. [Several health problems can occur in these conditions. E.g. cub
sickness and/or death can occur when cubs are reared in very damp/wet nestboxes (or land/floor
areas).] Mulch and soft sand should also be at least 10 cm to 20 cm (4" to 8") in depth within
nestboxes (dens etc.). Shallower depths can become/remain wet or very damp. Mulch and sand
should be added to, when nestbox (den etc.) substrate depths become insufficient or mulch
breaks into small pieces and packs down. (Nestboxes should be designed, i.e. with lips on
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