International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

must be increased proportionately and water area percentages must be decreased
proportionately, as the enclosure size is decreased below 240 m 2 (2,583 ft²).
The recommended substrate types, qualities, and depths covering nearly the entire land
area, land to water ratios (i.e. enough land area), and deep digging area (sizes, depths etc.)
are among the most crucial husbandry provisions needed to maintain giant otter health.
These are also the most important husbandry methods needed to eliminate, avoid, or
significantly reduce the chance that the aforementioned problems develop or to improve
otter health if these problems have developed. These simple provisions alone, can very
significantly or completely improve and maintain the health of otters that have developed
health problems or abnormalities because of inappropriate enclosure conditions.
Appropriately furnished and designed enclosures as aforementioned are also necessary to
promote successful cub-rearing and help otters successfully adjust to new/unusual
situations. New/unusual situations include when otters are moved to new locations, housed in
quarantine or temporary holding areas, introduced to unfamiliar animals, anesthetized etc..
Visitors, viewing otters carrying out their terrestrial behaviors in a healthy normal manner, will
also be provided with an enjoyable and educational experience. The other recommended land
and water area locations and designs and locations for nestboxes, dens and areas for
natural underground dens should be provided as they also affect the quality and
appropriateness of the enclosure land (including sleeping areas). These include the
provision of plentiful land/floor area bordering and extending away from the water’s edge,
water area contour lines as recommended, no more land area exposed to water edges than
recommended, and nestboxes, dens, and areas for underground dens located a sufficient distance
away from the water’s edge. The other recommended natural furnishings, such as bamboo
stands ("man-made" or/and live growing), large logs, leaf piles etc. should be provided as
well. See Chapter 2 Sections 1-2 and 4-5 for necessary land area designs, locations, and
furnishings.
Refer to Part A-B below, for a discussion of the physical, mental, and behavioral health
problems and abnormalities that can develop without adequate provisions. A synopsis of these
problems can be found in Chapter 1 Section 3.
Part A. Physical Health Problems
Health problems involving the lower back, hind legs, and walking abilities:
Note: There are two different types of walking difficulties that involve the lower back and hind
legs that have been found in giant otters and both types are serious health problems. One type
involves acute severe walking difficulties that occur suddenly and only for a brief period of time
(i.e. problems occur over a period of hours, days or up to a week or so) and the other involves
walking difficulties that occur on an on-going basis (i.e. problems occur continually over the
years and they are progressive). Moderate and severe degrees of on-going walking difficulties
have occurred. The type that occurs only for a brief period of time is discussed in Chapter 1
Section 4A. The type that occurs on an ongoing basis is a very important issue and this is
discussed below.
It seems that continual long-term (e.g. 3 or more years) exposure to hard surfaces can cause
or/and predispose, at least some giant otters, to develop ongoing walking
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