Caring for Selected Otter Species (Asian small-clawed, Cape ...

previously friendly otters began to have problems as well. The situation eventually resulted in the need to
permanently separate the dominant and subordinate animals, at first rotating them in with different group
members, and then sending them out to different institutions (S.Duncan, personal communication).
A. capensis: Information on the success of single-sexed groups is unknown at this time, and further
research is required.
L. canadensis: All male groups do very well together, and have been repeatedly documented in the wild,
particularly in resource rich environments (Blundell et al. 2002a and b; G.Blundell, personal communication;
S.Shannon, personal communication, Gorman et al. 2006). Fifteen unrelated adult males were successfully housed
together for 10 months at the Alaska Sea Life Center (Ben-David et al. 2000, 2001a,b), and five males have been
successfully housed together at the Virginia Aquarium (C.Harshaw, personal communication). All male groupings
are suggested for non-breeding situations.
Sub-adult females (older than one year but less than two years of age, or prior to first estrus) and females
without pups (this occurs less often) have been known to associate with all male groups (Blundell et al. 2004). All
female groups generally do not do well, however have been reported in the wild by Forman et al. (2006). In
captivity, sisters, or females introduced at an early age may be compatible for years. However, if one animal has to
be separated, they may not re-establish this social equilibrium upon reintroduction (Reed-Smith 2001, see
Appendix I for introduction/reintroduction protocol). In one other field study, an all female clan was identified,
(S.Shannon, personal communication). All female groupings are not generally recommended.
L. maculicollis: Adult males introduced before the age of four months have been kept together
successfully, as long as they are not exposed to the scent or sight of estrus females (Schollhamer 1987).
Adult females can be housed together, but their introduction may be difficult. Some females show a
marked preference for certain females and a dislike of others. Females that have been previously housed together
can be reintroduced after giving birth, once their pups are eating solid food at about three months of age
(Schollhamer 1987). Aggression has been shown towards younger females but documented only in mixed-sex
situations (Benza et al. 2009). Further research is required to determine the most compatible social groupings for
this species.
Influence of Other Species and Conspecifics
Compatible otters typically do not require specific inter-individual distances. All animals should be
provided with denning choices, allowing them the opportunity to sleep together or separately. Breeding pairs of A.
capensis, L. canadensis, and L. maculicollis will require separation during the early stages of pup rearing, or an
exhibit environment that allows for physical and visual separation of the male and female.
While it is not recommended to house Asian small-clawed otter groups within visual or auditory range of
each other (Lombardi et al. 1998), different groups of spotted-necked otter (R.Willison, personal communication),
Eurasian otter (cited in Reed-Smith 2004b), and North American otters (Reed-Smith 2004b) have been successfully
housed within auditory and visual range of one another. Care always should be taken that these groups are not
experiencing undue stress; all animals should be monitored for any signs of stress or agitation. When animals are
separated from a group for any reason (all species) care must be taken when reintroducing them; at times all of
the steps of an initial introduction should be followed (see 4.3 Introductions and Reintroductions). Some of these
reintroductions, particularly with females, may not be successful so prolonged separation, particularly of Asian
small-clawed otters should be avoided except in cases of medical treatment, aggression, or parturition (this last
condition, separation at parturition is not applicable to Asian small-clawed).
A. cinereus: If a group of Asian small-clawed otters have to be split for some reason (e.g., aggression
between two individuals), experience has shown that the non-aggressing animals should be rotated between the
two groups to prevent aggression between additional animals. In these cases, the social bond between highly
compatible animals appeared to break down if the animals were left separated from any particular individuals for
more than about two weeks. These temporary groups were rotated between off-exhibit holding and the exhibit on
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