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

Mixed-species exhibits .......................................................................................................... 25
Introductions and Reintroductions......................................................................................................... 25
CHAPTER 5: Nutrition ................................................................................................................................. 27
Nutritional Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 27
Table 1: Target dietary nutrient ranges for otters (dry matter basis). ................................. 27
Table 2: Target nutrient ranges for carnivorous species (dry matter basis) ........................ 28
Changing nutrient requirements – age ................................................................................. 29
Changing nutrient requirements – reproduction ................................................................. 29
Seasonal changes in nutritional needs ................................................................................. 29
Weight loss ............................................................................................................................ 29
Diets ........................................................................................................................................................ 30
Sample diets .......................................................................................................................... 30
Feeding schedule .................................................................................................................. 33
Food variability ..................................................................................................................... 33
Species-appropriate foraging and feeding ........................................................................... 33
CHAPTER 6: Veterinary Care ...................................................................................................................... 34
Quarantine .............................................................................................................................................. 34
Quarantine facilities .............................................................................................................. 34
Quarantine exams ................................................................................................................. 34
Identification Methods ........................................................................................................................... 34
Preventive Medicine ............................................................................................................................... 35
Medical examinations ........................................................................................................... 35
Animal records ...................................................................................................................... 36
Vaccination ............................................................................................................................ 36
Parasite control ..................................................................................................................... 37
Medical management of neonates ....................................................................................... 38
Capture, Restraint, and Immobilization ................................................................................................. 40
Management of Common Diseases, Disorders, Injuries ........................................................................ 41
Poor coat quality ................................................................................................................... 41
Common disease issues ........................................................................................................ 42
Useful veterinary references: ............................................................................................... 42
CHAPTER 7: Reproduction .......................................................................................................................... 44
Reproductive Physiology and Behavior .................................................................................................. 44
Separation of sexes/conspecifics .......................................................................................... 49
Separation of mother-offspring ............................................................................................ 50
Reproductive hormone tracking ........................................................................................... 51
Facilities for reproduction ..................................................................................................... 51
Assisted Rearing and Fostering ............................................................................................................... 52
Physical care protocol ........................................................................................................... 53
Feeding amount and frequency ............................................................................................ 53
Feeding techniques ............................................................................................................... 55
Hand-rearing formulas .......................................................................................................... 56
Weaning ................................................................................................................................ 58
Swimming, terrestrial activities, and behavioral stimulation ............................................... 58
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