Asian Small-Clawed Otter Husbandry Manual (1998)

Height of the barriers from the water ranged from 3 1/2 feet (glass) to 15 feet. Height of thebarriers from land ranged from 3 1/2 feet to 20 feet. The SSP recommends a 5 feet smooth nonclimbablesurface as a safe minimum.Water QualityPoolsIt is recommended that filtration be used in otter pools. Sand filters, pool pumps, charcoal filters,and pressure sand filters have all been used effectively.If filtration is not used, pools need to be changed often. Institutions participating in the surveythat did not use filtration changed their pools from daily to every two to three weeks. However,fresh drinking water must be offered at all times when filtration is not used.Pool TemperaturesPool temperatures reported in the survey ranged from 65º-85º F. It is recommended that warmwater (85ºF) be provided for swimming since these tropical animals will spend more time in thewater since if it is warm (Petrini, 1998).Size and ShapeThe depth and volume of pools in exhibits ranged from moats of 2-3 feet deep to pools 4 1/2 feetdeep and over 7500 gallons of water. It is recommended by the SSP that a pool have a shallowarea of 8-10 inches for teaching pups to swim. Pools can grade to any depth. Some pools weregraduated from 2 inches to 6 inches, while some had no grade or were flat. Otters have beenreported to spend more time in shallow water.Pools can be constructed of several materials but commonly concrete was used. Gunnite isanother substrate that has been used successfully.Live PlantsLive plants that have been used successfully in otter exhibits are: bamboo; grasses; ficuspandanus (screw pine); iris; elephant ear; cast iron; ginger; nandina; cheery laurel; sweet olive;oak trees; cat whisker; quilfoylei; panniculala; banana plants; wax myrtle; mimosa trees; vitex;osmanthus; alocasia; ficus benjamina; palm grass; agleonema; dogwood; and rice paper plants.Holding AreaA holding area connected to the exhibit is recommended. This area should comfortably housethe animals when they are not on exhibit. A well-designed holding area facilitates closeobservations of the animals, introductions, medical treatments, and provides a quiet place forbirthing and cub rearing. A total area of at least 100 square feet per family group (12 otters or 8.3feet per otter) is recommended (Wilson, Tropea and Calle). The smallest that was reported in thesurvey, was 4 feet X 6 feet while the largest was 12 feet X 14 feet.Asian Small-Clawed Otter Husbandry Manual/Captive Management55