Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual - Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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Association of Zoos and Aquariums 52 Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual dihydrochloride administration in two North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) and a red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 33(3):242-248. Rothschild, D.M., T.L. Serfass, W.L. Seddon, L. Hegde, R.S. Fritz. 2008. Using fecal glucocorticoids to assess stress levels in captive river otters. Journal of Wildlife Management 72(1):138–142. Schettler, E. DVM, K. Müller DVM, G. Fritsch DVM, S. Kaiser DVM, L. Brunnberg, DR., K. Frölich PhD, DVM, G. Wibbelt DVM. 2007. Progressive ataxia in a captive North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) associated with brain stem spheroid formation. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 38(4):579-582. Swenson, J. DVM, J.W. Carpenter, DVM, K.S. Janardhan PhD, C. Ketz-Riley DVM, E. Brinkman DVM. Paresis in an Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) associated with vertebral and ischial osteolysis caused by a malignant lymphangiosarcoma. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 39(2):236-243. Tocidlowski, M.E. DVM, L.H. Spelman DVM, P.W. Sumner MS, M.K. Stoskopf DVM, PhD. 2000. Hematology and serum biochemistry parameters of North American river otters (Lontra canadensis). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 31(4):484-490. Weber, M.A. DVM, M.Garner DVM. 2002. Cyanide toxicosis in Asian small-clawed otters (Amblonyx cinereus) secondary to ingestion of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica). 2002. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 33(2):145-146. Weisel, J.W., C. Nagaswami, R.O. Peterson. 2005. River otter hair structure facilitates interlocking to impede penetration of water and allow trapping of air. Canadian Journal of Zoology 83(5):649- 655.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums 53 Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual Chapter 7. Reproduction 7.1 Reproductive Physiology and Behavior It is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the reproductive physiology and behaviors of the otters in our care. This knowledge facilitates all aspects of reproduction, artificial insemination, birthing, rearing, and even contraception efforts that AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums strive to achieve. A. cinereus: These otters are non-seasonal and thought possibly to be spontaneous ovulators (Bateman et al. 2009). The estrous cycle lasts 30-37 days, with breeding occurring year round. Some facilities report this cycle extending to every few months with older animals. Estrus lasts from 1-13 days. Behavioral signs of the onset of estrus may include increased rubbing and marking. Sexual behavior has been observed in pups as young as 6 months, with breeding behavior having been noted in animals (males and females) as young as 1½ years. Successful breeding has been reported for 2.1-year-old females and 2.8-year-old males. There do not appear to be any significant environmental cues that are involved with the onset of estrus. Breeding pairs have been introduced at various ages and have been together for varying lengths of time before successful breeding occurs. It has been reported that pups from previous litters have interfered with copulation, but their presence had no bearing in any other way (Lombardi et al. 1998). Recent work has shed light on litter intervals; Bateman et al. (2009) report: “In one female having three consecutive pregnancies during [their] study, the interval between the first parturition and subsequent progesterone increases owing to the next pregnancy was 169.25±11.15 days. This female was observed nursing her pups from the first pregnancy for the first 122 days of this intergestational time period.” Breeding pairs need to establish a bond for successful reproduction. The male pursues the female in courtship and most breeding occurs in shallow water. A single copulation can last from 5-25 minutes. Courtship behavior has been recorded from 1-3 days, at one-month intervals. Gestation is roughly 60-74 days (67-77 range, average 71.17±1.49 days reported by Bateman et al. 2009). Pseudopregnancies do occur in this species, including in females housed in single sex groups (5 of 6 females housed together exhibited pseudopregnancy) (Bateman et al. 2009). Bateman et al. (2009) report: “…a mean duration of pseudopregnancy of 72.45±1.37 days (range: 62–84 days). The average interval length between sequential pseudopregnancies and/or pregnancies was 39.86±3.86 days (range: 17–92 days) in paired females and 134.50±48.94 days (range: 62–279 days) in the single gender group.” The sire plays a very active role in rearing the pups and should not be removed prior to their birth. Male behaviors include nest building, carrying pups, and bringing food to the pups during weaning.
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Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual - Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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