Otters can also dig, so the enclosure will need to have deep walls underground. The name otter derives from the Old English word otor which, alongside other Indo-European cognates, ultimately stems from the root word *wdr, which, you guessed it, gives us the modern word water. Theyre destructive and will hurt you or your kids and they will get depressed ! There should be hollowed-out logs, aptly placed shrubs and trees, and various cage furniture that will make the space more interesting. I though a pair of otters would love to have me as their human (based on youtube videos). Live animals and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world's most damaging pests and diseases into Australia. This could devastate our unique environment. One thing that I think it's important to note is that ASC otters vocalize constantly in captivity for attention. Otters can be dangerous around children, full grown adults as well as pets. But can you keep one as a pet? Tremble with Tarka as the sounds of the otter hounds come down the valley. You can have 2 of each of the following animals: American Bullfrog. Otters are delightfully cute. They also need have enough elements such as trees and branches to scavenge. Their fast metabolism and evolutionarily hard-wired habit of smearing their spraint in order to mark their territory mean that they poop a lot like, every litter box will need cleaning twice a day. Otters can be legally obtained for private ownership. - Repeat the above steps to add more items as needed. You may not think it, just to look at them, although even when stock-still they are adorable. Space alone is not enough to mimic the otter's natural ecosystem. Funny Otter Sweatshirt, Teacher Gift Sweatshirt, Cute Otter Sweatshirt, Punctuation Saves Otters, Punctuation Saves Sweatshirt, Teacher Gift . You just made that up and got angry for no reason. Yes, some otter species are endangered. Money Box, Personalised Otter Money Box, Coin Bank, Otter Money Box, Otter Gifts, Piggy Bank, Savings Jar, Otter Presents. If they are constantly wet, they can develop health conditions.. Even cats and dogs require a team of people to help you. Your bathtub or pool cant substitute for the large bodies of water otters are naturally found in. They prefer flat stones that are as wide as a large orange. The heaviest weigh in at up to 100lbs again, you wouldnt want to get on the wrong side of an animal of that bulk. And pets are different again to 'keeping otters'. Their temperaments are unpredictable they are wild animals at heart and can be dangerous, especially if not under supervision near children. NO. "Oh honey~~~ you shouldn't have! The only way to know for sure would be to contact your state's Department of Agriculture/Fish and Game, and even they sometimes don't know. There are several ways to support otter conservation efforts, including: In conclusion, otters are unique and fascinating animals that are best appreciated from a distance. They are carnivores with a high metabolic rate, requiring them to consume 20% of their body weight per day. This permit requires that you have a secure and adequate enclosure for your otter, and that you provide proper care and nutrition for your pet. Being A Pet Is Not Good For an Otter If you love animals, then please do not keep otters as pets! Other otters have fully webbed feet and strong, well-developed claws. can also be offered to supplement the diet. Even if you are granted a permit, you will need to provide proper care for the otter and follow strict regulations. Theyll need a dry area as well as a pool. As a vet you shouldnt explain people what to do if they still wanna keep a wild pet! Vegetables, insects, crayfish, monkey nuts, soft-boiled eggs, etc. They are mustelids which means they belong to the same family as weasels, minks and badgers, but form a part of the subfamily Lutrinae. However, owning an otter as a pet is illegal in many states, so be sure to check local laws before purchasing. As wild animals, otters will not want to be kept in a small enclosure and their dexterous claws mean they will try to climb or dig their way out. Retrieved on 29 November, 2019. Even many experienced pet owners would not try to take on an otter. Can otters be released into the wild after being in captivity? It is illegal to own most otter species as pets. Otters need plenty of environmental enrichment. They are expensive to buy and house. Even ferrets are not necessarily easy pets but the first thing I would recommend as a mustelid for a pet. Wildlife rehabilitation centers These centers take in injured or orphaned wild animals and care for them until they can be released back into the wild. Otters can be destructive and are difficult to housetrain. The otter is one of the cutest creatures you can imagine. 25 million cats and dogs are euthanized in the US each year. They force them, they are not pets, they are not our possession, they belong to nature! Even you own a river its not enough! Do otters stink? If you were able to find one, the cost of their expertise would be prohibitively expensive to most households. I have to say that most though not all of the comments cause me extreme concern regarding our society today. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. After reading your expose, I realize that it would not be fair or practical. Over half of all 13 otter species are endangered or vulnerable and are not legally breed - they have to be capture, usually by killing the mother and confiscating the pups. Can i legaly own a short clawed otter here in Ontario Canada? Yes, I said scream. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a42687def9b0fea2fd9b99208cd94d0d" );document.getElementById("ae31964646").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Placing food out of reach so the animal needs to work out how to get it down. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. Yes, in some cases, you can adopt an otter. I tend to state that theres no such thing as a good or bad petit depends on what youre looking for in an animal. They need a much larger enclosure than a typical dog. The larger the group, the larger the smear. If you want to see otters, your best bet is to visit a zoo or aquarium. Cats and dogs were bred to be companions and we couldn't even handle that. Otters are highly social, very active, semi-aquatic, and need a lot of space - so having one single one as a pet would certainly be unethical - even if it were possible. This does not even take into consideration the amount of capital needed to install the appropriate enclosure and keep the otters well fed. I have grown up in the redwoods of California. Keeping an otter as a solitary pet can make them very sad. Not all countries have strict protection laws and many otter populations are already in decline. Otters are wild animals and require specialized care. But there is one species, the Asian small-clawed otter, which could be legal in some states. (2019). Australia boasts a huge variety of animals. Are otters good pets? [removed] Home / My Animal / Can You Have an Otter as a Pet? Here is a list of states in which owning an otter is legal, along with some important information to keep in mind if you are considering acquiring an otter as a pet. Aggression in otters is also something important to consider. While they're widely illegal in the U.S., you may be able to own and care for an otter in some states with the proper permitting. you, an, otter, as, a, pet, unit, australia, s, can, have, in. You see, otters are members of the weasel family. Even with the best intentions we cant give them enough , enough playtimes, enough nutrition.l enough everything. Additionally, there may be wildlife rehabilitation centers in your area that need volunteers to help care for injured or orphaned otters. Question: Are pet otters legal in Canada? You can discover many popular videos of them interacting with their caretakers in ways other than direct contact. Some species of otter exist discontinuously in patches unconnected by land because of over-poaching. Question: Are otters legal pets in California? Dv Kaufman's Adventures 44.5K subscribers OTTERS AS PETS?!? Hundreds of thousands of newborn kittens are euthanized at shelters because no one can take care of them. She said yes . Toys are expensive. 11 reasons why you should NOT have an otter as a pet. Owning native otters is illegal in many countries including the UK, Japan, and the U.S. Of course, this depends on whether or not you can find someone willing to sell you one in the first place. All states have bans on at least some exotic pets, even states that are notorious for having lax pet laws. We are living in a world full of ignorant, entitled, beings who have little/no respect for anyone or anything. If you try to teach an otter right vs. wrong, for example regarding littering outside the litter box, it will likely perform the negative action just in order to elicit a reaction from you. This may not seem very big, but their high metabolism and intelligence mean they can take up a lot of space when they need to, or want to. Dont get an otter just because its adorable , you probably will not be able to care for her . There is little similar evidence to suggest otters want to do the same. If a state doesnt prohibit the possession of "non-domesticated carnivores" or the family Mustelidae (of which Asian small-clawed otters are a member), and it doesnt have an awful list of "non-regulated" species of which all not named on it are considered illegal, then these otters might be legal! These have brought significant problems and it is very questionable if exotic animals will fare well in such environments. The only reason is if they cannot survive in the wild and need to be protected. Because they are cute is not a valid reason for keeping captive otters, even if it is an enjoyable bonus. They have been known to destroy furniture with their inquisitive claws and teeth. Its time to wake up and change, seriously. ), Are jumping spiders friendly or harmful to us? Feel free to share this guide with anyone who loves otters! How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at PetSmart? Otters may bite when threatened and are not good housemates., Wild otters are not fit to live in your home environment., They need plenty of space to roam and to be with their family. Before considering obtaining a permit to keep an otter, it is important to thoroughly research the requirements and responsibilities involved. Eric Farmer from Rockford Illinois on February 18, 2018: On one hand, this sounded somewhat cute but some of the things you listed as negatives really turn me off owning an Otter as a pet. Maybe they are for you, maybe not! However, even if you could buy an otter, the cost of owning one would be significant. No. It is also something which could see a rise in other countries if the wrong information is spread. Otters are considered to be wildlife, so you will need to follow the state guidelines for ownership. 70-80% can be meat-based, and can include chicks, chicken, venison, rabbit, etc. Objects, such as hollowed-out lots, well-placed shrubs and trees, and items of cage furniture. They like attention but do not like to play with humans, in the way humans like to interact with pets. Guests must be fit and healthy, have full motor skill and intellectual capabilities. It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, patience, and experience to house them, provide them with enrichment, and keep them safe and secure. The smell of an otters spraint has been likened variously to that of freshly mown hay to putrefied fish. She did nothing wrong shes a vet giving you advice on a animal that people love and right now have are popular. (Lifespan Guide). When otters are agitated or stressed they can bite and become aggressive. SafePetsForJoliet. Otters are carnivores and primarily eat fish, shellfish, and other aquatic creatures. Buy iPhone 11 Otter + Pop Symmetry Series Case at Amazon. Otters arent as cute as you might think. It is important to exercise caution and practice good hygiene when interacting with otters or their environment. Otters are very playful creatures. Under provincial and federal law, it is illegal to keep a wild animal, as designated under the BC Wildlife Act, as a pet. If you do not live in a warm climate, supplementary heat is necessary for land. Hannah Elizabeth is an English animal behavior author, having written for several online publications. Supporting conservation efforts and avoiding products that contribute to habitat destruction can help protect these animals. All 13 species of otters are wild animals, extremely sensitive to environmental changes, and are a marking, latrine species. Otters can give dogs Salmonella, just like humans. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. Nevada: In Nevada, owning an otter is legal as long as you have a permit from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. What zoos and aquariums have sea otters? Smitten. DeKay's Brown Snake. -They are relatively low-maintenance, compared to other animals. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on December 31, 2019: Katouchka, I have seen breeders. However, just like any other wild animal, otters can be dangerous and aggressive. If the otter is not able to be released, it may be possible to adopt it as a pet. These toys are excellent for species that hunt and forge. This requires a fence which is not climbable and has a horizontal ledge at the top. Your email address will not be published. Stoats as Pets: Guidelines and General Tips, The Ocelot as a Pet: Everything you Need to Know, Silver Foxes as Pets: Guidelines and General Tips, Ostriches as Pets: Guidelines and General Tips, Gov UK. Otters can be legally obtained for private ownership. . It is the most common type trapped and sold as pets. They can cause damage to your home and hurt other animals in your family. While they were not the first country to open a pet caf (this was Taiwan's honor), the idea gained significant popularity there. I can only make educated guesses as to where they might be legal due to researching what isn't legal. Giant otter: Native to South America, these otters are very large, quite noisy, and actually very social. Some introduced animals, have become serious pests in Queensland that attack pets and damage crops, the environment and the economy. While they are the smallest otter species in the world, Asian small-clawed otters can still grow to 24 inches (61cm). Have you ever seen an otter in the wild? There are 13 types of otter in total, but some are more common than others. If i found a fox or coyote i would raise it. They're wild animals. Nutritionally complete cat food can serve as a base subsistence food. This can be fed irregularly with a "scatter" method to ward off stereotypic behaviorsomething that occurs when certain animals are fed at specific times. Instead, consider visiting them at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary, where you can observe and appreciate these amazing animals in a safe and responsible manner. Marvel at the patience that the author must have had. EXOTIC ANIMALS ARE NOT PETS. They have an oil, waterproof coat and webbed feet, which makes them good swimmers. 12:16. Otter. This, we can presume, is because they were always found at the waters edge, be it at the seaside (sea otters), riverside (river otters), clambering over brooks (Asian small-clawed otter) or in The Guianas (giant otters). hairs per square inch. Quite possibly. Asian small clawed otters may be kept with a permit. You need resources to own any pet, much less an exotic one. This doesnt make them automatically legal in every state. Answer: Probably not. A otter is a species protected by both state and federal wildlife laws, and it is illegal to take them from the wild. In this AnimalWised video, we talk about the lifestyle of these mammals, what types of otter exist and why you should never have them in a. I completed my post-graduate studies at Nottingham Trent University in 2021, securing an MSc Biodiversity Conservation qualification. In addition to common domesticated pets such as cats, dogs, aviary birds and aquarium fish, some native animals can be kept as pets under a special licence from NPWS. 7080% of the diet can be meat-based and can consist of day-old chicks, chicken, venison, rabbit, etc. And for those shaming her in the comments. Poisonous bite symptoms and treatments, 8 AMAZING jumping spiders types you can get as pets, 31 Interesting Axolotl Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. Some might make an argument that an animal like the cat was not originally domesticated, but now fares well under human co-existence. This article is very upfront and honest, however when reading the comments I was overwhelmed with all the ignorance. Thanks. Maximum of two people per encounter. Pet owners must provide proper care, including a secure enclosure, appropriate food and water, and veterinary care. Using food dispensing devices available for dogs and cats that must be manipulated to dispense treats. Yeah I know but some people already own them and they couldnt put them in the wild because they wouldnt survive. States where Otters may be legal, New York. Crested Gecko Enclosures: Whats the Best Choice? Do otters cuddle? Because I love otters. Or someone actually get it and have no proper information on how to care for it? They have varying sizes across all species, weighing between 2.2 to 99.2 lb and having lengths between 2.0 to 5.9 feet. Otters are notoriously difficult to potty train, and even when they are, they may decide to go against their training. However, this is a complex process that requires specialized care and rehabilitation to ensure the otter can survive in its natural environment. Many zoos and aquariums have volunteer programs that allow you to work with otters and other animals. Otters need a tropical climate. Otters in this genus are characterized by only partial webbing between their toes, and small, blunt, peg-like claws. Thanks to hunting, habit destruction and many other human activities, almost all species of otter are either endangered or at least threatened. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on December 21, 2016: People in Japan are notorious for doing whatever they want and making it work. 1. The best enclosure for an otter is outside. When I worked for the park service, every year after easter people dump the bunnies,chicks and ducks they got for kids in the park because they grew up and couldn't handle them. Summary of Husbandry Guidelines for Asian Small-clawed Otters in Captivity. They are cunning and intelligent and predatory and like to know every nook and cranny of their dwelling place. In the wild, they mostly eat fish, while sea-dwelling otters use stones to break open mollusks. Most pet otters are actually owned by private zoos and animal educators. There are some 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 90% of fish and insects and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia. That is a great way to help, thank you for your comment! Otters can be destructive. Or in a zoo? They're very aggressive and bite, and they have very sharp teeth. Asian small-clawed otters - the only otter sometimes allowed as pets - need a mixture of land and water in their enclosure.