Listen people, trying to stifle information will only lead to more of that thing your trying to stop dont be ignorant. Mrs Smith, inform yourself, go back to University to learn the BASIC ethics of your job. They need plenty of space and care., An otters enclosure needs to be large enough for them to get exercise and forage. As such, captive otters need ample space to move around, including a deep enough freshwater source in which to swim, bathe, and socialize. if you want to have a wire sort of cage and live in a winter climate would i have to make a little room with heating. Speaking from experience in both areas, the caregivers who work with them are not taking on an easy job - they're noisier than a Siamese cat on an airplane. Well I did come come across an instragram account of a pet otter in Japan, and I never saw a outdoor cage in the account. Hannah Elizabeth is an English animal behavior author, having written for several online publications. Otters have an odor that lingers around them. DeKay's Brown Snake. Additionally, otters are considered indicator species, which means that their presence or absence can indicate the health of the surrounding ecosystem. In captivity, diets can vary somewhat but need to provide a lot of basic nutrients. Also watch for signs of bacterial infection to the wound. Additionally, if you live near a river, lake, or other natural body of water, you may be able to spot otters in the wild. Otters are adorable animals, but keeping them as pets is not a good idea. 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. slowelevator . You can usually visit the otter you have adopted, and some programs offer other perks, like behind-the-scenes tours. AnimalWised takes a look at the different aspects of domestic otters. I think otters are fun to watch, have exciting personalities and overall give out positive vibes. Additionally, otters can carry diseases that are harmful to humans, which is another reason why they are not suitable as pets. In most countries, only dogs and miniature horses are recognized as therapy animals. Money Box, Personalised Otter Money Box, Coin Bank, Otter Money Box, Otter Gifts, Piggy Bank, Savings Jar, Otter Presents. You should be ashamed Mellissa! Otters require a large enclosure with access to water, a specialized diet, veterinary care, and enrichment to keep them mentally and physically healthy. This could devastate our unique environment. I know a lady who owns an otter , she displays her on insta with her other exotic pets that rescued and even doing so much for her baby she still sees signs of distress! Even cats and dogs require a team of people to help you. Animals and mostly exotic ones are not our toys or our means to make money. Thank you for this VERY enlightening article. Otters are considered to be wildlife, so you will need to follow the state guidelines for ownership. In conclusion, it is not advisable to keep otters as pets. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision! Theyll need a dry area as well as a pool. Its not like they are using them for fur or food. Finger Monkey Lifespans: How Long Do Pygmy Marmosets Live as Pets? Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. you, an, otter, as, a, pet, unit, australia, s, can, have, in. please can someone help. While sea and river otters are deemed federally illegal due to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Asian small-clawed otters are not covered by the same level of protection. Otters make loud whistling or screeching noises. This can be fed irregularly with a "scatter" method to ward off stereotypic behaviorsomething that occurs when certain animals are fed at specific times. I can only make educated guesses as to where they might be legal due to researching what isn't legal. -They are relatively low-maintenance, compared to other animals. However, like all mustelids that arent domesticated ferrets, they are also challenging to keep, and will require large enclosures and extensive enrichment. As a vet you shouldnt explain people what to do if they still wanna keep a wild pet! Are otters legal pets? And pets are different again to 'keeping otters'. Laws change, and this list is not necessarily exhaustive. Call state wildlife officials to confirm. Retrieved from, Smith, C. (2017). Question: Are otters legal to keep as pets in Georgia? Cole West from Birmingham, West Midlands on March 03, 2020: Anya Ali from Rabwah, Pakistan on February 01, 2020: This certainly put me off the idea of ever getting one. We are living in a world full of ignorant, entitled, beings who have little/no respect for anyone or anything. Both these habitats need to be well-tended. 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. Since otters are not legal to buy, its difficult to give a price range. 5 Step Pacman Frog Care: Are they good pets? Are otters dangerous? They're actually very aggressive animals. While otters can form bonds with humans, they still retain their natural instincts and behaviors. I cannot recommend any otter species as a personal "pet," although a few have maintained a strong bond with their handler their entire life. Reuters It is important to exercise caution and practice good hygiene when interacting with otters or their environment. 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. All goods sold at cash converters are cleaned and tested to ensure you're completely satisfied with your purchase. Arkansas: Arkansas is one of the few states in the U.S. that allows otter ownership as a pet. However, they also mark territory with scent glands at the base of their tail. They can cause damage. West Virginia: Otter ownership is legal in West Virginia with a permit from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Otters can also be loud and destructive. Heap, C. J., Wright, L., and Andrews, L. (2008). Veterinary Secrets 2022 Bestie PawsLower Manhattan, New York, NY 10038, USA, Pet otters: the truth behind the latest wildlife craze. They are the masters of disaster. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T12302A21936349. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. Also do you own any dogs or cats? Otters are social creatures. Summary of Husbandry Guidelines for Asian Small-clawed Otters in Captivity. Otters play an important role in their ecosystems. Because Dalmations are high energy dogs that were bred to run 25 miles a day under carriages, and the families couldn't handle them. Yes, you can own an otter in Massachusetts as long as you have a permit from the state. Unless you are an expert or biologist or zoologist, you should not own an exotic pet. The humble, or not so humble, otter is one of the most widespread mammals on Earth. You may be asked to demonstrate this. Some ideas include: Domesticated minks are actually semi-aquatic and far more readily available, if legal. However, owning an otter requires a permit, which can be obtained from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. You can keep these animals as personal pets, but you cannot sell, barter, or exchange them. In some cases, it may be possible to keep an otter with the proper permits and licenses. Because theyre so cute, theres been a high demand to own them as pets., Illegal poaching and sales have hurt the global otter population. Other members of this family include weasels, skunks, and ferrets. But in Japan, where more than a dozen animal cafes now feature otters, they have . However, I'd like to be able to contribute to the conservation of otters and their habitat, so I hope I can find a way to do that. Keeping an otter in a home is a surefire way to destroy anything valuable you own. In what states is it legal to own an otter? Aggression in otters is also something important to consider. These have brought significant problems and it is very questionable if exotic animals will fare well in such environments. People in Indonesia, Thailand, Japan,. However, owning an otter as a pet is illegal in many states, so be sure to check local laws before purchasing. Placing food out of reach so the animal needs to work out how to get it down. How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Petco? Also it's diet would not only be what is in the ponds clearly but only then would I even think about getting an otter. For example, in Nevada, lions and elephants are actually legal to own, but fennec foxes (which weigh 3 lbs) are not. When otters are agitated or stressed they can bite and become aggressive. Below is a basic care guide. How To Care for A Pet Otter? After otter hunting was banned in the UK in 1978, their numbers dropped. If you cannot provide an outdoor area, you must provide a large, heated (it must not fall below 50F), secure indoor area, with a pool kept at 75-85F. The ideal temperature for their pool is 7585F, but they also need a dry area because if they are wet all the time, they can develop health issues. Note: All information comes from online resources and personal knowledge. 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. Pet Guide: How to Care for a Pet Emperor Scorpion, Blue Parakeets: 5 Step Complete Care and Color Mutation Guide, How Long Do Budgie or Parakeet Live as Pets? Lontra canadensis. This is usually at the behest of a larger authority, often governmental. Not to mention that an otter in a home life most likely is not going to get the water time he needs. Its various extant subspecies, numbering a total of 13, can be found on almost every continent (its too cold in Antarctica, apparently), and come in a range of shapes and sizes, and levels of ferocity. If I become rich in my future I will definetly buy a otter, This is great for kids like me to learn about otters, I just bought a baby otter and it is really scared and it attack me how to tame and make him bite me. IM SO SAD READING THESE COMMENTS AND THIS ARTICLE IN GENERAL! As a result, these pets are often abandoned. Other otters have fully webbed feet and strong, well-developed claws. Conservationists may need to keep an otter in captivity for protection, post-rescue or for research purposes. Question: Are sea otters legal in Kentucky? Lets look after wildlife, please! Otters are carnivores and primarily eat fish, shellfish, and other aquatic creatures. In many states, do you think it's illegal to keep river otters, beavers and many exotic animals as pets? 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. This classification means that only native otters are legal which includes the river otter. Can you have a pet penguin in Canada? many native mammals have large home-ranges and need to kept in large outdoor enclosures. Smitten. Despite being the state small mammal of Texas, they are illegal as pets there because they are one of the few animals which can transmit Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy. Otters are excellent diggers and have sharp claws and teeth. 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. some native mammals, particularly wallabies and kangaroos, are prone to diseases caused by the stress of contact with humans, domestic pets (cats and dogs) and noise. Otters require specific conditions to live well: a large area to roam (the larger the better); a clean water source in which to swim, bathe and (ideally) catch live prey; and adequate daily nutrition. You can keep an otter as a pet with the proper permits that allow you to house game animals in captivity. (Lifespan Guide). Otters do climb, adding to the complexity of the habitat, so a top is required. They bite and they have glands to produce a vile smell , people get those removed , its cruel. Otter. They are hard to potty train, and their fast metabolism means they poop a lot, and often. The otter is not a domesticated animal species. Unfortunately, this fad has lead to the illegal smuggling of otters into Japan[6]. What states are otters legal in? There are many different laws and regulations regarding "exotic" animals as pets and they vary from state to state, so the answer depends on where you live. Owning a pet otter is considered illegal in several countries including the US, Japan, and the UK. The short answer is yes, but it comes with many caveats or catches. No matter how much you fantasize about them, you must accept the fact that they are not house pets. Scent and Body Odour The otters emit an odour and that is the reason they are kept outdoors. You are wrong. Some species of otter exist discontinuously in patches unconnected by land because of over-poaching. How much do scorpions costs? The bad news is that this leaves them vulnerable to poachers, who hunt them for their velvety fur. Dont get a pet to show off get a pet because you have heart ! They are apex predators that help keep populations of fish and other aquatic creatures in check. Freshwater otters live in family groups of up to 15 in the wild. Japan Times. Yes, otters can be trained using positive reinforcement techniques. But if you do decide to own an otter telling you how to properly care for your new family member. It is illegal to keep almost all otters as pets in North America, with one exception. There is a high chance of one of them getting bitten. Your bathtub or pool cant substitute for the large bodies of water otters are naturally found in. The water not only needs to be the right temperature (your local climate may not be able to maintain this correct temperature), but it needs to be free of disease-promoting bacteria. Dv Kaufman's Adventures 44.5K subscribers OTTERS AS PETS?!? They travel in groups and maintain family ties, for life. Hundreds of thousands of newborn kittens are euthanized at shelters because no one can take care of them. They arent easily housetrained and theyre very active, social animals. All rights reserved. Feel free to share this guide with anyone who loves otters! Your email address will not be published. I have grown up in the redwoods of California. Not all our wants are positive. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 26, 2020: Nixie Nox I guess this also means dalmatians shouldn't be pets then. Background on Otter Otters eat 15 to 25% of their body weight daily. Not only is a home environment not suitable for the welfare of otters, but this relationship can also have some undesirable consequences for their human owners, as they can be loud, destructive and can inflict nasty bites. While they may have a better chance of coexistence with humans if socialized at a young age, it is not easy to predict their actions. Otters are delightfully cute. Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of an otters life. Question: Are pet otters legal in Canada? She did nothing wrong shes a vet giving you advice on a animal that people love and right now have are popular. Fortunately, many governments and jurisdictions have created contingencies to try to protect these animals. Aggression when stressed. Valentina z not all exotic pets are ripped away from their habitat some are rescued. (2018). Dogs and otters do not get along. Can you touch an otter? Here is a list of places where you might be able to find a pet otter: Exotic pet stores These are specialty stores that deal with rare and exotic animals. They require about 2-2, 5 pounds of meat every day. In most countries, otters are considered wild animals, and it is illegal to buy or sell them. Otters can be destructive. Can Caracal Kitten be good pets? That is a great way to help, thank you for your comment! hairs per square inch. Rage at the cruelty of man. Eastern Racer. They can cause damage to your home and hurt other animals in your family. There are several strict guidelines concerning their care and upkeep, but, in theory, you can keep an Asian small-clawed otter as a pet in some states of the USA. Have a secondary pond/enclosure that I keep stocked with fish,frogs, and other native species that I would let my baby out in daily and go swimming with it. Or in a zoo? Marvel at the patience that the author must have had. 70-80% can be meat-based, and can include chicks, chicken, venison, rabbit, etc. 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. Not only do you need the right enclosure and dietary resources to take care of a pet otter, but you need to have access to specialists in your neighborhood. They will need to be kept in an enclosure that is at least 10' x 8' x 6'. You'll also need access to plenty of fish. This article is very upfront and honest, however when reading the comments I was overwhelmed with all the ignorance. Let us learn more about this incredible creature as we read this article. Living inside comes with many challenges, like cleaning up otter feces and keeping your furniture intact. Unfortunately, we would not be able to list every country where keeping otter as a pet is legal or illegal. Asian small-clawed otter: This is the only otter to have entered the pet trade. Pet otters are sought after in many Asian countries like Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia.. Yes, in some cases, you can volunteer with otters. 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. Cats and dogs were bred to be companions and we couldn't even handle that. Do pet otters smell? 2. An otters diet can vary in captivity. As stated in the introduction, otters are mustelids. In some cases, it is possible to obtain a permit to own an otter. Have you ever seen an otter in the wild? Swimming in circles , chanting, running around like crazy is them showing they suffer! Answer: You purchase otters from a breeder or broker. When you are walking, you have to focus on walking because there are so many factors that come into playbalance, proprioceptionand you can't take those for granted.". Weird Pets: Sugar Gliders Sugar gliders are quickly becoming America's new exotic pet darling. Those nails are perfectly manicured, oh yes they are! That way, youll get advice direct from the source! Fencing needs to extend in-ground because they can also dig out. These include many species of native birds (mostly parrots), some captive-bred reptiles and frogs from a licensed breeder or society. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Yet otters are still being illegally smuggled into these countries to be sold as pets., Loud noises. Question: Are Otters legal to own in Texas? How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at PetSmart? While otters are popularized by their appearance in movies and TV shows, many people are unaware that these animals can actually be kept as pets. Many zoos and aquariums have volunteer programs that allow you to work with otters and other animals.
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