An otter needs to have the life he was intended to have and need to be around their own kind in order to thrive. Another relatively popular pet fad in Japan is the practice of keeping otters as pets. Can you pet otters? To raise an otter away from its natural family group is a tragedy, so if you are still planning on keeping an otter, know that you will have to keep several otters in order to maintain the sanity and mental wellbeing of each one! If the otter is not able to be released, it may be possible to adopt it as a pet. Giant otter: Native to South America, these otters are very large, quite noisy, and actually very social. Theyll need a dry area as well as a pool. Fencing needs to extend in-ground because they can also dig out. 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. Most pet otters are actually owned by private zoos and animal educators. 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. Not all countries have strict protection laws and many otter populations are already in decline. Otters should not live in a domestic household, and a demand for pet otters helps drives illegal animal trade and decimate wild populations. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists several otter species as either endangered or vulnerable due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. You may not think it, just to look at them, although even when stock-still they are adorable. It is illegal to keep this indigenous otter as a pet in the United States, and not advised to take it out of North America. No, it is not safe or ethical to swim with otters. It's scary to think of what it'll be like in just 5-10 more years. Yeah I know but some people already own them and they couldnt put them in the wild because they wouldnt survive. -They are relatively low-maintenance, compared to other animals. In some cases, it is possible to obtain a permit to own an otter. They are the masters of disaster. Many of these facilities have otters on display, and some even have interactive exhibits where you can watch them play and swim. They are apex predators that help keep populations of fish and other aquatic creatures in check. Enjoy an otter stuffed animal They can cause damage to your home and hurt other animals in your family. How otters are protected. Hundreds of thousands of newborn kittens are euthanized at shelters because no one can take care of them. Even if it is legal to have an otter as a pet, many exotic pet curators do not go through proper channels to capture and sell animals. Can You Have An Otter As A Pet In Australia. Many Asian countries have taken measures to protect them through bans and regulation.. Placing food out of reach so the animal needs to work out how to get it down. For this reason, petting and handling are ill-advised. Additionally, otters can carry diseases that are harmful to humans, which is another reason why they are not suitable as pets. Funny Otter Sweatshirt, Teacher Gift Sweatshirt, Cute Otter Sweatshirt, Punctuation Saves Otters, Punctuation Saves Sweatshirt, Teacher Gift . 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Otters need plenty of environmental enrichment. I am currently an ecological project officer at Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Question: Are otters illegal in western Australia? I want a Asian small clawed otter In Arizona ,mesa. We are living in a world full of ignorant, entitled, beings who have little/no respect for anyone or anything. Online classified ads Sites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace sometimes have individuals who breed or sell otters. Otters need space to roam. However, just like any other wild animal, otters can be dangerous and aggressive. Not only do these animals make terrible pets, but they're also nearly impossible to domesticate. All rights reserved. Several countries have legislation protecting otters from being kept as pets. Put a ring on it! If the water is not sufficiently well cleaned, it can lead to the quick death of the otter. Their temperaments are unpredictable they are wild animals at heart and can be dangerous, especially if not under supervision near children. After otter hunting was banned in the UK in 1978, their numbers dropped. Answer: You'd have to check with your local authorities, Asian clawed otters should be legal in NC and are the only type I know of that are obtainable. If an otter does attack, they have sharp teeth which can be very dangerous, especially to children. What is a good pet? But if you do decide to own an otter telling you how to properly care for your new family member. Otters are considered to be wildlife, so you will need to follow the state guidelines for ownership. Please be better than that and get a pet that we breed for generations. Pet owners must provide proper care, including a secure enclosure, appropriate food and water, and veterinary care. 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. They love water so it is best if you have a body of water nearby for them to frolic in. Retrieved on 29 November, 2019. Then there are, of course, ferrets. Abigailramirez434@yahoo.com on January 01, 2018: Can I buy a baby otter. These have brought significant problems and it is very questionable if exotic animals will fare well in such environments. They also mark their territory by smearing their feces around, which contributes to the odor.. Your email address will not be published. Question: Specifically what is required to own an otter in North Carolina and what type of otter(s) can you have? Otters like to climb and dig, so your enclosure will need a top and to be dug into the ground. Because I love otters. Answer: You purchase otters from a breeder or broker. You are wrong. No, you dont need to have a massive zoo enclosure with a natural lake (although it wouldnt hurt), but housing Asian small-clawed otters will still present a challenge for the average person or even an advanced exotic pet keeper. They need attention all the time. These animals are also preys in the wild and keeping these animals as pet increase their chances of survival greatly. You should be ashamed Mellissa! Otters are restless and do not like to be restrained or restricted. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Heres what you need to know to provide adequate nutrition to a captive otter: Otters emit an odor, and smear their spraint (a fancy word for otter dung) at latrine sites, using their hind feet and tails, in order to mark their territory. Asian otters require a tropical climate and room to explore and play. (Complete Budgie Diet Guide). Can i legaly own a short clawed otter here in Ontario Canada? Answer: No, animals grouped in Carnivora, except wolfdogs, are illegal. White ceramic money box Personalised. Laws change, and this list is not necessarily exhaustive. 7 Caracal Cat Facts. NO. Let us learn more about this incredible creature as we read this article. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest species of otter. Sadly, due to the difficulties that come with owning an otter, many are abandoned or discarded to rescue groups., National Geographic: Wild otters are the latest exotic pet trend., PetHelpful: A Guide to Legally Owning and Caring for a Pet Otter., Sea Otter Savvy: Dangerous Liaisons: Interactions Between Pets and Sea Otters., The Furry Companion: FAQs for Aspiring Pet Otter Owners., WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION: Why You Shouldnt Share That Cute Pet Otter Video.. That way, youll get advice direct from the source! Scent and Body Odour The otters emit an odour and that is the reason they are kept outdoors. All goods sold at cash converters are cleaned and tested to ensure you're completely satisfied with your purchase. Emergency Vet Prices: How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost? Also do you own any dogs or cats? The larger the group, the larger the smear. All you say and recommend is ethically against your Vet degree! Additionally, otters are considered indicator species, which means that their presence or absence can indicate the health of the surrounding ecosystem. Otters have very sharp teeth and can turn aggressive quickly, if annoyed. Because they are cute is not a valid reason for keeping captive otters, even if it is an enjoyable bonus. Swimming in circles , chanting, running around like crazy is them showing they suffer! Most states make their laws for certain animals unclear and otters could be regulated under some laws when it appears they are legal under another law. Living in captivity is simply not a good life for an otter. More on each of these later. You will need to provide a heated area for them when temperatures drop below 50F. It is illegal to own most otter species as pets. - Once you have that set, click "Add to Cart". 07:55. It is illegal to keep almost all otters as pets in North America, with one exception. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/otters-protection-surveys-and-licences#how-otters-are-protected, http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Library/TaskForces/OCT/OCT_ASO_Husbandry_Guidelines_Summary.pdf, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/07/17/national/otters-smuggled-sale-japan-demand-pets-grows/#.XeDfjZNKiUl, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12302/21936349, https://ptes.org/get-informed/facts-figures/otter/. You cannot keep one as a pet in the US. 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. 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. Veterinarians are well trained in looking after a variety of animals, but most will not have the specific training required to look after the health and well-being of an otter. These can grow up to 6 ft long, almost 2 meters, and have a nasty bite, so you probably wouldnt want to own one anyway! 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. Otters are generally well loved in Singapore. Yes, you can own an otter in Massachusetts as long as you have a permit from the state. Rage at the cruelty of man. The local authority's regulations will need to be assessed before it could even be considered. Otters are delightfully cute. Otters play an important role in their ecosystems. Are otters legal pets? Otters are wild animals and can be unpredictable, especially if they feel threatened or uncomfortable. : They are not illegal to breed. They are wild animals and do not like to be restrained., Owning an otter is a big commitment. 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. Yes, I said scream. For enrichment, otters will need walkways, natural shrubbery, nesting boxes and lots of options for safe digging and foraging. If you have adopted one, youll need to have the proper habitat for it. Dont take my word for it read this! Im in Canada, BC, and it didnt say anything about owning a pet otter, and I left a comment on the other page, but I was wondering if its legal in BC. Alabama law prohibits any wildlife protected by law being held in captivity (as in kept as pets.) If you want to have an otter as a pet, make sure that they have a pond or a lake filled with their food, or you can manage to bring them fresh one from the market. There are several websites and online sources where pet otters are sold. You can usually visit the otter you have adopted, and some programs offer other perks, like behind-the-scenes tours.
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