Heap, C. J., Wright, L., and Andrews, L. (2008). An otters diet can vary in captivity. Do you know they have a higher rate of dying of starvation in the wild or dehydration or cars or other animals or hundreds of other things can kill them.my home is a safer place for most animals. They require about 2-2, 5 pounds of meat every day. Poor animals in those cages, would you like to be in jail ? Its not like they are using them for fur or food. While they were not the first country to open a pet caf (this was Taiwan's honor), the idea gained significant popularity there. amanda panda There are many exotic pets that people fantasize about owningbaby penguins, panda bears, dragonsbut they are often shocked to hear that some people can and do legally keep exotic pets like fennec foxes, wild cats, and marmosets. Eastern Garter Snake. 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. 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. In fact with a fast google search youll find that its 100% illegal but it seems theres a twist depending where you live. White ceramic money box Personalised. Are otters legal pets? Other animals in the Mustelidae family include the ferret. In the U.S. there is only one otter species that can be kept in the home so to speak - the Asian Short-clawed Otter . 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. Additionally, swimming with otters can be harmful to the animals, as it can disrupt their natural behaviors and expose them to human diseases. Japan Times. And pets are different again to 'keeping otters'. Yeah I know but some people already own them and they couldnt put them in the wild because they wouldnt survive. Unique or exotic pets. They have sharp teeth, powerful prey drives, and they're little bundles of furious energy in motion whenever they are awake. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Protect Your Cat From These Household Hazards. Half the houses in my neighborhood can't even take care of their own dogs right. Zoological parks Some zoos have captive breeding programs for otters and may offer the opportunity to adopt one. They are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Can you have a pet otter in australia. Shes advising you not, To. SafePetsForJoliet. You need resources to own any pet, much less an exotic one. Dont get an otter just because its adorable , you probably will not be able to care for her . Im looking to train otters at the zoo to learn how to care for exotics. However, pet owners must meet strict requirements, including providing a secure and appropriate habitat, proper nutrition, and veterinary care. Otters do climb, adding to the complexity of the habitat, so a top is required. Summary of Husbandry Guidelines for Asian Small-clawed Otters in Captivity. Expenses such as those mentioned above are not the only detrimental factors in keeping an otter as a pet. They are easier to care for, cheaper to buy, require zero, or at least fewer, licenses and permits to keep as pets, and are significantly easier to find willing veterinarians for. Below is a basic care guide. Answer: No, animals grouped in Carnivora, except wolfdogs, are illegal. Otters can be destructive and are difficult to housetrain. -They are relatively low-maintenance, compared to other animals. This classification means that only native otters are legal which includes the river otter. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest species of otter. Pet otters are sought after in many Asian countries like Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia.. These animals are also preys in the wild and keeping these animals as pet increase their chances of survival greatly. This breed was thriving in the 12th Century and was used to hunt otters. Gonna go out on a limb and say that's where the otter encounters take place. However, some US states may allow you to own exotic pet species such as otters. -They have a lot of personality and can be very affectionate with their owners. While it's common to keep dogs and cats as pets, other unique and interesting animals including reptiles, insects, amphibians and terrestrial . Uncovering the Price: How Much Does a Canadian Marble Fox Cost? With a degree in Animal Behaviour and over a decade of practical animal husbandry experience, Hannah's articles cover everything from pet care to wildlife conservation. I was looking into purchasing a friend but after all this I think its not the best for either of us. About. Also They really have an annoying squeal. While they are the smallest otter species in the world, Asian small-clawed otters can still grow to 24 inches (61cm). This article is very upfront and honest, however when reading the comments I was overwhelmed with all the ignorance. I was headstrong about owning an otter and this article actually dissuaded me people are insane nowadays, would you rather there I have not come across this information then got an otter and regretted? And if they do, it could get messy. The space aka property with a huge pond that I would build a huge enclosure around. Unfortunately, we would not be able to list every country where keeping otter as a pet is legal or illegal. However, keeping otters in captivity is not the same as keeping an otter as a pet. All pets have at least some bans on exotic pets, even if they sometimes dont make complete sense. Its time to wake up and change, seriously. I am currently an ecological project officer at Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Most pet otters are actually owned by private zoos and animal educators. That cute, fluffy sea otter you have in your photo? Slightly less fun, but much more gruesome, fact: Male otters have been known to forcibly penetrate baby seals while holding their heads underwater until they drown. Emergency Vet Prices: How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost? An otter needs to have the life he was intended to have and need to be around their own kind in order to thrive. In the UK, otters are fully protected under Sections 9 and 11 of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981[2]. Otters require a large enclosure with access to water, a specialized diet, veterinary care, and enrichment to keep them mentally and physically healthy. Otters are so adorable, I can understand why we would want to have them as a pet, but it's not right. 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? Live animals and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world's most damaging pests and diseases into Australia. She said yes . So why don't you see more otters playing in the park on a Sunday afternoon? Unless you are an expert or biologist or zoologist, you should not own an exotic pet. They werent always domesticated they were rescued or ripped away from thier habitat as well for generations. Instead of citing specific sizes, I would recommend simply imagining what you would deem an acceptable length and width for a very energetic and playful carnivore that will spend most, if not all, of its life in the enclosure. Otters are cute, furry water animals that hold hands and groom each other to bond. Vets are expensive. Yet otters are still being illegally smuggled into these countries to be sold as pets., Loud noises. 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. They smear their droppings, which they produce constantly to mark their territory. Domestication is a process that occurs over generations of selective breeding, and it is not possible to fully domesticate a wild animal like an otter. Are otters friendly with humans? Dogs can infect otters with canine distemper and rabies. The base can consist of nutritionally-complete cat food. Otters play an important role in their ecosystems. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Before they used to be chased by humans for destroying rice cultures but now the parents are killed at first sight to get the youngs to make money! Additionally, otters require specialized care and a suitable habitat, making them unsuitable as pets for most people. Many zoos and aquariums train their otters to participate in educational programs or to exhibit natural behaviors for visitors to see. Eastern Red-backed Salamander. Participants must be able to squat/kneel down and stand up quickly and without assistance. Cage should have a top and fencing needs to extend in-ground. For example, in Nevada, lions and elephants are actually legal to own, but fennec foxes (which weigh 3 lbs) are not. Supplement their diet with vegetables, soft-boiled eggs, and insects. If you don't provide sufficient environmental enrichment, they will likely find it for themselves, probably among your things. Weird Pets: Sugar Gliders Sugar gliders are quickly becoming America's new exotic pet darling. Serfass, T., Evans, S. S., & Polechla, P. (2015). Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on December 31, 2019: Katouchka, I have seen breeders. Yes, I said scream. Not all our wants are positive. Question: Are otters legal to have as pets in North Carolina? Additionally, otters can have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury. 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. Where can I hold hands with otters? Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of an otters life. Background on Otter Otters eat 15 to 25% of their body weight daily. Fencing needs to extend in-ground because they can also dig out. 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.". 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. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. I just wanna make sure. Your bathtub or pool cant substitute for the large bodies of water otters are naturally found in. A otter is a species protected by both state and federal wildlife laws, and it is illegal to take them from the wild. 11 reasons why you should NOT have an otter as a pet. Otters are wild animals and can be unpredictable, especially if they feel threatened or uncomfortable. 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. When you see horror movies about canibbals or something you feel freaked out do you eat meat how do you think the cows,pigs and lambs feel and so on. Otters need a tropical climate. Only one species of otters is not considered federally illegal in the US, which is the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). Also, according to mink expert Joseph Carter, their bites can cause severe injury, although this is likely not worse than anything an otter bite can inflict. The IUCN guidelines don't even provide a the space for a single otter as otters are social animals that need at least one other otter for company. Hundreds of thousands of newborn kittens are euthanized at shelters because no one can take care of them. No, otters are not good pets. You'll also need access to plenty of fish. Listen people, trying to stifle information will only lead to more of that thing your trying to stop dont be ignorant. They like attention but do not like to play with humans, in the way humans like to interact with pets. Before considering obtaining a permit to keep an otter, it is important to thoroughly research the requirements and responsibilities involved.

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