These cute little guys are many times mistaken for beavers as they live on land and water. You will normally find otters living on land but very close to any body of water which they use to hunt for fishes and other marine animals which they feed on. One look at the otter and you will see that it is an adorable creature.
Many say that it resembles mongoose or is probably related to the bear. But the otter is the largest members of the weasel family. Other members related to this mammal are wolverines, badgers, and the polecats. Otters in the wild normally would not attack any human unless it is being provoked or has little ones and becomes overly protective when believed they are threatened. But when it comes to self defense, you can be sure the otter will give a few bites here and there as they do have sharp teeth and claws.
If you plan on getting a pet otter, you must ensure that the otter has a well balanced diet and be careful not to overfeed the animal. In the wild, otters will hunt and eat, fish, lizards, bugs and other small reptile. But don't be fooled by these tiny creatures, they are food heads. Otters can consume up to 20% of their body weight daily. That would be like a large man weighing 200 pounds and consuming 40 lbs of steak daily. That is a lot of food! But don't go running to the pet store and digging down the isle for otter pet food. You may be digging a while. Just always have fish and other meats such as bird meat available to provide for your pet otter.
The average life span of the otter is 10-12 years. But sea otters have recorded living up to 25 years. The otters diet and care will also determine its life span factor.
Just like any other animal you would have has a pet, the otter is also capable of contracting diseases and also affecting other animals around such as a dog or cat. If you do decide on getting a pet otter, you must be aware that otters can contract:
- Rabies, canine distemper, canine parvovirus and infectious canine hepatitis, etc.
- salmonellosis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, enteritis, clostridia, brucellosis, leptosporosis, and pasturellosis.
- superficial skin disease called dermatomycosis, and pulmonary infections called coccidiodomycosis.
- Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite affecting otters in the Puget Sound Georgia Basin region. This parasite originates from cats and causes brain inflammation and death.
After you have received the requisite paper work to own an otter. The next step is to ensure that your otter is disease free by taking the animal to Vet to have it checked and possible vaccinated. The vaccination will help to stem the contraction of many of the diseases stipulated above.
Once you decide on getting a pet otter. You should always do due diligence into the animals living style and make accommodations suitable for the otter to be comfortable. Ensure that you have the following available for your pet otter at all times.
- Body of water.
- Plenty of fish
- Makeshift bush like Area.
Otters will reach reproduction stage with 2-3 years. The Gestation period is 60 days to nine months depending on the species of otter. The otter can have up to six pups. But the sea otter will only have one offspring birth in one year. Depending on the species, otters are fed from the Mom up to 12 Months. After that, they will have to forage for food themselves.
Pet Otter Sounds
If you hear some weird sounds coming from your pet otter, don't rush outside to see if it is hanging in the jaws of a gator. Otters will whistles, chirp, growl, click and sometimes scream. They will make various sound depending on what they are doing.
Some Different Species of Otter
You will find these little swimmers in the Northern Pacific Ocean. You can differentiate the Sea Otter by its small rounded face structure. Visit the Northern Pacific Ocean and you will see these otters just floating on the water probably being lazy after eating a large fish. The sea otter may not be the best otter for a pet because it enjoys and needs vast waters to live healthy and happy.
Not the kind of otter one would take as a pet. This otter has very long weasel like body and can weigh as much as 26 and 32 kg (57 and 71 lb) for males and 22 and 26 kg (49 and 57 lb) for females. The giant otter has the shortest fur of all otter species; it is typically chocolate brown, but may be reddish or fawn, and appears nearly black when wet. The Giant Otter is quite an eater. It will hunt catfish, perch and anything characin. When hunting on land, the otter will go after small snakes, lizards. The Giant otter can eat up to 9 lbs of seafood daily. If you plan on having this animal as a pet, be sure to have a hefty supply of fish and a large pool for your giant otter.
The otter known for two things: Beautiful Fur and for being Clawless. Aside from the Giant Otter, no other otter is bigger than the African clawless otter. The clawless otter cab weight from 12 -21 Kg. This otter is also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter. These otters are found in lowland forest areas and also in the Svannah. Wherever you find otter dwelling you should be sure to find some permamnt water source nearby.
The distinguish look of white along the length of the otters brownish coat makes this otter stand out easily. This otter is also known as the Eurasian otter.
Take a look at this long sized otter with its large head. The Northern river otter can be found in America and Canada. You will always almost find them clinging to the banks of shallow rivers. Otters are basically semi aquatic and hence depend on the water for it's natural survival. Northern river otters are frequent eaters. They spend a lot of time in water catching fish. A key difference with this otter and other otters is its eating habits. The Northern River otter gulps down its food in one go instead of chewing. Which gives it more time to go catch another fish.
Any animal can make a great pet. Choosing an otter as a pet is not far off as many people prefer to have exotic animals as pets. But what is really important is the fact that the animal is cared for even much better than it would do for itself in it's natural habitat. Remember, before you go get get an otter, find out what the law says in your region regarding owning an otter. Possession of these animals without permit can be illegal.