Otters need a tropical climate. For enrichment, otters will need walkways, natural shrubbery, nesting boxes and lots of options for safe digging and foraging. This is only a very simplified introduction to feeding. Question: Could an otter, raised from a young pup, make a unique and workable therapy animal or visiting moral animal for elderly / disabled / children? If you believe your state should be on this list, check with your local state department. No, you cannot keep an otter as a therapy animal. Hence the name. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Because I love otters. But there are many factors to consider. 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 you have managed to acquire an otter, please make sure you know how to care for it properly and that you are committed to keeping it for the entirety of its lifetime. It could benefit the scientific community as well since little is known about their behaviors. Owning native otters is illegal in many countries including the UK, Japan, and the U.S. They have specific dietary and environmental needs, and not everyone is equipped to meet them. Other animals in the Mustelidae family include the ferret. WOW!! This requires a fence which is not climbable and has a horizontal ledge at the top. If left untrained, they can leave many droppings around the house. In the majority of the US, it is completely illegal to keep an otter as a pet. Below is a basic care guide. hairs per square inch. Yes, some otter species are endangered. No, it is not safe or ethical to swim with otters. 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. These include: They can cause damage to your home and hurt other animals in your family. Well address some of the most frequently asked questions about buying an otter. Many of these facilities have otters on display, and some even have interactive exhibits where you can watch them play and swim. Even with the best intentions we cant give them enough , enough playtimes, enough nutrition.l enough everything. Tremble with Tarka as the sounds of the otter hounds come down the valley. Marvel at the patience that the author must have had. As with all wild animals, otters are likely to react to humans in unexpected ways, and they can turn aggressive when they feel threatened. These include many species of native birds (mostly parrots), some captive-bred reptiles and frogs from a licensed breeder or society. Otters make loud whistling or screeching noises. Otters should not live in a domestic household, and a demand for pet otters helps drives illegal animal trade and decimate wild populations. If you are interested in adopting an otter, you will need to provide a specialized diet that includes a variety of fresh fish and shellfish. Question: Are otters legal pets in California? Other zoological animals like meerkats, raccoon dogs, slow lorises, and pangolins can't be owned privately for many reasons, at least in the United States. 11 reasons why you should NOT have an otter as a pet. For instance, in Nevada, lions and elephants are technically legal to own but not 3-pound fennec foxes. Additionally, otters can carry diseases that are harmful to humans, which is another reason why they are not suitable as pets. Question: Are otters illegal in western Australia? Messy housemates. 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. Otters are wild animals and require specialized care. They like attention but do not like to play with humans, in the way humans like to interact with pets. Question: Are otters legal in Pennsylvania? Very few are owned by private individuals and habited in domestic environments. In so many States in the USA it is illegal to keep a pet otter. Plus I would never just have one. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has previously released a general, but not exhaustive, guideline to keeping otters in captivity[4]. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists several otter species as either endangered or vulnerable due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. If you want to read similar articles to Can You Have an Otter as a Pet?, we recommend you visit our What you need to know category. This is the way for all animals, but the fundamental problem is that wild animals are better off wild, no matter how well we think we can look after them. 25 million cats and dogs are euthanized in the US each year. It is the most common type trapped and sold as pets. Due to their high fish diet, an otter's excrement is particularly foul. Can you have a pet penguin in Canada? No, otters are not good pets. For example, most states have bans on big cats, primates, and bears, but in states that allow more surprising species as pets, the majority of counties and towns don't allow it. Likely, your otter will spend most of its life in the enclosure. 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 some cases, it may be possible to keep an otter with the proper permits and licenses. Question: Where do you go to adopt an otter? How otters are protected. Not all our wants are positive. Stop being sensitive everyone. However, Asian small-clawed otters, despite being the otter species best suited for captivity, are not commonly kept, even in the exotic pet-keeping community. Unless you do what Joseph Carter does for his mink to keep them busy, I wouldn't recommend them as pets to most people. Also do you own any dogs or cats? But theyre probably more likely to bite unfamiliar people, like visitors! They're actually very aggressive animals. 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. Its amazing and I have always dreamed of having one as a pet. Thanks to hunting, habit destruction and many other human activities, almost all species of otter are either endangered or at least threatened. : They are not illegal to breed. Otters can carry and transmit dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and Streptococcus phocae to you and your other animals. The otter is one of the cutest creatures you can imagine. They have been known to destroy furniture with their inquisitive claws and teeth. Otters like to climb and dig, so your enclosure will need a top and to be dug into the ground. 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. Some animals are illegal to keep in Queensland. Online classified ads Sites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace sometimes have individuals who breed or sell otters. However, owning an otter requires a permit, which can be obtained from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Not only do these animals make terrible pets, but they're also nearly impossible to domesticate. Why is is not right to have an OTTER as a PET? But what do you think? No, otters cannot be domesticated. A certified veterinarian giving advise on how to get an exotic animal to own as a pet? But if you do decide to own an otter telling you how to properly care for your new family member. There are many otters kept in captivity, but these are in animal welfare centers, zoos or conservation areas. 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. Asian small-clawed otter: This is the only otter to have entered the pet trade. A lot more animals are legal in New York State, as opposed to New York City, where most animals are illegal. You need a vet. The fact that these otters require a tropical climate may be why they tend to be kept mostly by zoo professionals. Because they are cute is not a valid reason for keeping captive otters, even if it is an enjoyable bonus. Heap, C. J., Wright, L., and Andrews, L. (2008). They are hard to potty train, and their fast metabolism means they poop a lot, and often. Parasites and general hygiene issues created by otters are also significant factors in why you shouldn't keep an otter as a pet. 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. However, owning an otter as a pet is illegal in many states, so be sure to check local laws before purchasing. 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. Food is expensive. 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. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. In the United States, it is legal to own an otter with a license, although regulations vary from state to state. Let us learn more about this incredible creature as we read this article. Question: Are otters legal to have as pets in North Carolina? Native birds are also federally protected. The food they eat will also need to be considered with an appropriate diet and at least 350 g of food per day for each animal. 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. Emergency Vet Prices: How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost? Poisonous bite symptoms and treatments, 8 AMAZING jumping spiders types you can get as pets, 31 Interesting Axolotl Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. Cage should have a top and fencing needs to extend in-ground. I can only make educated guesses as to where they might be legal due to researching what isn't legal. Some introduced animals, have become serious pests in Queensland that attack pets and damage crops, the environment and the economy. They have high exercise and socialization needs and require a large living space with access to water. From a legal standpoint, owning an otter can be trickier than a skunk, but it is possible. When theyre captured and sold as pets, otters are not living their full, natural lives. 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.
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