Otters are delightfully cute. No, and you don't want one. Additionally, swimming with otters can be harmful to the animals, as it can disrupt their natural behaviors and expose them to human diseases. American Toad. 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. Half the houses in my neighborhood can't even take care of their own dogs right. Hannah Elizabeth is an English animal behavior author, having written for several online publications. If you find a wild otter, it is best to leave it alone and contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center. Feel free to share this guide with anyone who loves otters! There is little similar evidence to suggest otters want to do the same. You may not think it, just to look at them, although even when stock-still they are adorable. 1. This is the smallest. Parasites and general hygiene issues created by otters are also significant factors in why you shouldn't keep an otter as a pet. Many zoos and aquariums train their otters to participate in educational programs or to exhibit natural behaviors for visitors to see. 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. Can Caracal Kitten be good pets? Otters are notoriously difficult to potty train, and even when they are, they may decide to go against their training. They can be very destructive when they dont get what they want., Strong odor. It is illegal in all US States to keep this indigenous otter as a pets. 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. 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. Can Dogs Have Whipped Cream? Otters like to climb and dig, so your enclosure will need a top and to be dug into the ground. I couldn't agree more. While most countries and states have made keeping a jackal as a pet illegal, others will require you to get . Unfortunately we humans have too often put our own desires in front of what is best for nature. Can you have a pet otter in australia. 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. West Virginia: Otter ownership is legal in West Virginia with a permit from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Arkansas: Arkansas is one of the few states in the U.S. that allows otter ownership as a pet. Nevertheless, otters are personable, entertaining little creatures, as you would expect from their reputation. Question: Are otters illegal in western Australia? Both these habitats need to be well-tended. 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. As stated in the introduction, otters are mustelids. They are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine mammals, and subsist on diets mainly based on fish and invertebrates, such as mollusks. Vets are expensive. Eastern Newt. Marvel at the patience that the author must have had. Even cats and dogs require a team of people to help you. They are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Lets look after wildlife, please! There are 13 types of otter in total, but some are more common than others. They can cause damage. When she isn't creating content for blog posts, Hannah enjoys long walks with her Rottweiler cross Senna, reading fantasy novels and breeding aquarium shrimp. They can have up to 1 million (thats 1 with six zeros!) 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. Objects, such as hollowed-out lots, well-placed shrubs and trees, and items of cage furniture. Rage at the cruelty of man. Otters mostly eat fish and planktons, but they also feed on the ground with small birds, snails, frogs, or other amphibians. Otters can be destructive and are difficult to housetrain. They love to swim and dive in shallow waters although there are records of sea otters diving as deep as 100 meters. Yes, in some cases, you can volunteer with otters. Find Out Now! Keeping an otter as a solitary pet can make them very sad. 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. SafePetsForJoliet. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Supplement their diet with vegetables, soft-boiled eggs, and insects. Animals and mostly exotic ones are not our toys or our means to make money. While it's common to keep dogs and cats as pets, other unique and interesting animals including reptiles, insects, amphibians and terrestrial . Live animals and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world's most damaging pests and diseases into Australia. Nevada: In Nevada, owning an otter is legal as long as you have a permit from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. It is illegal in all US States to keep this indigenous otter as a pets. However, a recent uptick of otter attacks has caused distress to many fish owners across the island. Sometimes people can't handle the truth. I completed my post-graduate studies at Nottingham Trent University in 2021, securing an MSc Biodiversity Conservation qualification. 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. 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. 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 need a much larger enclosure than a typical dog. Note that you still require special permits in many of these states, and local city governments also stipulate whether it is legal or illegal to keep exotic animals within city limits, so make sure you find out this information before buying an otter! The base can consist of nutritionally-complete cat food. 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. Can you touch an otter? However, they also mark territory with scent glands at the base of their tail. But even if this is the case, keeping them as a pet will be discouraged by animal control and the Department of Health. Otters climb, so a roof or top is required, and they are keen diggers, so any fencing needs to be extended in-ground. The oldest known otter lived to be 21 years old. Also do you own any dogs or cats? I want a Asian small clawed otter In Arizona ,mesa. One of the few ways to keep an armadillo as a pet is to be someone who holds an Animal Breeding License, but obtaining one is difficult. Non-Domesticated Since these animals aren't domesticated, they're not 100% safe to be around humans full-time without proper training. Thanks to hunting, habit destruction and many other human activities, almost all species of otter are either endangered or at least threatened. Otters are social creatures. Remember to always treat otters with respect and caution, and support conservation efforts to protect these important animals. There are only 13 extant species of otter across the world[1]. Pet owners must provide proper care, including a secure enclosure, appropriate food and water, and veterinary care. It is extremely important that you provide diverse enrichment for ottersand all animals for that matter. Are otters legal pets? Have you ever seen an otter in the wild? Sea otters carry around a favorite rock in a pouch under their arms between meals, which they use to crack open the shells of various crustaceans. However, owning an otter as a pet is illegal in many states, so be sure to check local laws before purchasing. But shipping can be stressful, even if managed by a careful courier, so it is advised to go directly to a zoo, private breeder or animal educator, and enquire in person. Can you have a pet otter in australia. Specifically, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska and a handful of other states appear to allow the private-ownership of otters. Money Box, Personalised Otter Money Box, Coin Bank, Otter Money Box, Otter Gifts, Piggy Bank, Savings Jar, Otter Presents. However, owning an otter as a pet is illegal in many states, so be sure to check local laws before purchasing. - Repeat the above steps to add more items as needed. You may have seen videos on YouTube of otters playing in people's homes, but often these videos lack context. In what states is it legal to own an otter? Here is we collected all that you wanted about Can You Have An Otter As A Pet In Australia Watch free videos. However, like all mustelids that arent domesticated ferrets, they are also challenging to keep, and will require large enclosures and extensive enrichment. 12:34. In the wild, they mostly eat fish, while sea-dwelling otters use stones to break open mollusks. Laws change, and this list is not necessarily exhaustive. Otters are much happier (and quieter) in their natural habitat. Even you own a river its not enough! I tend to state that theres no such thing as a good or bad petit depends on what youre looking for in an animal. The name otter derives from the Old English word otor which, alongside other Indo-European cognates, ultimately stems from the root word *wdr, which, you guessed it, gives us the modern word water. Given their sensitivity, less than 10% are likely to survive to adoption. If you are bit by an otter, you'll need to treat the wound immediately. If you have adopted one, youll need to have the proper habitat for it. (2019). As always, wed be delighted to read your comments. 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. Keeping an otter as a pet has become fashionable in some countries for some time. Aggression when stressed. Patrons for the Utterly Outrageous Otters Encounter must be 12 years and over. Dont get a pet to show off get a pet because you have heart ! An otters diet can vary in captivity. Your bathtub or pool cant substitute for the large bodies of water otters are naturally found in. They belong in the wild, where they can swim, run, hunt and live freely. 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. I have to say that most though not all of the comments cause me extreme concern regarding our society today.