Listen people, trying to stifle information will only lead to more of that thing your trying to stop dont be ignorant. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a42687def9b0fea2fd9b99208cd94d0d" );document.getElementById("ae31964646").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is not a pet for beginners, or the faint-hearted! However, pet owners must meet strict requirements, including providing a secure and appropriate habitat, proper nutrition, and veterinary care. Otters are not ferrets; they are not animals that should be kept with the intention of cuddling them. Although the ferret needs their own considerations when adopted into a family, they are more suited to the role of domestic pet and are a good recommendation for those who previously considered having an otter as a pet. They are so delightful, you could see why people might want to have an otter as a pet. Otters arent happy to be one or two with a child pool and a bathtub ! Also watch for signs of bacterial infection to the wound. The only reason is if they cannot survive in the wild and need to be protected. If you find a wild otter, it is best to leave it alone and contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center. But. On the 4 Asian species 3 are under protection because theyre getting extinct ! Your email address will not be published. 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. Only one species of otters is not considered federally illegal in the US, which is the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). You can have 2 of each of the following animals: American Bullfrog. If you were able to find one, the cost of their expertise would be prohibitively expensive to most households. It depends on the state, but yes, it is likely illegal. South Carolina: In South Carolina, otter ownership is allowed with a permit from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. And I really want to pet or hold hands with an otter. many native mammals have large home-ranges and need to kept in large outdoor enclosures. However, if you have ever seen one having a snooze while going down river, opening up lunch on their bellies or rollicking in the water with their friends, only the meanest of the mean wouldn't find them enchanting. This doesnt make them automatically legal in every state. In the wild, otters roam over a large area, including terrestrially and aquatically over land and water. Additionally, otters are social animals and need to live with other otters to thrive. 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. Otters are very playful creatures. Interestingly, however, otters can be legally obtained for private ownership. You need resources to own any pet, much less an exotic one. In captivity, diets can vary somewhat but need to provide a lot of basic nutrients. But what do you think? [removed] Otters can be destructive. Thank you for taking the time to look at our personalised otter ceramic money box. Where can I hold hands with otters? 4. Sometimes people can't handle the truth. Nevertheless, otters are personable, entertaining little creatures, as you would expect from their reputation. American Toad. Answer: Since pet otters are rare, a dealer has a lot of leeway when naming their price. The local authority's regulations will need to be assessed before it could even be considered. White ceramic money box Personalised. 11 reasons why you should NOT have an otter as a pet. Pet Collars & Leashes Pet Furniture Pet Clothing & Shoes . However, this is a highly regulated process and requires meeting strict requirements for the care and housing of the animal. They deserve to be out in the world in environments which we do't interfere with. 11:06. Not having enough entertainment or putting stress on your pet otter can also lead to destructive, aggressive behavior. Tremble with Tarka as the sounds of the otter hounds come down the valley. What states are otters legal in? If the otter is not able to be released, it may be possible to adopt it as a pet. Who knew? Where can you shake hands with an otter? Crested Gecko Enclosures: Whats the Best Choice? More otters smuggled for sale in Japan as demand as pets grows. While sea and river otters are deemed federally illegal due to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Asian small-clawed otters are not covered by the same level of protection. Many Asian countries have taken measures to protect them through bans and regulation.. Question: Are otters legal in Pennsylvania? Not only do these animals make terrible pets, but they're also nearly impossible to domesticate. (Complete Budgie Diet Guide). This is the smallest. They also mark their territory by smearing their feces around, which contributes to the odor.. Unless you do what Joseph Carter does for his mink to keep them busy, I wouldn't recommend them as pets to most people. Product details: Item Number: 001000265731 Brand: Otter Box Model Number: iPhone 7 Plus Colour: Pink We ship nationwide! However, this is highly unethical and illegal, so be cautious and thoroughly research the seller and the legality of owning an otter as a pet before making a purchase. AnimalWised takes a look at the different aspects of domestic otters. They have an oil, waterproof coat and webbed feet, which makes them good swimmers. Other otter species, like the ocean otter and giant otter, can reach lengths of 6 ft (1.8m), as long as a tall human. Because theyre so cute, theres been a high demand to own them as pets., Illegal poaching and sales have hurt the global otter population. Even if you could get an otter certified as a therapy animal, it would still be illegal to buy or sell one. Arkansas: Arkansas is one of the few states in the U.S. that allows otter ownership as a pet. They live in freshwater wetlands and mangrove swamps in Southern Asia. Squirrels as Pets - Is It OK to Have a Pet Squirrel? They are hard to potty train, and their fast metabolism means they poop a lot, and often. Can otters be released into the wild after being in captivity? Check out Otter Bingo and Otter Kotaro on U-Tube. More information can be found by referring to the Asian Small-Clawed Otter Husbandry Manual. Can you have a pet sea otter? Otters are very playful and charming and it might seem easy to interact with them or have them as pets. An otters diet can vary. And if they do, it could get messy. North American river otter (or common otter): Found in and along North Americas waterways and coasts, these otters weigh between 11 and 31 lbs (5-14kg). Cats and dogs were bred to be companions and we couldn't even handle that. 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. This is the otter species Ill be focusing on in this guide, as it is the only one you could, feasibly or otherwise, keep as a pet otter. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 26, 2020: Nixie Nox I guess this also means dalmatians shouldn't be pets then. 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. It is illegal to keep almost all otters as pets in North America, with one exception. Some might make an argument that an animal like the cat was not originally domesticated, but now fares well under human co-existence. However, they will probably warn you against going down the route of otter husbandry, for the reasons I have outlined in this guide. (Lifespan Guide). Their relatives include wolverines, badgers, and, of course, weasels (stoats). Additionally, otters require specialized care and a suitable habitat, making them unsuitable as pets for most people. Below is a basic care guide. Can Caracal Kitten be good pets? Otters in this genus are characterized by only partial webbing between their toes, and small, blunt, peg-like claws. Are Emperor Scorpions Poisonous? They have sharp teeth, powerful prey drives, and they're little bundles of furious energy in motion whenever they are awake. Yeah I know but some people already own them and they couldnt put them in the wild because they wouldnt survive. To stay warm in the water for so long, otters have incredibly thick fur, and very fast metabolisms, which means they need to eat a lot 20% of their body weight per day, during certain months. Lontra canadensis. 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. (Diet and Feeding Frequency). Thank you for this VERY enlightening article. No matter how much you fantasize about them, you must accept the fact that they are not house pets. I spearfish the invasive fish in the eel river and have had wild otters swimming feet away from me eating the fish I kill. While it's common to keep dogs and cats as pets, other unique and interesting animals including reptiles, insects, amphibians and terrestrial . I will stick with my donations and wish them love. Retrieved on 29 November, 2019. Otters mostly eat fish and planktons, but they also feed on the ground with small birds, snails, frogs, or other amphibians. Are otters good pets? Maximum of two people per encounter. 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. Unless you are an expert or biologist or zoologist, you should not own an exotic pet. An otter needs to have the life he was intended to have and need to be around their own kind in order to thrive. If left untrained, they can leave many droppings around the house. 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/. Obtaining a permit for keeping an otter is difficult, if not impossible. DeKay's Brown Snake. I have an affinity for unique companions (my first buddy was a nurse shark that imprinted on me). 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. Yes, you can own an otter in Massachusetts as long as you have a permit from the state. Emergency Vet Prices: How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost? No, you cannot keep an otter as a therapy animal. 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 . Reuters Wildlife rehabilitation centers These centers take in injured or orphaned wild animals and care for them until they can be released back into the wild. Such illegal trafficking is detrimental to wild populations of animals worldwide. Required fields are marked *. 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.". If you are bit by an otter, you'll need to treat the wound immediately. Unique or exotic pets. While otters can form bonds with humans, they still retain their natural instincts and behaviors. Guess what, they are picked off by predators within 3 days. The upfront cost of purchasing an Asian small-clawed otter is approximately $4,000 unaffordable for most individuals. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Yes, I said scream. Question: Are pet otters legal in Canada? Thanks. Negative impact on the wild population: Keeping otters as pets contributes to the decline of wild populations, as individuals are captured from the wild and taken away from their natural habitats. In the majority of the US, it is completely illegal to keep an otter as a pet. Online classified ads Sites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace sometimes have individuals who breed or sell otters. They're actually very aggressive animals. Answer: Sea otters are not legal anywhere under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. This article is very upfront and honest, however when reading the comments I was overwhelmed with all the ignorance. Due to their high fish diet, an otter's excrement is particularly foul. The Answer May Surprise You! If you don't provide sufficient environmental enrichment, they will likely find it for themselves, probably among your things. They also need have enough elements such as trees and branches to scavenge. It could benefit the scientific community as well since little is known about their behaviors. 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! In the UK, otters are fully protected under Sections 9 and 11 of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981[2]. Click to attach a photo related to your comment. I have grown up in the redwoods of California. Otters can give dogs Salmonella, just like humans. You may be asked to demonstrate this. Zoological parks Some zoos have captive breeding programs for otters and may offer the opportunity to adopt one. In the wild, they mostly eat fish, while sea-dwelling otters use stones to break open mollusks. However, if youre still keen on the otter, and live in a state where you can legally own one, youre welcome to take the next step. Specifically, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska and a handful of other states appear to allow the private-ownership of otters. The bad news is that this leaves them vulnerable to poachers, who hunt them for their velvety fur. In the wild, they use their strong jaws and sharp teeth to crack open shells and catch fish. You see, otters are members of the weasel family. You need a vet. 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. 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. You can usually visit the otter you have adopted, and some programs offer other perks, like behind-the-scenes tours. "Oh honey~~~ you shouldn't have! Can You Have An Otter As A Pet In Australia. If they are constantly wet, they can develop health conditions.. You can keep an otter as a pet with the proper permits that allow you to house game animals in captivity. 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! It is illegal in all US States to keep this indigenous otter as a pets. . Live animals and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world's most damaging pests and diseases into Australia.