While they were not the first country to open a pet caf (this was Taiwan's honor), the idea gained significant popularity there. When theyre captured and sold as pets, otters are not living their full, natural lives. But theyre probably more likely to bite unfamiliar people, like visitors! They need attention all the time. For instance, in Nevada, lions and elephants are technically legal to own but not 3-pound fennec foxes. However, there are few countries which appear to favor having otters as pets. More otters smuggled for sale in Japan as demand as pets grows. (Lifespan Guide). Online classified ads Sites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace sometimes have individuals who breed or sell otters. But above all, enjoy this unique and intimate insight into one of our wildest, shyest animals. Poisonous bite symptoms and treatments, 8 AMAZING jumping spiders types you can get as pets, 31 Interesting Axolotl Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. Dont take this as an endorsement of keeping them, but in purely legal terms, you may be able to own an otter in the following states: In the majority of the US, it is completely illegal to keep an otter as a pet. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. An otters diet can vary in captivity. 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. They have specific dietary and environmental needs, and not everyone is equipped to meet them. Owning native otters is illegal in many countries including the UK, Japan, and the U.S. If you believe your state should be on this list, check with your local state department. Unfortunately, we would not be able to list every country where keeping otter as a pet is legal or illegal. Maybe they are for you, maybe not! Plumbing fixture you fuck an otter as a pet linear unit australia OTTERS as PETS Reason It's a BAD Thought. Using food dispensing devices available for dogs and cats that must be manipulated to dispense treats. Remember when 101 Dalmations came out and everyone ran and got a Dalmation and thousands got dumped at animal shelters? The lifespan of otters varies depending on the species and their environment. You cannot keep one as a pet in the US. 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. 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. In most countries, only dogs and miniature horses are recognized as therapy animals. Prohibited mammals, reptiles and amphibians You are not allowed to keep prohibited animals as a pet in Queensland. The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest species of otter. The ideal temperature for their pool is 7585F, but they also need a dry area because if they are wet all the time, they can develop health issues. 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. Have a secondary pond/enclosure that I keep stocked with fish,frogs, and other native species that I would let my baby out in daily and go swimming with it. That being said, exotic animals from overseas could introduce some of the world's most damaging pests and diseases into Australia. With that said, most or all states will likely ban possession of native otters, and the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act strongly protects marine species (sea otters). Food is expensive. Where can you shake hands with an otter? (Complete Budgie Diet Guide). The otter is not a domesticated animal species. In most countries, otters are considered wild animals, and it is illegal to buy or sell them. They are considered to be very high-maintenance, as you would imagine. 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. They are carnivores with a high metabolic rate, requiring them to consume 20% of their body weight per day. Hence the name. However, just like any other wild animal, otters can be dangerous and aggressive. This classification means that only native otters are legal which includes the river otter. As mentioned earlier, they have specific needs that are challenging to meet in a domestic setting. You can keep an otter as a pet with the proper permits that allow you to house game animals in captivity. There should be hollowed-out logs, aptly placed shrubs and trees, and various cage furniture that will make the space more interesting. The short answer is yes, but it comes with many caveats or catches. Several countries have legislation protecting otters from being kept as pets. That includes all game animals, birds and furbearers, including bear, beaver, coyote, deer,. That way, youll get advice direct from the source! Space alone is not enough to mimic the otter's natural ecosystem. Different provinces have different laws. I will stick with my donations and wish them love. They are not commonly available, and you would likely need to get on a waiting list. It is illegal to keep almost all otters as pets in North America, with one exception. They are apex predators that help keep populations of fish and other aquatic creatures in check. If you have a dog in your home, they can get into fights with your otter., Dogs and otters can transmit diseases to each other as well. Otters can be legally obtained for private ownership. Therefore, purchasing an otter can do more harm than good and is not advised. Obtaining a permit for keeping an otter is difficult, if not impossible. One thing that I think it's important to note is that ASC otters vocalize constantly in captivity for attention. Retrieved on 29 November, 2019. Even cats and dogs require a team of people to help you. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. Due to their high fish diet, an otter's excrement is particularly foul. Asian small-clawed otters - the only otter sometimes allowed as pets - need a mixture of land and water in their enclosure. Are there any research programs to help repopulate endangered species of otters such as the Congo clawless otter which so little is known about. In this AnimalWised video, we talk about the lifestyle of these mammals, what types of otter exist and why you should never have them in a. As a result, these pets are often abandoned. White ceramic money box Personalised. This doesnt make them automatically legal in every state. Specifically, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska and a handful of other states appear to allow the private-ownership of otters. They're actually very aggressive animals. Is it illegal to have an otter as a pet in every country? The answer is no. The cage should have a decent size that allows the animal adequate room to exercise and forge. Yes, some otter species are endangered. Eastern Red-backed Salamander. I think otters are fun to watch, have exciting personalities and overall give out positive vibes. Otters can give dogs Salmonella, just like humans. But what do you think? Asian small-clawed otters are one of 13 species of otters in the carnivore family Mustelidae. Reuters 12:34. Hi I'm looking to buy a otter I want to know how much they go for. In the wild, they feed on mostly invertebrates and occasionally frogs. 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 dont allow it. Canadian Arctic Marble Fox as Pets (Are they good pets? Their unpleasant smell can permeate a home if they live indoors. 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. Cage should have a top and fencing needs to extend in-ground. 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. But in Japan, where more than a dozen animal cafes now feature otters, they have . How To Care for A Pet Otter? This craze of having exotic pets like fennec and foxes (in Russia its popular ), beautiful exotic reptiles and so much more is so wrong ! Smell may seem a minor consideration, but should not be overlooked. Are otters friendly with humans? They travel in groups and maintain family ties, for life. It is illegal to have an otter in most states, Pet otters require a lot of space and water, Axolotl Care: How to take care of an axolotl, Vietnamese Mossy Frog Pet Care (10 Steps Complete Guide), American Green Tree Frog as Pets (4 Care Facts You Must. If you try to teach an otter right vs. wrong, for example regarding littering outside the litter box, it will likely perform the negative action just in order to elicit a reaction from you. They are cunning and intelligent and predatory and like to know every nook and cranny of their dwelling place. Freshwater otters live in family groups of up to 15 in the wild. Im looking to train otters at the zoo to learn how to care for exotics. If you were able to find one, the cost of their expertise would be prohibitively expensive to most households. Can you touch an otter? Because Dalmations are high energy dogs that were bred to run 25 miles a day under carriages, and the families couldn't handle them. Yet otters are still being illegally smuggled into these countries to be sold as pets., Loud noises. This can be fed irregularly with a "scatter" method to ward off stereotypic behaviorsomething that occurs when certain animals are fed at specific times. We are living in a world full of ignorant, entitled, beings who have little/no respect for anyone or anything. Question: Are pet otters legal in Canada? Other otter species, like the ocean otter and giant otter, can reach lengths of 6 ft (1.8m), as long as a tall human. Crested Gecko Enclosures: Whats the Best Choice? 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. The recommended space for a pair of otters is 60 m, roughly the size of an average apartment. 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. Theyre not for us to put them in cute hats ! : They are not illegal to breed. Some species of otter exist discontinuously in patches unconnected by land because of over-poaching. If you are bit by an otter, you'll need to treat the wound immediately. As always, wed be delighted to read your comments. Tremble with Tarka as the sounds of the otter hounds come down the valley. Not all our wants are positive. Living inside comes with many challenges, like cleaning up otter feces and keeping your furniture intact. 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.