Animals other than those that are usually kept as a companion or domestic animal attract a lot of attention and generate curiosity to know what it is like to have one at home. Are otters friendly with humans? They are so delightful, you could see why people might want to have an otter as a pet. However, I'd like to be able to contribute to the conservation of otters and their habitat, so I hope I can find a way to do that. Specifically, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska and a handful of other states appear to allow the private-ownership of otters. Additionally, otters can have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury. You should include fish. I do not even need to mention you all the reasons why. Expect to pay at least $3000; it could also be a lot higher. They are extremely uncommon, and you would likely need to contact a broker who can track down a breeder or import one. -They have a lot of personality and can be very affectionate with their owners. The oldest known otter lived to be 21 years old. 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. You may have seen videos on YouTube of otters playing in people's homes, but often these videos lack context. Smitten. Otters arent happy to be one or two with a child pool and a bathtub ! Otters require a large enclosure with access to water, a specialized diet, veterinary care, and enrichment to keep them mentally and physically healthy. You cannot keep one as a pet in the US. Here is a list of states in which owning an otter is legal, along with some important information to keep in mind if you are considering acquiring an otter as a pet. Question: Are otters legal to keep as pets in Georgia? If the otter is not able to be released, it may be possible to adopt it as a pet. Exotic animals have many guidelines regarding their maintenance in captivity, but possession laws do change depending on the State. Participants must be able to squat/kneel down and stand up quickly and without assistance. These toys are excellent for species that hunt and forge. This is only a very simplified introduction to feeding. For enrichment, otters will need walkways, natural shrubbery, nesting boxes and lots of options for safe digging and foraging. Guess what, they are picked off by predators within 3 days. Otters are very territorial and live in family groups. They force them, they are not pets, they are not our possession, they belong to nature! If a state doesnt prohibit the possession of "non-domesticated carnivores" or the family Mustelidae (of which Asian small-clawed otters are a member), and it doesnt have an awful list of "non-regulated" species of which all not named on it are considered illegal, then these otters might be legal! Listen people, trying to stifle information will only lead to more of that thing your trying to stop dont be ignorant. Keeping an otter as a solitary pet can make them very sad. Quite possibly. In addition to common domesticated pets such as cats, dogs, aviary birds and aquarium fish, some native animals can be kept as pets under a special licence from NPWS. Not having enough entertainment or putting stress on your pet otter can also lead to destructive, aggressive behavior. 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. Dont get an otter just because its adorable , you probably will not be able to care for her . 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. Complex care requirements: Otters are not domesticated animals and require specialized care. They are the smallest otter species in the world. Members of the Mustelidae family, otters are related to weasels, badgers, honey badgers, martens, minks, polecats and wolverines. 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. A lot more animals are legal in New York State, as opposed to New York City, where most animals are illegal. Yes, some otter species are endangered. Are Emperor Scorpions Poisonous? [removed] 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/. But in Japan, where more than a dozen animal cafes now feature otters, they have . Owning a pet otter is considered illegal in several countries including the US, Japan, and the UK. Many zoos and aquariums have volunteer programs that allow you to work with otters and other animals. As stated in the introduction, otters are mustelids. They are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T12302A21936349. In Australia, it is illegal to keep an otter as a pet. These include: 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. Retrieved on 29 November, 2019. I have to say that most though not all of the comments cause me extreme concern regarding our society today. Heap, C. J., Wright, L., and Andrews, L. (2008). 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. All those things you find cute on IG are them showing their distress ! As we have stated, they are not domestic animals. Otters can also be loud and destructive. Otters are excellent diggers and have sharp claws and teeth. You should be ashamed Mellissa! Cats and dogs were bred to be companions and we couldn't even handle that. Before considering obtaining a permit to keep an otter, it is important to thoroughly research the requirements and responsibilities involved. Asian small-clawed otters - the only otter sometimes allowed as pets - need a mixture of land and water in their enclosure. Avoid rigid structure in order to prevent stereotypic behavior. It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, patience, and experience to house them, provide them with enrichment, and keep them safe and secure. 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). Otters are cute, furry water animals that hold hands and groom each other to bond. Their bite is sharp and piercing. Because they are cute is not a valid reason for keeping captive otters, even if it is an enjoyable bonus. The latter option may be ethically questionable given the species vulnerable status in the wild, and brokers are unlikely to tell you where the animals are obtained (which is standard in the industry). However, this is a complex process that requires specialized care and rehabilitation to ensure the otter can survive in its natural environment. Otters are protected under various laws and regulations, and owning one without proper permits can result in fines and other legal consequences. It is important to work with trained professionals and follow guidelines for releasing otters back into the wild. Swimming in circles , chanting, running around like crazy is them showing they suffer! 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Can i legaly own a short clawed otter here in Ontario Canada? The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists several otter species as either endangered or vulnerable due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. Remember to always treat otters with respect and caution, and support conservation efforts to protect these important animals. Pet Guide: How to Care for a Pet Emperor Scorpion, Blue Parakeets: 5 Step Complete Care and Color Mutation Guide, How Long Do Budgie or Parakeet Live as Pets? Lets look after wildlife, please! Otters are adorable animals, but keeping them as pets is not a good idea. Fun fact: Otters are one of the lesser-known tool users of the animal kingdom. However, there is also DNA evidence to suggest that cats were susceptible to the process of domestication and may have even domesticated themselves[3]. All you say and recommend is ethically against your Vet degree! And for those shaming her in the comments. Arkansas: Arkansas is one of the few states in the U.S. that allows otter ownership as a pet. There are several strict guidelines concerning their care and upkeep, but, in theory, you can keep an Asian small-clawed otter as a pet in some states of the USA. This classification means that only native otters are legal which includes the river otter. In so many States in the USA it is illegal to keep a pet otter. They have varying sizes across all species, weighing between 2.2 to 99.2 lb and having lengths between 2.0 to 5.9 feet. Vegetables, insects, crayfish, monkey nuts, soft-boiled eggs, etc. Can you own an otter in BC? Are otters dangerous? Also They really have an annoying squeal. Answer: Yes, but you would have to be granted a permit, which isn't easy. SafePetsForJoliet. If you do not live in a warm climate, supplementary heat is necessary for land. After otter hunting was banned in the UK in 1978, their numbers dropped. Fencing needs to extend in-ground because they can also dig out. Under provincial and federal law, it is illegal to keep a wild animal, as designated under the BC Wildlife Act, as a pet. you, an, otter, as, a, pet, unit, australia, s, can, have, in. Otters need a tropical climate. Not only does this depend on the country, the legality of keeping an otter as a pet will also depend on regions and jurisdiction within a given country. 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. What is the Difference Between a Donkey, a Mule and an Ass? They're actually very aggressive animals. All pets have at least some bans on exotic pets, even if they sometimes don't make complete sense. Yet otters are still being illegally smuggled into these countries to be sold as pets., Loud noises. They need plenty of space and care., An otters enclosure needs to be large enough for them to get exercise and forage. The space aka property with a huge pond that I would build a huge enclosure around. Vets are expensive. In the wild, otters roam over a large area, including terrestrially and aquatically over land and water. This species is not for beginners. To raise an otter away from its natural family group is a tragedy, so if you are still planning on keeping an otter, know that you will have to keep several otters in order to maintain the sanity and mental wellbeing of each one! Likely, your otter will spend most of its life in the enclosure. Otters are wild animals. Question: Are pet otters legal in Canada? I guess they'd much rather be coddled and have everything handed to them SMH. In the wild, they use their strong jaws and sharp teeth to crack open shells and catch fish. Your email address will not be published. some native mammals, particularly wallabies and kangaroos, are prone to diseases caused by the stress of contact with humans, domestic pets (cats and dogs) and noise. most native mammals are nocturnal and some, such as possums and gliders, can only be kept . They need attention all the time. Otters can be destructive and are difficult to housetrain. Prohibited mammals, reptiles and amphibians You are not allowed to keep prohibited animals as a pet in Queensland. Otters have very sharp teeth and can turn aggressive quickly, if annoyed. Are otters legal in New York? North Carolina: Otter ownership is legal in North Carolina with a permit from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Can you have a pet penguin in Canada? All 13 species of otters are wild animals, extremely sensitive to environmental changes, and are a marking, latrine species. Only one species of otters is not considered federally illegal in the US, which is the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). Otters are being poached from the wild to become pets in Japan and Thailand The Asian small-clawed otter has become a popular pet in Southeast Asia. Being A Pet Is Not Good For an Otter If you love animals, then please do not keep otters as pets! The fact that these otters require a tropical climate may be why they tend to be kept mostly by zoo professionals. Pet otters are sought after in many Asian countries like Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia.. If you keep a pet otter, be very careful when you have visitors. Feel free to share this guide with anyone who loves otters! They are hard to potty train, and their fast metabolism means they poop a lot, and often. Maybe they are for you, maybe not! Is it illegal to have an otter as a pet in every country? Supplement their diet with vegetables, soft-boiled eggs, and insects. It is illegal in all US States to keep this indigenous otter as a pets. It is also something which could see a rise in other countries if the wrong information is spread. Many of these facilities have otters on display, and some even have interactive exhibits where you can watch them play and swim.