To many people, the cute appearance of otters is almost irresistible. They feel the need to adopt it and give it a forever home with loving care. This desire has only increased with the rising number of cute otter videos online. But the real question is whether otters can be domesticated.
No, otters cannot and should not be domesticated because they are meant to live freely in nature as wild animals. Caring for an otter in captivity would take a lot of work. You must also consider the havoc they will cause on your property once inside.
Although it might seem tempting, we suggest you read the article below and carefully consider whether adopting it is in your and the otter’s best interests.
Can Otters Be Domesticated?
Otters should not be domesticated. Despite their adorable appearance, sea otters should not be kept as pets but in the wild. Otters are also quite aggressive. Male sea otters have been known to kill females during the mating process.
Otters can crack apart abalone shells with rocks thanks to their razor-sharp teeth. Surely they could use that rock against you, right?
In addition, otters have high dietary requirements. Since they are marine creatures, they cannot survive in an environment that is not suitable for them. Having a sea otter as a pet might be very expensive. Keeping an otter is too much work for the average individual.
Even though having an otter as a pet may seem like a fantastic idea, you should not do so. Doing so will only endanger both you and the animal. The southern sea otter is in grave danger of extinction. It’s not acceptable to keep one in your house.
Things to Think About Before Bringing Home an Otter
The United Kingdom, Japan, and many of the United States all have laws against keeping otters as pets. The legality of owning an otter as a pet varies from state to state, but for now, it’s sufficient to know that you could be fined up to over $6,000 if you’re caught.
The antics of pet otters in various online videos are sweet and hilarious, but it’s understood that if the otter isn’t locked up, it will always wreak havoc. We don’t see them trying to tear up the carpet, bed, floor, or whatever else they can get their sharp claws on.
They’re equipped with sharp, lengthy claws. They continue to use them constantly. When provoked, they can bite. They make a strong spray and employ it in a skunk-like fashion. They come out at night.
You will either be required to remain up the entire night to keep tabs on them, which will be an interesting experiment in sleep deprivation, or pay attention to them attempting to get out of their cage for hours on end, let them out at nighttime, and deal with the wreckage of the property in the morning, or do all of the above.
You can expect to spend a considerable amount on food. Otters require fresh, whole fish daily and can consume up to 25% of their total weight in their diet.
Otters, to put it lightly, do not smell like other animals. Put another way, they stink! Otters leave their scent marks by rubbing against objects, as they are equipped with scent glands all over their bodies.
Some researchers have described this as having a “violet aroma,” but those who keep otters as pets tend to disagree.
Otters have very pungent excrement, which they employ as a kind of communication with one another in the wild. Being held captive simply makes the situation uncomfortable due to the odor.
How to Care for an Otter
It takes a lot of dedication to care for an otter. If you’ve adopted one, make sure you provide it with an appropriate environment. They need lots of room and tender, loving care.
The enclosure of an otter must be big enough to let the animals swim, run around, and look for food. A standard dog-sized enclosure will be too small for these animals. Your otter will probably spend most of its life in its cage.
The tropics are ideal for otters. They do best between 75 and 85 degrees. They’ll require both a pool and a dry place to rest. Constant exposure to water can lead to a variety of health problems.
Because otters are so active, their enclosure should be dug into the ground and have a top. Outdoor space is ideal for an otter’s enclosure. Cleaning up otter poop and protecting your furniture are just two of the numerous difficulties of indoor habitation. In addition to being difficult to housetrain, otters are also destructive.
The diet of an otter is flexible. You can start them out on cat food, but the meat content should make up more than fifty percent of their food. Fish are a great addition. Vegetables, soft-cooked eggs, and insects can be added to their diet.
Do All Countries Forbid Keeping Otters as Pets?
The legality of keeping an otter as a pet varies not just from country to country, but also from region to region and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction within a country. It would have to be evaluated, considering the rules set by the local government.
However, it appears that only a small number of countries encourage people to keep otters as pets. Pet fads emerge with predictable regularity in Japan. Although they weren’t the pioneers of the pet café concept (that distinction goes to Taiwan), the concept took off in Japan.
The trend has since expanded, and now there are hedgehog and even owl cafés all over the place. These have introduced substantial challenges, and the survival of exotic animals in these settings is highly questionable.
Keeping otters as pets has become something of a trend in Japan. This trend has unfortunately encouraged the illicit trade of otters into Japan. The illegal wildlife trade harms animal populations everywhere. Inaccurate information about it could also lead to an increase in other countries.
Otters are classified as mustelids. The family Mustelidae also includes the ferret. Compared to the otter, the ferret is better suited for the role of domestic pet and is a better choice for those who are thinking about getting one.
Conclusion
There are many beautiful sights and adorable animals that nature has to offer. The beautiful thing is that we do not need to capture them to cherish them. The best way to cherish them is to appreciate them from afar, causing minimal human interference.
