Mary Allen
Otters have been gaining popularity lately, thanks in part to YouTube videos. The Japanese city of Kobe even has a café where guests can pet and play with a free-roaming otter. Also here in this country, many people would like to have an otter as an extraordinary pet.
But is everyone allowed to hold an otter? And where can you buy an otter? Here you can find out what requirements you have to meet in order to be allowed to keep an otter as a pet.
Otters as Pets: the Right Enclosure
Anyone considering keeping a miniature otter as a pet should keep one thing in mind: otters are very intelligent animals and excellent swimmers. They are active and extremely sociable. Proper keeping of otters is not easy. If you only want to buy an otter because you think the animals are cute, you shouldn’t do it.
Little otters need a large enclosure of at least 20 square meters, half of which is a swimming pool. At least two otters must live together. In the wild, otters live in groups of about 12 animals.
Depending on the number of otters, the size of the enclosure must be adjusted. In winter they need heated shelters to retreat to.
Is an Otter for Everybody?
In order to answer the question, one should be aware of what an impressive animal this is: Otters not only have the thickest fur of all mammals in Germany. They are also among the smartest animals in the world.
Only otters can make and use tools alongside crows, dolphins, and monkeys. Otters use rocks on their bellies like an anvil to crack open shells. According to researchers, the animals have been practicing this method for several thousand years.
Dolphins are said to have mastered the tool’s method for only a few hundred years. Otters do not learn this tool method from their parents either but have mastered it from birth. The species of otter that is most commonly kept as pets is the pygmy otter (also called short-clawed otter).
It grows up to a meter long and comes from Asia. Its claws are shorter than those of its conspecifics. It feeds on mussels, crabs, worms, fish, and molluscs. If you want to keep a pygmy otter as a pet, you must of course also ensure that there is an appropriate supply of food.
In general, otters should only be kept by otter experts. Otters are wild animals that are by no means suitable as cuddly toys. Similar to raccoons, which some people keep as pets, otters are easily bitten or scratched.
If they get hold of everyday objects such as a handbag, they like to break something in the game.
Where Can I Get an Otter From – You Have to Pay Attention to That
Before you can even purchase an otter in Germany, you need official approval. This requires expertise and appropriate accommodation. Depending on the federal state, the official approval may contain further requirements. You can apply for it at your responsible state authority.
With the official permit, you can buy otters in some pet shops, among others. But be careful when buying: When buying, you have to pay attention to which species can be traded at all.
Since many otter species are endangered, trading in them is prohibited. For the other species, approval is required, both by the country of origin of the animal and by the country of destination. When buying, you should make sure that all papers are present.
Let us show you the relevant papers in advance. If you suspect that the dealer has bought his animals on the black market, please report the matter immediately. For one thing, it would break the law and treaty.
On the other hand, it cannot be ruled out that the animals are not kept in a species-appropriate manner and may even be tortured.
Conclusion – Are You Really Suitable?
Having an otter as a pet is really no picnic. The many needs of the animal must be satisfied to ensure species-appropriate husbandry.
If you feel able to do this, we wish you a lot of fun looking for an animal at a breeder or a pet shop!