Mary Allen
They go by the names Kotaro, Hana, or Bingo and are the new four-legged stars on YouTube and Co. They are not everyday pets like dogs or cats. Nevertheless, there are many parallels, because they sleep in comfortable dog beds, love cat food, and go for a walk in the park with their owners – with a collar and leash, of course. In addition, the bright guys are very affectionate and docile. And they like to splash around in the water for their life, which corresponds to their natural way of life. What is meant are the cute dwarf otters, which are preferably kept as pets, especially in Asia. But there is also great interest in this country. In our amount, you will find out everything you need to know about the exotic.
Dwarf Otters: Exotic Pets With High Demands
It is obvious that dwarf otters are also trendy with us. They are particularly cute and have short, thick, and silky-soft fur that we like to touch and stroke. In addition, otters become tame and can be very related to humans. The lively animals are playful, curious, and like to snuggle up in between times. In fact, otters seem to be capable of multitasking: Their gaze follows a movement with concentration, while their paws are already feeling for the next toy and examining it. They communicate with funny whistles and beeps. They hug cuddly toys when they sleep and look for a soft spot. However, caution is advised with their sharp fangs. Similar to dogs, otters like to put their hands and fingers in their mouths. This is a sign of bonding and getting to know each other. But young pygmy otters in particular are sometimes a little too brash and serious injuries can result.
Possibly Predators From Southeast Asia
You should also know that by their origin, pygmy otters are predators that have to hunt their meals in their natural environment. The diurnal predators feed mainly on crabs, mussels, snails, and other molluscs. This is why they have particularly strong teeth that are able to crack open the hard shells of their prey. Nevertheless, they can nibble very tenderly and like to take a front paw in their mouth when they are sleepy – like a toddler sucking its thumb.
The Southeast Asian region is home to the wild dwarf otters. They are located near the river and can be found particularly in India, Vietnam, southern China, or Taiwan. In the sandy shores, they dig stately structures in which they sleep and give birth to their young. Usually, they live together in sociable groups of eight or twelve animals. For this reason, as housemates, they should not be kept individually, but at least in pairs.
Funny Facial Expressions and Finger-Like Paws
Dwarf otters have a small head that merges seamlessly into the body. Their dark, alert eyes are wide apart, giving them a good all-around view. On the other hand, they cannot see so well what is directly in front of them. But their long whiskers, which are used for touching, make up for this shortcoming. The ears of the marten-like are very small and shell-shaped, but they can hear well. With their short and rounded noses, they pick up the scent and sniff out their surroundings with curiosity. Their mouths are not too big according to the head, but well developed with long fangs in the upper and lower jaw as well as strong molars for chewing. If it is closed, the corners of the mouth are slightly drawn down, so that the dwarf otters always look a little disgruntled. However, that underlines her cute animal face.
The small dwarf otters, which belong to the superfamily of canine species, weigh around four to six kilograms and are between 45 and 75 centimeters long. Their strong pointed and hairy tail takes up almost half of the entire body length. No wonder, because otters are excellent swimmers and use their tails as an oar and to help them move around in the water. It also helps them to keep their balance on land. The pygmy otter fur is very dense and is dark brown to gray in color in the back area. The belly and chin areas, on the other hand, are kept light. With around 50,000 hairs per square centimeter, their fur is one of the densest in the animal kingdom. It is used as perfect insulation against wetness and cold.
The paws of the dwarf otters are a specialty. They each have five finger-like toes with very short claws. Therefore they are often called finger otters or short-clawed otters. As with us humans, they have well-developed toes, which are considered to be excellent organs of touch. In addition, the front paws in particular serve to take in food. Little otters don’t usually pick up their chunks of food with their mouths, but hold onto it with one or both paws, which is cute to look at. The hind and front paws are equally equipped with slightly recessed webbed feet, which act like paddles in the water. Despite their short legs, otters can move surprisingly quickly even on land.
What Needs Do Otters Have as Pets?
In order to meet their natural urge to move around, dwarf otters also need a spacious enclosure when they are kept as pets. A cage or small animal stable should only be used during the acclimatization phase and is unsuitable for permanent housing. The little otters feel most comfortable when you build an enclosure for them in the garden or in the house. If you keep it indoors, it is advisable to have a whole room in which you can move freely. A pair of otters need at least 20 square meters. Of course, it is ideal if they are allowed to run freely in the apartment like dogs or cats. But remember that they climb very well and can jump even better despite their short legs. With a little practice, the high kitchen worktop will soon no longer be an obstacle for you.
In addition, pygmy otters also need their daily refreshing bath. Bathtub or fixed paddling pool (beware of teeth with air-filled models!) Should be at least. A larger basin or garden pool is even better. As mentioned before, otters like to take objects in their hands – sorry, in their front paws – and carry them away skillfully. Hence, they need toys to keep them busy. Classic dog toys or cat toys are suitable. When it comes to equipment, too, they have a similar need to other four-legged friends: food and water bowls, dog beds, transport boxes as well as dishes and leashes are on their shopping list. You can feed dwarf otters mainly with dry or wet food for cats or dogs. Regular fish and meat meals should also be on your diet.
Conclusion
Dwarf otters are cute and playful exotic species that, under certain conditions, can also be kept as pets. If you are interested in a posture, you should familiarize yourself with its particular needs and become an expert. Your specialist knowledge and appropriate housing conditions are the ideal basis.