Otters can be legally obtained for private ownership. There are many exotic pets that people fantasize about owning — baby penguins, panda bears, dragons — but they are often shocked to hear that some people can and do legally keep exotic pets like fennec foxes, wild cats, and marmosets.
Is it illegal to own an otter as a pet?
While they're widely illegal in the U.S., you may be able to own and care for an otter in some states with the proper permitting. Specifically, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska and a handful of other states appear to allow the private-ownership of otters. Before taking an otter into your home, you will need to contact both state and ...
Are You allowed to have otters as pets?
Otters are delightfully cute. But can you keep one as a pet? The short answer is yes, but it comes with many caveats or catches. There are owners who have domesticated otters. But there are many factors to consider.
Can I buy an otter as a pet?
These semi-aquatic creatures hold hands and cuddle, making potential pet otters all the craze among aspiring pet owners. People will pay thousands of dollars for this exotic pet and some online trade encourages pet ownership. However, owning an otter as a pet is neither a simple nor smart idea for a multitude of reasons.
Can you keep an otter as a pet?
The most common species that is usually preferred for a pet is the Asian small-clawed otter since it very small. Also, the fresh water otters can be kept as pets though they might be disadvantaged because the artificial aquatic environment that you offer them might not match the natural one they are used to. Not Illegal in Some States
Can I have an otter as a pet?
Owning native otters is illegal in many countries including the UK, Japan, and the U.S. Yet otters are still being illegally smuggled into these countries to be sold as pets.
What pets are illegal in Australia?
Prohibited mammals, reptiles and amphibiansAmerican corn snakes.anoles - all types.boa constrictors.Burmese pythons.ball pythons.chameleons.dingoes.feral pigs.More items...•
How much are pet otters?
The Oxford Brookes researchers recorded “160 sale posts from 59 individual sellers in five market groups, with a total of up to 337 individual otters posted for sale.” Siriwat says they found a large price range for baby otters, from around $39 to $203, with an average baby otter costing around $103.
Can you own a fox in Australia?
the Vermin Control Act 2000 and restricted animals under the Nature Conservation Act 2002. Landholders may be required to 'suppress and destroy' any fox found on their property. It is an offence to import, keep, carry or release foxes.
Can I own an owl in Australia?
Owls are wildlife species, and you will need to be trained before you get a license to keep a native species in captivity. Only after being trained and licensed can you legally keep an owl.
What states can you have an otter as a pet?
While they're widely illegal in the U.S., you may be able to own and care for an otter in some states with the proper permitting. Specifically, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska and a handful of other states appear to allow the private-ownership of otters.
What is the lifespan of an otter?
Pups start diving within two months. LIFE CYCLE: Male sea otters live between 10 and 15 years, while females live slightly longer, from 15 to 20 years.
How long does an otter live?
They can live eight to nine years in the wild but have lived up to 21 years in captivity. North American river otters were hunted and trapped extensively for their fur in the 19th and 20th centuries, and are still hunted in some places.
Can u own a monkey in Australia?
Can you have a pet monkey in Australia? A monkey is considered as an exotic animal in Australia. This means that they can only be held by licensed persons and usually only for exhibition or conservation purposes. Therefore, monkeys cannot be sold for commercial purposes or kept as pets by private owners.
Are hamsters illegal in Australia?
All introduced mammal species are prohibited as pets unless listed as exceptions. A sample of these prohibited mammals include: foxes • squirrels • ferrets/polecats/stoats • rabbits • hamsters • monkeys/marmosets • gerbils • weasels • dingoes.
Why are hamsters illegal in Australia?
According to Australian quarantine regulations, hamsters are listed as an invasive pest. Australia is worried about what could be happening to the ecosystem by an unregulated population of hamsters.
Are guinea pigs illegal in Australia?
Unfortunately guinea pigs cannot be imported into Australia at this time. Please see the Australian Government Department of Agriculture website for more information. Sorry to be the bearer of this news, Enosha. Australia is a rabies-free country that imposes pretty strict rules on the pets allowed in.
What is the only otter that lives in the sea?
Sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ): other otters can live in rivers, lakes, marshes, lagoons or any places with fresh water, but the sea otter is the only one which lives in the sea.
Where and how do otters live?
There are only 13 extant species of otter across the world [1]. They are mustelids which means they belong to the same family as weasels, minks and badgers, but form a part of the subfamily Lutrinae. Thanks to hunting, habit destruction and many other human activities, almost all species of otter are either endangered or at least threatened. Fortunately, many governments and jurisdictions have created contingencies to try to protect these animals. In the UK, otters are fully protected under Sections 9 and 11 of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 [2].
How much space do otters need?
The recommended space for a pair of otters is 60 m², roughly the size of an average apartment. The IUCN guidelines don't even provide a the space for a single otter as otters are social animals that need at least one other otter for company.
What is the smallest otter?
The smallest of all otters, they are also the one species which has been sometimes kept in domestic situations as a pet. We will explain explain below.
Why are otter excrements foul?
Due to their high fish diet, an otter's excrement is particularly foul. However, they also mark territory with scent glands at the base of their tail. Aggression in otters is also something important to consider. As we have stated, they are not domestic animals.
Which otter is bigger?
Giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ): the giant otter is the longest of the species, the sea otter's weight and abundant fur, make it bigger overall. Giant otters can be attacked by other animals, but do not have any direct natural predators. Humans, unfortunately, have hunted them to near extinction in some parts.
Is an otter a domesticated animal?
The otter is not a domesticated animal species. There are many otters kept in captivity, but these are in animal welfare centers, zoos or conservation areas. Some might make an argument that an animal like the cat was not originally domesticated, but now fares well under human co-existence.
How many species of otters are there?
All 13 species of otters are wild animals, extremely sensitive to environmental changes, and are a marking, latrine species. Over half of all 13 otter species are endangered or vulnerable and are not legally breed - they have to be capture, usually by killing the mother and confiscating the pups.
What Is a Pet Otter Like? Do They Make Good Pets?
Otters are usually kept outdoors because they emit an odor. They smear their droppings, which they produce constantly to mark their territory.
Why are Dalmations euthanized?
Because Dalmations are high energy dogs that were bred to run 25 miles a day under carriages, and the families couldn't handle them . Cats and dogs were bred to be companions and we couldn't even handle that. 25 million cats and dogs are euthanized in the US each year.
What temperature should an otter cage be?
The ideal temperature for their pool is 75-85°F, but they also need a dry area because if they are wet all the time, they can develop health issues. Depending on the size, the cage should provide at least 30% water. Otters do climb, adding to the complexity of the habitat, so a top is required.
How much do otter eat?
An otter’s diet can vary in captivity. They are carnivores with a high metabolic rate, requiring them to consume 20% of their body weight per day.
Is an Asian otter a good pet?
What is a good pet? I tend to state that there’s no such thing as a good or bad pet — it depends on what you’re looking for in an animal. However, Asian small-clawed otters, despite being the otter species best suited for captivity, are not commonly kept, even in the exotic pet-keeping community.
Can you legally own an otter?
Otters can be legally obtained for private ownership. There are many exotic pets that people fantasize about owning — baby penguins, panda bears, dragons — but they are often shocked to hear that some people can and do legally keep exotic pets like fennec foxes, wild cats, and marmosets.
Why do people keep otters as pets?
The bottom line? People keep otters as pets because they're adorable.
Where do baby otters come from?
Baby otters are arguably the most adorable creatures on the planet! The small-clawed species of otter hails from southeast Asia and hunts for fish in the wild. These semi-aquatic creatures hold hands and cuddle, making potential pet otters all the craze among aspiring pet owners.
How much space do otters need?
Otters need a lot of space and environmental enrichment. The recommended space for two otters is the size of a small apartment, and you need two, as these are extremely social animals. You'll also want to mimic their natural ecosystem, and it's recommended that they live outdoors.
Is an Asian otter wild?
The Asian otters are wild otters! Other otters (sea otter, river otter) aren't as popular. Remember those captive otters you see in the otter cafes are stressed. These popular weasels aren't in family groups like they are in the wild, and the cages aren't mimicking their natural habitats.
Is it safe to keep otters?
It's important to remember that otters are wild animals! While they appear cute and cuddly, it's very difficult to keep them safe and secure. Otters need protected from illegal wildlife trade, but keeping them cooped up in close-quarters isn't healthy for this species.
Is It Legal to Have a Pet Otter?
To protect the animals, many Asian countries have enacted laws banning the poaching, sale, possession and transport of these adorable critters.
What are the downsides of owning an otter?
Another downside of owning otters is that they can be very noisy.
Where do otter live?
About Otters. Otters are a group of semi-aquatic mammals found in Europe, Asia, South America, and the far north of Africa. They belong to the family Mustelidae, order Carnivora. Otter lives in various aquatic and semi-aquatic environments.
How many legs does an otter have?
The otter has four relatively short legs which are used for swimming, moving, fish handling, grooming, and digging. The fingers are connected by an interdigital membrane that helps with swimming.
What is the shape of an otter's tail?
Otters have a hydrodynamic body shape with a tail that is thick at the base that thins towards the top, utilized in swimming and rudder. They also have a flattened head with small ears (which close when the otter sinks) and a thick neck.
Is the otter a mammal?
The otter is a relatively large mammal, with an elongated body covered with a very thick coat that keeps them warm in the water. There are several species of otters, and their size varies depending on the species. The largest specimens are giant otters (Pteroneura brasiliensis) that live in freshwater rivers in northern and central South America. Unfortunately, this species of otters are rare and endangered.
Is an otter rare?
Otters Are Expensive And Rare. While there are so many animals that you can pick from that are standard, such as the dog or cat, or even ones that are slightly different, such as a skunk or ferret, many want pets that are creative or that hardly anyone else has.
Is it illegal to keep an otter in a cage?
Besides, otters are a protected species and it is illegal to keep one as a pet in many places.
Why are Asian otters illegal?
The charismatic sea otters are federally illegal due to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Asian otters are not federally illegal because they are not marine animals, but they are certainly not legal to own in every state. On top of this, even relative to other “zoo” type animals, otters would be incredibly challenging to own in your home, possibly with an exception if you can afford a wonderful outdoor enclosure with a drainable water source and temperature controls. Keep in mind that this water feature would also have to have good containment.
How big of an enclosure do you need for an otter in Michigan?
If this is true, you can keep an otter as long as you acquire a permit that authorizes holding game animals in captivity. There are specific enclosure requirements detailed; the enclosure for one otter needs to be 10’x8’x6’, increasing the cage size horizontally by 40 square feet for each additional animal. Each animal also needs to be provided with a “den site” that is 4’x4’x4. These seem like reasonable minimum requirements for the proper care of otters.
What class are otters in Michigan?
All species not listed in Class 1 and 2 are automatically in Class 3, which includes otters. There are specific requirements for otters, along with ferrets, genets, mink, and others regarding enrichment. Michigan In Michigan, otters appear to be covered under ‘game animal’ laws.
What is a class 1 animal?
Class I Wildlife includes bullfrogs, green frogs, certain birds and native mammals and reptiles . Class II Wildlife involves ‘dangerous’ animals like mountain lions, bears, and native venomous snakes. While river otters are specifically mentioned as an animal that can be owned with a permit, this may only apply to native otters.
Is an Asian otter legal in Nebraska?
This means that Asian otters are either legal with an obtainable permit or they are not regulated. The permits cost $33 and a conservation officer has to inspect your enclosure.
Can you own an Asian otter without a permit?
This would mean that Asian otters are either legal without a permit or perhaps covered under another rule.
Can you own an Asian clawed otter?
The unfortunate reality is that there is only one species of otter that can possibly be owned—the Asian clawed otter—and even finding this species is difficult. The best way to go about getting one is to contact an exotic animal broker.
Where are otters kept?
They are kept in zoos , particularly the Asiatic short-clawed otters, which are social. Some zoos offer otter experience days for a suitable price. I had a quick search on the internet and the nearest I found was that Australia Zoo in Brisbane used to do otter encounters, but they have new otters and are hoping to restart the encounters when they are more settled in. They do lots of other animal encounters.
What do African clawless otter owners say?
In the words of people who own African Clawless Otters, “Otters are like ferrets on crack.” So if you don’t like the idea of everything you own being turned into something the otter can play with or destroy…..
Why is it bad to keep a dog indoors?
Because they are highly active, playful, and hyperactive, keeping one indoors is almost a certain way to destroy
Do otters fight?
But you have to remember otters are hunters who even when interacting with other otters are not particularly gentle. Otters will fight for mates and territory and when they fight it is a no hold barred fight .
Is an otter native to Australia?
They are not native to Australia, so you won't find them in the wild. You shouldn't approach wild otters anyway, since they are rightly nervous of humans and have sharp teeth!
Is it illegal to have an otter as a pet?
In most states it is 100% illegal to have an otter of any species as a pet, due to their highly destructive nature, and the danger to livestock they pose. A very few allow an exotic, like an African, with a permit.
Is it illegal to keep a tame otter?
First of all, it’s illegal to keep a tame otter in every one of the United States.
