A General Behavioral and Enrichment Study of Captive North American River Otters (Lutra Canadensis) at the Audubon Zoo

A General Behavioral and Enrichment Study of Captive North American River Otters (Lutra Canadensis) at the Audubon Zoo PDF Author: Diana L. Wright
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Audubon Park and Zoological Garden (New Orleans, La.)
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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A General Behavioral and Enrichment Study of Captive North American River Otters (Lutra Canadensis) at the Audubon Zoo

A General Behavioral and Enrichment Study of Captive North American River Otters (Lutra Canadensis) at the Audubon Zoo PDF Author: Diana L. Wright
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Audubon Park and Zoological Garden (New Orleans, La.)
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Determinants of Social Behavior in Captive North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis)

Determinants of Social Behavior in Captive North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) PDF Author: Olivia R. Beasley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : North American river otter
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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"While scientists have conducted some behavioral research on wild river otters, detailed studies of interactions are difficult for a species that ranges widely. A full understanding of river otter social patterns requires captive studies, however, as yet few such studies have been done. To help fill this gap we carried out a study of the social behavior of a group of captive river otters. We tested three hypotheses: first, that male otters would engage in more social behavior than females; second, that most social behavior among conspecifics would occur during the early evening; and third, that most social behavior would occur in the terrestrial portion of the exhibit (analogous to latrine sites). Data were collected at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN, over 8 weeks in June-July 2017"--Abstract, leaf ii.

North American River Otter

North American River Otter PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Lutra canadensis
Languages : en
Pages : 142

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Effects of Increased Feeding Frequency on Captive North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Behavior

Effects of Increased Feeding Frequency on Captive North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Behavior PDF Author: Matthew J. Hasenjager
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781124608556
Category : Captive wild animals
Languages : en
Pages : 79

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Playful Slider

Playful Slider PDF Author: Barbara Juster Esbensen
Publisher: U of Minnesota Press
ISBN: 1452933243
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description
Explores the world of the North American river otter, describing the playful mammal's behavior and characteristics.

Recommendations for the Successful Captive Breeding of North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis)

Recommendations for the Successful Captive Breeding of North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Captive otters
Languages : en
Pages : 474

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The North American river otter (NARO) (Lontra canadensis) is a semi-aquatic mammal found in the wild throughout North America, and captive at many institutions throughout the world. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) captive NARO population represents an important feature species that attracts many patrons to zoological institutions. NAROs are rarely taken from the wild, so captive breeding programs are being utilized to increase the captive population. These captive breeding programs are overseen by the AZA to ensure the genetic diversity of the captive populations, and to encourage proper care and management of the animals. Captive breeding, however, is not always successful. In fact, captive breeding of mustelidae (members of the weasel family) has been a learning experience for all involved; as seen by the easy success of the Black-footed ferret (musetla nigripes), the hit or miss success of the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), and the lack of success with the sea otter (Enhydra lutris). This research project was initiated to identify factors, such as geographic origin of the breeding pair and zoological practices, that contribute to successful captive breeding. Observations of the Pueblo Zoo (Pueblo, CO) NAROs and their zoological practices were conducted as part of this study. This information was used to create a survey, which asked specific information about the captive NAROs, and the zoological practices that impact thier captivity. The survey was then sent to all AZA institutions that house and attempt breeding with thier captive NAROs. Results from the 30 responding AZA institutinos indicate that having two NAROs from similar geographic locations, both in proximity and latitude of origin, aids in successful captive breeding. No single zoological practice was demonstrated to have a significant impact on successful captive breeding. Despite low response rate, the evidence suggests that successful captive breeding is more likely to occur between NAROs from similar locations, and that, as expected, providing a healthy environment that meets all biological needs may aid in successful captive breeding.

Environmental Enrichment Effects on the Activity of a Nearctic River Otter

Environmental Enrichment Effects on the Activity of a Nearctic River Otter PDF Author: Kenneth O. Nelson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Captive wild animals
Languages : en
Pages : 94

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"Environmental enrichment has been used to identify and change a stimulus in a captive environment to increase the animal's welfare by bringing out species-appropriate behaviors and combating stereotypic behaviors. One captive North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) was presented four enrichment initiatives (live fish, frozen fish, swim tube, PVC scent tubes) in a random order and placement throughout the exhibit. Baseline data showed that the otter preferred to spend mornings in the lower level of the exhibit and the afternoons in the upper level. Food initiatives (i.e. live fish, and a lesser degree frozen fish) were most effective in deterring a stereotyped swimming pattern, but effects were confined to the times in which the initiatives were present, and more effective when applied in the afternoon than in the morning. This suggested that the stereotyped behavior was functional, occurring out of a lack of ability to forage. Variability existed in behavioral diversity between initiatives, and all initiatives increase exhibit utilization through exploratory behaviors and the expression of more naturalist behaviors. Results should be used by animal care staff to make corresponding changes to husbandry practices to improve the otter's welfare."--Abstract.

Assessment and Deployment of Genetic Tools for North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis)

Assessment and Deployment of Genetic Tools for North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) PDF Author: Kelsey Lawton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : North American river otter
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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"North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) once thrived in large numbers in most wetlands of North America. However, due to human pressures such as trapping, habitat loss and pollution, these carnivorous mammals have decreased in numbers significantly in the last 100+ years, becoming extirpated in many traditionally inhabited areas. The use of genetic data from molecular techniques (PCR, DNA sequencing) can guide the identification and management of populations used for relocations to better maintain genetic diversity in both wild and captive otter populations and help inform the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) breeding programs. Management organizations are concerned with the possibility of multiple paternity in the management of small captive populations. Therefore, molecular tests that show positive paternity/parentage are useful for managing small populations. This study deployed a suite of ten previously developed microsatellite loci as tests of parentage in a few families and to show a proof of concept that the set of loci would be suitable for Lontra canadensis populations. The study confirmed parentage for one family unit and cast out sire parentage for another. This study used (1122 of 1140 bp) mitochondrial DNA sequences from the cytochrome b locus to reconstruct relationships of 31 haplotypes from many US localities from both AZA and wild populations totaling over 100 individuals (~40% of the captive AZA population). Haplotype relationships reveal (1) 5 haplogroups, (2) shallow divergences (0-0.5%) among lineages and (3) a moderate divergence (0.7-1%) between haplogroup V from the Atlantic US coast and the remaining US haplogroups. The data reveal the AZA population maintains a mixture of 24 haplotypes and 5 haplogroups, with most animals within one large haplogroup (II) and fewer in the remaining haplogroups identified. The NYS samples represent 7 unique haplotypes plus 2 shared haplotypes (with AZA) within 3 haplogroups."--Abstract.

Food Washing in Captive North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis)

Food Washing in Captive North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) PDF Author: Evelyn Neunteufel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Captive wild animals
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Project Otter

Project Otter PDF Author: Susan Ring
Publisher: Av2 by Weigl
ISBN: 9781590360590
Category : North American river otter
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Provides general information about river otters, as well about one particular pup born at the St. Louis Zoo, exploring why this species is endangered and how zoos are working to prevent its extinction.