Zoo database

Giant otter

Pteronura brasiliensis

Natural diet Giant otter

Giant otters are piscivorous carnivores, meaning that they mainly consume fish. If fish are not available, invertebrates such as crabs are also consumed.

Fish
Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Giant otter

Feed quantity per day

10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 24 kg and eats 10% of its body weight, it will get
 
24 x 0.1 = 2.4 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 2.4 kg = 2,376 g fish products
0.01 x 2.4 kg = 24 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of fish
Supplements

In moderation

Oily fish

Not recommended

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Urinary stones
  • Peritonitis
  • Renal Calculi
  • Hepatic lipidosis
  • Osteoporosis

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least three feeding moments per day.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • Avoid oxalate-rich components to prevent kidney stones.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using ice cubes with frozen fish, large fish heads and feed balls stuffed with fish (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).