Zoo database

Oriental small-clawed otter

Aonyx cinereus

Natural diet Oriental small-clawed otter

The oriental small-clawed otter is a carnivore that mainly feeds on fish, squids, crabs and other crustaceans. Foraging is done in shallow water or at the shoreline. Their teeth are well suited for a varied diet including small bones and shells.

Fish
Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Oriental small-clawed otter

Feed quantity per day

10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 3 kg and eats 10% of its body weight, it will get
 
3 x 0.1 = 0.3 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

39% Meat and whole prey
60% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.39 x 0.3 kg = 117 g meat and whole prey
0.6 x 0.3 kg = 180 g fish products
0.01 x 0.3 kg = 3 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of fish
Variety of meat (whole carcass foods e.g. mice and chicks)
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 two feeding moments per day.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • Stimulate dental health by feeding harder dietary components (e.g. carcasses).
  • 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. Besides this, raw fish sausages can be smeared throughout the enclosure (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).