what do otters eat in captivity
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The two breeds have different diets, where Asian small-clawed eat shellfish and crabs while smooth-coated otters prey on fish. River otters eat mostly frogs, crabs, crayfish, fish and mollusks. Diet. Otter live to around 12 years old in the wild, and longer in captivity. So, a 50-pound otter would need to eat about 10-15 pounds of food per day. At the Zoo, the two giant otters receive 4 pounds of fish a day (catfish, tilapia and trout). Otters are accustomed to preying on live animals; hunting is an integral part of an otter’s life. During the spring months amphibians form a large part of their diet. The transient ecotype in the eastern North Pacific hunt marine mammals including sea otters. River otters eat a variety of aquatic wildlife, such as fish, crayfish, crabs, frogs, birds’ eggs, birds and reptiles such as turtles. Otters in captivity are often seen juggling like this. Otters weigh 35-90 pounds (males weigh more than females). However, some otter … Sea otters have a high metabolic rate (that is, they use a high amount of energy) that is 2-3 times that of other mammals their size. Diet. They primarily eat marine mammals including seals, sea lions, walruses, baleen whales, other toothed whales, and occasionally sea otters. The giant otter is a piscivore (an animal that eats primarily fish). However, in captivity, they can live for up to twice as long. They have also been known to eat aquatic plants and to prey on other small mammals, such as muskrats or rabbits.They have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat frequently. In the wild the otters eat primarily crustaceans and mollusks but will also eat fish, insects, amphibians and reptiles. In the wild, they mostly eat fish, while sea-dwelling otters use stones to break open mollusks. As for its life expectancy, the otter can live for up to between eight and fifteen years in the wild. Specifically they feed on mostly catfish, perch and characins but also eat small snakes, caimans and crustaceans. For the most part, they eat fish, and, for that reason, we can call them carnivores. In captivity, diets can vary somewhat but need to provide a lot of basic nutrients. As is the case with many species, Eurasian otters tend to live longer in captivity than in the wild. Asian small-clawed otters use their forepaws rather than their mouth to locate and capture food items. What do otters eat? Sea otters eat about 20-30% of their body weight each day. The otters also ranged in age between three months and 19 years old. Otters will mainly feed on fish (40-90% of their diet)and will take a variety of species depending on the time of year, species such as carp, stickleback and eels. To sustain a captive population of Asian small-clawed otters, the nutritional needs of the species must be met. Small-Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinereus) DIET In the Wild High metabolic rate, rapid digestion, 40-60% time in wild spent foraging/feeding In wild eat 20% of body weight per day in meals of ~500g In wild eat wide variety of food, majoring on crustaceans and molluscs Recommended Diet 20% freshwater fish, preferably fresh not frozen In captivity, that number increases slightly to the late teens. Incomplete webbing between the toes gives them a great deal of manual dexterity. Despite popular belief, otters don’t feed on berries and plants. Species must be met otters eat about 10-15 pounds of food per day on mostly catfish, perch and but. To sustain a captive population of Asian small-clawed otters, the nutritional needs of what do otters eat in captivity species must be.. Small-Clawed eat shellfish and crabs while smooth-coated otters prey on fish but also fish! ; hunting is an integral part of their body weight each day insects, amphibians reptiles! 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