Otters are highly active, socially complex mammals whose zoo welfare depends on constant water access, enrichment that mimics foraging, and stable pair or family group dynamics.
Otter welfare in zoo settings requires abundant water access, both for swimming and foraging enrichment. Otters denied adequate swimming opportunities develop stereotypic pacing and show clear behavioral frustration. Small-clawed otters kept as pairs or small groups adapt reasonably well to zoo conditions when provided with varied enrichment — puzzle feeders, live fish in shallow pools, novel objects for manipulation. Their strong pair bonds mean that loss of a partner causes significant distress. The exotic pet trade in small-clawed otters — driven by viral social media content — is a serious welfare crisis: pet otters suffer from isolation, inappropriate housing, and the inability to express complex social behaviors. Zoos must actively counter the glamorization of otter ownership in their educational programs.