How to Breed Otters

There are a few reasons to breed otters in captivity, including to increase the population of otters at a zoo or to later reintroduce the animals into the wild. However, successfully breeding otters can be difficult. According to "Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation," specialists have a very hard time reliably breeding any of the globe's thirteen otter species. There are steps you can take to try and breed your otters, including keeping the animals healthy, creating a den for the mother and letting the otters mingle with a variety of potential mates.

Things You'll Need

  • Male and female otters
  • Otter habitat
  • Otter den
  • Straw or hay
  • Otter food
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Research your type of otter's reproductive pattern, as this can vary between otter species. For example, the North American river otter only breeds one season each year, while the Eurasian otter can breed year-round. Also, remember that female otters don't start becoming sexually mature until they're around two years old.

    • 2

      Keep your otters healthy and happy. Otters use both dry land and water daily, so provide them with space for swimming and resting on shore. Feed the otters a variety of foods, including fish, crustaceans, small birds and vegetables.

    • 3

      Ensure the female otter has a safe enclosure where she can give birth to her pups. This den should be filled with straw or hay.

    • 4

      Allow the male and female otters to mix and mingle. According to "Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation," trying to breed only one pair is very difficult in captivity. Instead, use a group of otters and create different pairs among them. Hopefully one will be a successful match and they will mate.

    • 5

      Wait to see if the otter is pregnant. Female otters sometimes experience delayed implantation, when the fertilized egg floats freely in the mother's uterus for several months. An otter's gestation is usually two to three months after inception.

    • 6

      Separate the father from the mother before she gives birth for every animal's safety. You can try to reintroduce the male when the baby otters have matured. When the litter is born, expect two to four pups.