Zoo database

Giant otter

Pteronura brasiliensis

Natural diet Giant otter

Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans

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

Feeding advice Giant otter

Feed quantity per day

10% of body weight

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 = 2376 g fish products
0.01 x 2.4 kg = 24 g supplements

Diet suggestions

In moderation

Oily fish

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).

Common diseases

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

Urinary stones
Peritonitis
Renal Calculi
Hepatic lipidosis
Osteoporosis

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Fish Eater Liquid

Akwavit tablet Dolphins

Jasper Hesselink

Production