Social behaviour and activity levels in a group of six captive Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx Cinereus)

The Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) is a very popular animal species in zoos and aquariums due to its strong charismatic value. This species, which in nature occupies mostly forests and wetlands of South-east Asia, it’s the smallest and the least aquatic among the otter family. Animals can be active during both day or night times and they mostly spend their time hunting due to their very high metabolism. Little is known on these animals’ behaviour in the wild, but they are generally considered to be territorial and social. In captivity Asian small-clawed otters are frequently housed in family groups with a dominant reproductive couple and their male offspring of different years’ litters. The aim of this study is to investigate the activity levels and the social interactions of six Asian small-clawed otters housed at Parco Faunistico Cappeller located in Cartigliano (VI). In captive environment is very important to know the daily activity of animals because in this way is possible to plan and to provide in the proper moment the enrichment or any eventual training programme. Furthermore, seen the high attractivity that this species can exercise on public, zoos and aquariums managers may decide to organise guided tour and educational or commercial opportunities during the peaks of animals’ interactivity. In addition, this study tries also to analyse the interaction between individuals thus focusing on their relationship, preference, dominance, or eventual mechanism of behavioural synchronies.