Three North American river otter pups at Zoo Miami are experiencing rapid growth and are flourishing under the diligent care of their mother, Zinnia. Born on February 12, the pups—comprising one male and two females—now each weigh between 3.5 and 4 pounds, a significant increase from their initial birth weights of less than half a pound.
Recently, the otter pups underwent distemper vaccinations and received microchips for identification purposes during brief health examinations conducted by the Animal Health and Animal Science teams. Current assessments indicate that the pups are healthy and progressing well in their development.
Zinnia, a 7-year-old otter who joined Zoo Miami in 2019 from Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island, continues to nurture her offspring away from public view. However, plans are underway for the pups to be introduced to their public habitat soon.
The pups’ father, Edison, a 9-year-old otter rescued as an orphan and reared by Wild Florida before his arrival at Zoo Miami in 2016, remains apart from Zinnia and the pups. This separation aligns with typical otter behavior, as male otters do not usually participate in rearing the young in the wild. Visitors can still observe Edison daily in his designated habitat.
North American river otters are renowned for their playful demeanor and ability to adapt to various freshwater environments. They typically reach lengths of 3 to 4 feet, including their tails, and weigh between 12 and 25 pounds, with males generally being larger than females. Although historically threatened by trapping, the primary dangers they face today are habitat loss and pollution. Under human care, these otters can live up to 20 years, which is twice their average lifespan in the wild.