IndexAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionAbstractIt is important to study how animals use their enclosures to know how to better design healthier and more effective exhibits. This study attempted to determine whether otters in the Lost Forest mixed-species exhibit at the San Diego Zoo used one area of ​​their enclosure more than others. It was reported that two otters were kept in the exhibit, but only one was observed during the study. It was also found that the otter was prevented from using areas 1, 2 and 3. The otter was also sometimes prevented from moving between areas 4 and 5. This study was unable to reach a conclusion on preference of otters for habitat use. The need to study and understand how otters use their enclosures is still an important issue in the long-term care of otters in captivity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay IntroductionThe spotted-necked otter (SNO) (Hydrictis maculicollis) is a member of the mustelid family and is found throughout central and parts of southern eastern Africa. They are a little more aquatic than many other river otter species, but they are still land animals that use water to feed, move, and play. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists SNO as Near Threatened. The main threats to SNO come from a rapidly increasing human population (Rowe-Rowe 2000). Urban sprawl leads to habitat loss and industrial pollution. There is a growing demand to produce food and grow cash crops. Every year more natural habitat is destroyed. Overgrazing is also a serious concern, resulting in increased water runoff, soil loss and siltation of waterways. The impact of global climate change across Africa (Hendrix and Glaser 2007) also has the potential to reduce suitable habitat for otters and increase human/otter conflict over increasingly scarce resources such as water, land and fish . Both this decrease in suitable habitat and the increase in human/otter conflict are currently occurring and will surely increase over the next three generations. In the wild, otters spend more time resting than active (58% to 42%, respectively) (Perrin 2000), so facilities must provide comfortable, safe places to rest with minimal disturbance, both from hosts and other species. Otters have been held in captivity for many decades now, although not as long as many other species. of animals. There has been much research into the health and husbandry of otters in captivity, as well as non-structural environmental enrichments such as toys and food placement, but little into their actual use of exhibits. Knowing how an otter spends its time can provide insight into how future enclosures should be designed. Enclosures should have a soil to water ratio of 5:1. Surfaces should be as natural as possible and include wood chips, dirt, sand and rock. Surfaces such as concrete should be used as little as possible. Otters need to have large places where they can rest and dry, with the option of shade or sun, as well as protection from rain. There also needs to be variety in the design of water features, with different shapes and depths and faster or slower moving water to provide diversity. Since SNO likes waterfalls, islands and mud slides, lots of themof these characteristics should be included as much as is practicable. Enclosure complexity and an adequate land/water ratio are important to maintaining a safe physical and psychological environment for otters. It is also essential to provide areas where otters can dry their fur completely. Providing more dry, loose substrates such as mulch, sand and soil allows for proper grooming and a healthy coat. CareYou should change the substrate often so that they do not become excessively dirty and remain an attractive choice for grooming. Spotted-necked otters do well in some mixed-species exhibits, as long as care has been taken to address the unique challenges these groupings offer. When attempting mixed-species displays, care must be taken to ensure that all animals are compatible and have access to all display features necessary to meet their needs; this includes food, enrichment items, and water. Otters enjoy burrowing, climbing, rubbing their bodies on substrates or furnishings, exploring exhibit features, swimming, playing, and interacting with other species (care must be taken that these interactions do not become aggressive). An exposure that provides these stimuli will best ensure healthy otters. Fifty years ago recommendations were made outlining the need for large, complex land areas and other key features to ensure high levels of otter welfare, which many ex situ facilities, such as zoos, have now adopted aquariums and rehabilitation facilities . The increased welfare of otters in captivity is due partly to improved environmental conditions, such as better habitat design, and partly to a better understanding of the nutritional and health needs of otters. The ability to role/rub on various surfaces is behaviorally important for maintaining a healthy coat. Otters also like to dig and poke around, and the health of their feet can be affected by constantly damp or wet surfaces. Adequate display dimensions. Too often otters are seen as small animals and therefore kept in small spaces. Zoos and aquariums have steadily improved the health of otters over the years. In part this is due to improved environmental conditions. A new direction in habitat design is currently being promoted, suggesting a step towards giving animals greater choice and control over their environment through concepts such as "rotating exhibits" and "raceway networks." If these concepts are applied to otters in the future, particularly by allowing them to move between compatible species exhibits, overall welfare could be improved through an extension of their ability to choose where to go, an increase in their daily travel abilities, an increase of their living space complexity, provide opportunities for group members to band together by stimulating bored otters through enhanced foraging. Creating concrete, documented activity budgets for individual otters is a first step. A good second step would be to evaluate enclosure use patterns for each animal by mapping where and how long each otter spends its time. Methods The Lost Forest exhibit is a Y-shaped enclosure with arms opening to the north and west, a walkway that passes over the intersection in the center, and a rounded area to the southwest that houses the monkeys. This can easily be divided into five areas of the enclosure where the location of the otters will be plotted. Area 1: Starting from the end of the left arm, as seen from the Y intersection, there is an elevated section with a deep pool and a.