The Otter Is The Newest Fashion Pet, But Adopting It Can Be Very Dangerous

The desire to possess what is beautiful is the most normal thing in the world. Nothing is more common than wanting to buy a painting when we go to an exhibition, or adopting an abandoned puppy. However, this logic cannot be applied to all cases. When purchasing a new object or a new animal, it is important to reflect a little on aspects that go beyond our personal satisfaction and to look at the way our actions can affect our surroundings.

Today the awesome.club brings some details about a recent fashion that put otters as protagonists. Many people are adopting these animals as pets, putting the lives of these beautiful and exotic animals at risk.

Recently, otter adoption has become a trend in many countries, especially Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. In these countries, people not only adopt these animals, but also take them to public places so that others can play with them. In cafes it is very common to see people selling otters.

This fashion has become so popular that many people are adopting small-clawed otters, smaller animals with a more delicate face. Although they are very beautiful, cuddly and with bright eyes, they should not be raised indoors.

Some studies claim that the need to acquire an exotic animal as a pet, such as the otter, is due to a desire for consumption created by the media. Sometimes, seeing a famous person with an exotic animal, or discovering a trend on social media, makes us want to be part of the same movement. However, as with fashion, sooner or later the object of desire is replaced by another and it is in this case that we realize that we have done something wrong, even if that was not our initial intention.

Having an animal like the otter at home is not the same as raising a dog or a cat. She wasn’t born to be raised indoors. Tom Taylor, program director Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, responsible for saving wild animals, highlighted that otters are animals used to living with others of the same species, in groups of up to 15 members.

Therefore, a house with few people greatly affects their behavior, as does the fact that otters are very water-loving animals; that is, they need to adapt to a much lower frequency of baths, which depends exclusively on their owner.

In addition, otters have very sharp teeth and show aggressive behavior when jealous, which can happen at any time of year. Another worrying aspect is the fact that your diet requires some special care that not everyone is willing to understand and respect. All this ends up influencing the animal’s willingness to breed, which, in the medium and long term, can pose a danger to the species.

This beautiful animal can be found in different parts of the world; otters love river, sea and lake water. They tend to prefer salt water, but can be found in fresh water.

They live in groups of at least 10 animals and like cool temperatures — they have a thick coat and are almost always warm-skinned. They live in burrows that they build themselves close to the water and which they willingly protect from invaders.

According to a report by the traffic, the high demand for the animal has greatly increased its illegal trade. Hunters steal the cubs and take them to Asian countries such as Japan and Thailand. It is said that this business moves millions of dollars a year and has increasingly affected the species.

While keeping an otter as a pet is not recommended, it is not impossible. There are cases where they are educated to live in captivity and can adapt.

Although there are organizations that fight for the laws that fight the illegal animal trade to be regularized, nowadays there are many websites where animals can be bought “legally”. The purchase is only allowed in certain countries and with a special authorization.

Another important point is in relation to the space and needs of the animal. People who have otters at home know that they are animals that don’t smell very good and that’s why the house needs to be cleaned constantly.

What is your opinion about this new fashion? Do you think the authorities should allow the adoption of some exotic animals or do you think it is important that there is a general ban? Share your opinion in the comments.