Zoo Miami river otter pups growing fast, still behind the scenes

MIAMI – Three North American stream otter pups astatine Zoo Miami are increasing rapidly and thriving nether the attraction of their mother, Zinnia, according to Ron Magill, the zoo’s communications director.

Born connected Feb. 12, the 1 antheral and 2 pistillate pups each present measurement betwixt 3.5 and 4 pounds — a large leap from their commencement weights of little than fractional a pound.

Magill stated successful a quality merchandise Friday that the pups precocious received distemper vaccinations and were microchipped for recognition during little wellness exams by the Animal Health and Animal Science teams.

“All indications are that the pups are steadfast and are continuing to make well,” the quality merchandise stated.

Zinnia, a 7-year-old otter who came to Zoo Miami successful 2019 from Roger Williams Park Zoo successful Rhode Island, continues to rise the pups down the scenes.

Magill said they’re not yet connected nationalist show but are expected to determination into the situation successful the adjacent future.

According to Zoo Miami, the father, a 9-year-old named Edison, was rescued arsenic an orphan and hand-raised by Wild Florida earlier arriving astatine Zoo Miami successful 2016.

They said helium remains abstracted from Zinnia and the pups — a earthy behavior, arsenic antheral otters don’t typically assistance rear young successful the chaotic — but tin inactive beryllium seen regular successful his habitat.

North American stream otters are known for their playful quality and adaptability to a wide scope of freshwater habitats, Magill said.

He said they typically turn to 3–4 feet successful length, including their tails, and measurement 12–25 pounds, with males somewhat larger than females.

Though erstwhile threatened by trapping, today, their top risks are situation nonaccomplishment and pollution. Under quality care, they tin unrecorded up to 20 years — treble their mean lifespan successful the wild, according to Zoo Miami officials.

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