Smooth-coated Otter exhibit, Rare Species Conservation Centre, Sandwich

This exhibit is inside the tropical hall.

What is under the gunnera plant , some sort of model animals ?

Congrats. on a superb portfolio of photos .

That looks like the other otter scratching itself with it's back leg.

Is there an outdoor enclosure?

No there isn't, but this enclosure was decent.

i can see the dreaded hotwire

Haha. Hotwire is fine, providing it isn't shielding plants

I mentioned this in the RSCC thread, but I don't know if it's been mentioned previously but the RSCC's twitter feed (official?) says they have observed the Otters mating.

Rare Species Zoo (RareSpeciesCC) on Twitter

"Have seen what appears to be mating behavior between our Smooth-Coated Otters. Hopefully they breed this season!

4:57 PM Jun 14th from Nambu"

Hotwire is not necessarily 'fine', as some studies have suggested with some species that they are so aware of the proximity of hotwire that they avoid play-fighting or other behaviours within certain distances of the perimeter. Now we cannot possibly know of how the Smooth-coated otter responds behaviourally, or really have any useful reference point for model behaviour for captive individuals of this species, but it is worth bearing in mind that the restrictive nature of hotwire does not not just come from cominng into direct contact with it, and that its presence has the capacity to modify behaviours and use of enclosure space.

It's good that they have been mating, hopefully there are some appropriate cubbing facilities and potential separation enclosure should the male be aggressive.....

They do go near it, just avoid touching it, so it is "Fine".