Question

Otters are found in large numbers in the marshes (i.e. wet areas near lakes, rivers or seas) near Basra, a town in Iraq. Imagine you wanted to bring an otter from Iraq to London, as a pet. What special arrangements would you need to make for your pet otter? You would need to find a place with lots of water, for example. What other points should you think about? The information about Iraq and London given below may help you.

Iraq

London

Iraq has mostly broad plains and marshes along the Iranian border in the south, with large flooded areas. A large part of Iraq’s land area is desert, so it has cool winters and dry, hot and cloudless summers. The mountain areas near Iran and Turkey have cold winters. There is heavy snowfall there, and when the snow melts in spring, it causes floods in central and southern Iraq.

London has a large population and is a very busy city. In addition to multistoreyed buildings, however, it has many open spaces or parks. It has a temperate climate (i.e. it is neither very hot, nor very cold), with regular but generally light rainfall or snow throughout the year. The warmest month is July, and the coolest month is January. February is the driest month. Snow is not very common in London.

Answer 1

• Customised Habitat: Since otters thrive in marshes, you must provide a large, clean water feature (like a pond or a specialised indoor pool) where they can swim and hunt for fish. A standard garden would not be enough.
• Climate Adaptation: Iraq is often hot and dry, while London has a temperate climate. You would need to provide a warm, sheltered living space to protect the otter from London’s chilly winters and damp weather.
• Specialised Diet: An otter’s diet consists primarily of fresh fish, crustaceans, and amphibians. You would need a reliable, daily supply of fresh, high-quality seafood to keep it healthy.
• Space and Freedom: Otters are active and playful. In a busy, populated city like London, you would need to secure a private, fenced-in area with plenty of space for the otter to roam and play without the risk of it escaping into the city streets.
• Legal and Veterinary Care: You would need to research the legal requirements for keeping an exotic animal in the UK. Additionally, you must find a specialised veterinarian experienced with aquatic mammals to handle their vaccinations and health check-ups.
• Constant Supervision: Unlike a dog or cat, an otter is a wild animal. It would require constant, expert supervision to ensure it doesn’t get into trouble or become distressed in an urban environment.