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Recently celebrating their one month birthday (born on Feb. 5), Zoo Miami’s North American river otter babies received their first official neonatal exam.
The two males and one female were weighed, had their oral cavities examined, hearts listened to, temperatures taken, and abdomens palpated for any abnormalities. They also were carefully checked for any skin anomalies or abrasions. Each individual had a small area of hair shaved to facilitate identification from a distance.
The pups were ideal patients, and appear to be thriving. Though their eyes had not yet opened, they have excellent weight and are being very well taken care of by first-time mother, 3-year-old Zinnia. From the initial weights taken shortly after birth that ranged from 136-148 grams, the have more than quadrupled in size and now weigh between 630 and 680 grams.
As part of a carefully managed preventative medicine program, when the pups are 12 weeks old, they will receive their vaccinations as well as have their blood collected.
They are presently still being secluded with their mother in an off-exhibit area until they open their eyes and are able to swim.
