CONTACT: Jennifer Diliberti DATE: March 29, 2022

PHONE: 414.256.5411 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A SECOND LITTER OF
NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTERS
BORN AT THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO!

MILWAUKEE, WI—It’s official, the Milwaukee County Zoo now has a romp (a group

of otters is called a “romp”) of North American river otters!

One of the Zoo’s female otters, 5-year-old Clover, and male otter, Larkey, also 5 years

old, are parents to three otter pups, born February 26. Two male and one female pup are the first

litter for Clover, and animal care staff report parents and pups are doing well!

Visitors may remember the Zoo’s other adult female otter, Shamrock, gave birth to four

pups February 7. Larkey is father to this litter (of four) as well.

As a first-time mom, Clover is “super protective” of her pups and usually keeps them

hidden under her, according to her keepers. She doesn’t separate easily from the pups,

sometimes even choosing to stay close to them instead of eating! As a result, keepers work with

Clover on her time, and if she chooses to separate from the pups, they use the opportunity for

brief exams and weights. So far, keepers have been able to record weights twice per week. At

about 3 weeks old, each of the pups weighed between 600-700 grams.
Clover’s Litter March 2022
Add one

By comparison, Shamrock’s pups now weigh over 1,000 grams, and they’re nursing and

keeping mom busy (and hungry)!

Animal care staff report Clover’s pups are nursing and right on schedule with weights

and development. They gain weight each time they’re weighed.

Clover and her pups are in an indoor holding area, with Larkey in the outdoor habitat.

Keepers gave Clover soft, natural bedding material so she can make warm and comfortable nests

for herself and the pups. She likes to experiment by moving the nests and the pups to different

areas. Right now, she doesn’t seem to have settled on one area for her and the pups to stay for

longer periods of time. Keepers think Clover simply chooses the area and nest that are most

comfortable for the pups.

The pups should be fully weaned at 3-4 months. In 42-56 days, they’ll begin eating fish

that keepers will “mash” for them, or fish that Clover drops from her mouth! North American

river otter pups are born with their eyes closed, and they’ll remain closed for about 1 month.

As the pups continue to grow and mature, they’ll begin to “squirm” and “belly crawl” in

the holding areas. It’s expected the pups will learn how to swim from mom, at about 1 ½ months

old. They will walk first, and then learn how to swim in the indoor pool.

(more)
Clover’s Litter March 2022
Add one

The pups marked their 1-month birthday March 26, and mom and the pups, who have yet

to be named, will remain off-exhibit for the next few months. Animal care staff are keeping a

watchful eye on them, and the Zoo will regularly update visitors on their progress.

( ### )