Pepper is now the proud mom of Ginger. Just over a month-old, the baby otter is charming visitors to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, as proud dad Tiny watches over her. Now weighing just over 500 gm, Gingers front tooth has started to appear and she is expected to make her first swim on March 31.

Visitors to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo now have the unprecedented opportunity to watch Ginger and the specialist staff feed and nurse her every day until April 10 from 2.30 PM.

Pepper was introduced to the Asian Small Clawed Otter exhibit in September 2014 with four males. All the boys started to show courtship behaviour but she immediately hit it off with Tiny, the most playful among the boys. In less than six months, Ginger was born.

Tiny and Pepper now take responsibility of raising the pup. The Dam (mummy) will be nursing - providing milk to the new-born - while the Sire (daddy) bears the responsibility of providing food and protecting the family and their home.

This will continue until Ginger can swim on her own and catch her own food. The baby gets the source of nutrition in the form of milk for approximately 50 days where the parents will begin to wean her off by introducing solid food. The parents will guide Ginger through all the stages and especially for the first swims which will happen when the pup reaches eight weeks of age.

Visitors to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo can also watch King Croc, one of the largest reptiles in the world and a rare natural phenomenon, and his companion preparing for parenthood. Queen Croc has laid 59 eggs, several of which are ready to hatch over the incubation of period of 80 days. Visitors who opt for a back-of-the-house tour can watch the eggs being incubated at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo laboratory.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, managed by Emaar Retail LLC, features a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. Underwater Zoo, located on Level 2 above the main aquarium tank, presents the bio-diversity in different ecological zones including Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean.

For further information: visit www.thedubaiaquarium.com or call: 04 448 5200.