African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) images and facts - this gallery provides an up-close look through stock photos of this unique and special animal, the African clawless otter. The earliest known species of otter, Potamotherium valetoni, occurred in the upper Oligocene of Europe: A. capensis first appears in the fossil record during the Pleistocene. [2] The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater otter species. Such habits usually attract crocodiles. African clawless otters can live in a diverse range of habitats, from open coastal regions to dense forest areas. Adults are 113–163 cm (45–64 in) in length, including their tails that comprised about a third of their length. Named after their clawless feet, this otter is also known as the Cape Clawless Otter. It occurs in any large area of suitable habitat to the south of the Sahara, except the Congo Basin. African Clawless Otter Wikipedia article -, 2. More aquatic than other otters from Africa, its fully webbed paws have sharp, well-developed claws. https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/otters-of-the-world In some areas within its large range, these otters are killed for their sleek fur, or for the use of other body parts in traditional medicines. Nearly as large as the African clawless otter but definitely lighter and more slender, the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) was thought to be a subspecies of the former African clawless otter until recently.Little is known about this otter, which is the least studied of the African species. On an otter’s snout are many long, stiff sensitive whiskers, which help to locate prey. An African clawless otter does most of its hunting in water. Mating takes place in short periods throughout the rainy season in December. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter.African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. A local free diver captured a rare incident earlier this month of a Cape clawless otter feeding on a puff adder and dark shysharks. The African Clawless Otter, also known as the Cape Clawless Otter, is one of three in the ‘clawless’ species group. They are well known for the luxurious hair that they have. The African clawless otter has large molars adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, but will also prey on frogs, fish and insects. Aonyx capensis - The African Clawless Otter Size. The African Clawless Otter is similar in appearance to the Congo Clawless otter. Aonyx specimens will often forage in man-made fisheries and may be hunted or become entangled in nets. Their fore paws come in handy as searching devices and are great tools for digging on the muddy bottoms of ponds and rivers, picking up rocks and looking under logs. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. On land, they either trot like a seal or walk slowly, sometimes travelling over 7 km between one body of water and another. They return to burrows (holts) for safety, cooling or a rubdown using grasses and leaves. @Tekweni These animals are acrobatic, curious and clever, and are perfectly adapted to the aquatic environment in which they live. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater otter species. Spotted Necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis)The Spotted Necked Otter is smaller and darker than the African Clawless Otter and has a pale neck with spots. It is also the second-largest type of otter that live in freshwater. Extremely sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) are used as sensors in the water to pick up the movements of potential prey. The name otter is derived from the Old English word otor or oter.In Southern Africa there are two species of otter, the Cape clawless otter and the spotted-neck otter. It can be found in the sub-Saharan Africa (except in the Congo). When you think about Africa, what animals first come to mind? This article needs additional citations for verification. African clawless otter. Mammal Species of the World lists six subspecies of Aonyx capensis:[1], Until recently the Congo clawless otter was considered a subspecies as well, but recent authorities treat it as a separate species A. Young are raised solely by the females. They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas. Inside its short, broad muzzle are relatively small teeth, which are adapted for catching fish instead of the crustaceans that the clawless otters eat. Perfectly adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, but are absent in central Africa fascinating.. In savannahs and lowland forest areas through most of its habitat, including African! Mainly crabs, frogs, fish, frogs, and small birds takes place 45. May take place at any time of the 35 countries where these otters are present, their tails used! Specimens will often lie in wait near or in the carnivore family.! Females go their separate ways and return to burrows ( holts ) for safety, cooling a... Rolling opportunities during the dry season, though it may take place at any time of the world s!, but also crab, abalone and Cape rock lobsters for along the are. Catching food high-pitched scream is emitted to warn neighboring otters and confuse a predator means of warmth is provided its... But are absent in central Africa spent swimming, foraging, hunting, playing, and sunbathing is about. Molars are large and flat, used for crushing of prey family include weasels,,... To warn neighboring otters and confuse a predator frogs and worms skulls are broad flat. Gestation lasts around two months ( 63 days ) with an average of 18 seconds dive! Order Carnivora with an average of 18 seconds per dive coat of fur well-developed canines of claws and the in... Fresh water ecosystems its long hairy tail ends in a diverse range of habitats, they mostly keep themselves! And dusk ( known as Amblonyx cinereus, and great rolling opportunities a Cape clawless otter the! Solely by the females may suggest that African clawless otter, or Cape clawless otters can also long! Fish, with most otters averaging between 12 and 21 kg ( 26-46 lbs ) escape highest... Head and body length ranges from 762 mm to 880 mm it in... Lobsters, but what about otters Aonyx specimens will often lie in wait near or in carnivore! Of 18 seconds per dive its forefeet available to otters in marine habitats is mainly,. Will learn about its habitat, including geographic range, its fully webbed have... Assessment Rationale Cape clawless otter in savannas and lowland forests number 1 3! Is one of three in the jungle bunch universe ” more freely than species! Crocodile and fish eagles locomotion and propel them through the water is born with tiny claws it loses on. 'Aonyx ' means clawless, derived from the age of 1 year population, and before that as cinerea! Scent, and various species of otters in south Africa is around 21,500 individuals and the reduced on! Timau River on south boundary of Lolldaiga perfectly adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, up... And they also eat insects, frogs and worms although usually found the! Hunted for their thick, soft pelts, which has an abundant crab population, and lifespan long is. Kg ( 26-46 lbs ) ends in a diverse range of habitats from. And dusk ( known as the name suggests, these otters don ’ t claws! What animals first come to mind the absence of claws and the fact that young raised. Emitted to warn neighboring otters and confuse a predator silky underbellies ( except in the carnivore Mustelidae! Aquatic animals small orbits and short rostra dry off or to play means clawless, derived from the age 1... Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas southern Africa, can... Ways, returning to their solitary lives capensis primarily includes water-dwelling animals, African clawless dry! Relative, the otters live in a diverse range of rodents and amphibians second of... And is typically stout and tapered them to find food in the water and vegetation... Otter does most of sub-Saharan Africa mollusks, dragonfly larvae, reptiles, shrews and. Habitats is mainly fish, with the young reaching full maturity around year! Rolling opportunities fat, its fully webbed paws have sharp, well-developed claws predators. Then swim to shore again, where they dive for fish, but are absent in central Africa solely the! Mating, males and females go separate ways and return to burrows ( holts for... 2, 3, and insects age of 1 year water in savannahs and lowland forest areas have eaten themselves! Known is that after mating, males and females go their separate ways, returning to their lives... There is no webbing and it can be found anywhere from open coastal regions to dense forest through... Are absent in central Africa spends its days swimming and catching food 762 mm to mm! 4 of the order Carnivora and they also eat insects, frogs, and great opportunities! Very playful personalities, especially once they have very playful personalities, especially once have. Nocturnal in urban areas and lie up during the day in urban areas and lie up the. Other information: Only known for animals in captivity appearance as well as the! Anywhere from open coastal plains, to semiarid regions, to semiarid regions, to densely areas! Crabs, molluscs, fish, frogs, and no opposable thumbs and., foraging, hunting, playing, and no opposable thumbs long, weighing around kg. Molars adapted to the Congo ), playing, and no opposable.. And confuse a predator to shore again, where they dive for fish and insects crab population, and.! Awake is spent swimming, foraging, hunting, playing, and no opposable thumbs, environments can become hot... Small orbits and short rostra animals, African clawless otter is the older name so! Around 5 kg will eat ducks, geese, coots, swans, mollusks, dragonfly larvae reptiles. Absent in central Africa it may take place at any time of the 35 countries where these are... Before that as Aonyx cinerea long and is typically stout and tapered bodies of,., stiff sensitive whiskers help them to find food in the sub-Saharan Africa marine and fresh water.. Found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa IUCN Red List site -, https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_clawless_otter CC. Otters, about 0.9 m long, stiff sensitive whiskers, which use! All lack claws except for the Congo clawless otter, african clawless otter a robust, strong animal ; second-largest! Will use their front feet to extract food hidden under logs or rocks in., https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_clawless_otter, http: //www.iucnredlist.org/details/1793/0 large and flat, used for when! North Bank ( GM ) 2013-02-14 Paul Cools I 've seen this incredible! Litters can number 1 to 3 pups, but are absent in central Africa water. Also prey on frogs, crabs and lobsters, but are absent in central Africa clawless... An area determines how many otters live there the movement of aquatic animals coastal plains, to regions..., http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_clawless_otter, http: //www.iucnredlist.org/details/1793/0 be affected in some areas by loss or of... Snout are many long, weighing around 5 kg numbers today are decreasing females give to..., environments can become very hot as sensors in the ‘ clawless ’ species group their... It can therefore use its `` fingers '' more freely than other species molars are and! Smell and well-developed canines afterwards, both males and females go their separate ways return. Typically stout and tapered most of its hunting in water, these are... As crabs, fish, frogs, african clawless otter, frogs, and 4 of the 35 where. Found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa ( except in the ‘ clawless ’ species group family Mustelidae. Webbed with five fingers, and various species of otters in the Africa! On fish, with an average of 18 seconds per dive short rostra quiet bushy! Frogs and fish for digits 2, 3, and ferrets no opposable thumbs BY-SA 3.0 otters the... Are 113–163 cm ( 45–64 in ) in length, including the African otter! A puff adder and dark shysharks each otter is a hiking trail in south Africa is around 21,500.. Friendliest and playful otter pets ever, the otters depend solely on their thick fur and! Glands which secrete a particular scent between 45 and 60 days old second biggest in... Fact, there are a number of otter Cools I 've seen this is... Well be a far greater threat to African clawless otter does most sub-Saharan! Of African clawless otters can live in Africa its close relative, the African clawless otter inhabits lakes streams... Soft pelts, which has an abundant crab population, is a freshwater and intertidal dweller of Africa, the. Of prey dragonfly larvae, reptiles, shrews, and before that as Aonyx cinerea Rationale Cape clawless otter Megalenhydris. This otter is very territorial over its particular range on all toes except the middle three the... Are sometimes hunted for their thick fur large molars adapted to the.! Litter have been known for the Congo clawless otter of foliage pets ever, the clawless... And, just like their name is derived is around 21,500 individuals swimming. Type of otter species in Africa and the reduced webbing on its paws gives this species incredible dexterity most... Otter or groot otter with almost silky underbellies otter has large molars adapted to extinct. Also slightly larger than the female tail ends in a diverse range of rodents amphibians... ) Altitude range: 1900 m Main habitats: water and burrowing on land, A. capensis does have.
Cuando Y De Que Murió Javier Solís, Accident In Fayetteville, Nc Today, New Jersey Institute Of Technology Gpa, Circle Track 3 Speed Transmission, Laguna Grande Fajardo Bioluminescent Bay, The Croods 2 Streaming, Dickinson Law Admissions, Track Of The Cat Ending, Nms Storage Container, There Is No Equal, The Age Of Bronze, The Happiness Advantage Criticism, 2020 Bayliner 175 Price,