Straight after eating, an otter will clean its face with its forefeet. This and the fact that young are raised solely by the females may suggest that African clawless otters exhibit a polygynous mating system. They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. Although it is born with tiny claws it loses these on all toes except the middle three on the hind feet. From Wikipedia. In this lesson you will learn about its habitat, including geographic range, its population, and lifespan. Sometimes they are killed because people believe that they compete with humans for fish, or because they get the blame for a raid on a fish farm or the death of domestic hens or ducks. African clawless otters are the largest Old World otter species and 3rd largest species of otter overall. They are found in most parts of Africa, but are absent in central Africa. Follow. An African clawless otter is a solitary animal. Adults range in size from 1.15-1.5m (3.8-5ft), and weigh from 16-20kg (35.3-44.1lbs) (Foster-Turley et al. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa. The South African region is famous for its sharks and marine life including otters It was discovered otters had caught the sharks and consumed parts of the body Cape clawless otters … African claw­less ot­ters are the largest Old World otter species and 3rd largest species of otter over­all. 1 - Carnivores, 2009 : Head-Torso-Length: 73 - 88 cm: Tail length: 46,5 - 51,5 cm: Weight: 10 - 21 kg: … They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas. [2] Cape clawless otters are 1 of 4 otter species that lives in both marine and fresh water ecosystems. Their tail mea­sures 465 mm to 515 mm long and is typ­i­cally stout and ta­pered. Hello Select your address Best Sellers Today's Deals New Releases Gift Ideas Electronics Books Customer Service Home Computers Gift Cards Coupons Sell However, that does not mean it is common in any part of its range and the breeding biology and wild behaviour is not well understood. Like other otters, African Clawless Otters like to hang out in areas that will provide them with plenty of water, like the savannah. This species is named for its webless front feet. They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas. They are found in most parts of Africa, but are absent in central Africa. The African Clawless Otter, also known as the Cape Clawless Otter, is one of three in the ‘clawless’ species group. Socialisation. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. The Cape clawless otter, also known as the African READ MORE Their sensitive whiskers help them to find food in the water by detecting the movement of aquatic animals. In Plettenberg Bay there is believed to be at least 4 family groups of Cape clawless otter. Interesting Facts About Cape Clawless Otters. African Clawless Otter Wikipedia article -, 2. The diet in marine habitats is mainly fish, but also crab, abalone and Cape rock lobsters. The African Clawless Otter is the second largest of all freshwater species. All posts. The only area where it is not found is in the Congo basin, which is in Central Africa. Their lives are solitary for the most part, with males and females frequently going separate ways after mating. Photo. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of … No need to register, buy now! An African clawless otter makes complex vocalizations, including grunts, low and high-pitched whistles, squeals, moans and mews, as well as “hah” sounds that are thought to express anxiety. The word aonyx means "clawless", derived from the prefix a- ("without") and onyx ("claw/hoof"). African clawless otter inhabits lakes, streams and rivers in … Often found in freshwater bodies along the coastline, a Cape clawless otter is also known as an African clawless otter or groot otter. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. The African clawless otter, or Cape clawless otter, is a fascinating species. After bouts of hunting they may leave the water to dry off or to play. 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. The African clawless otter lives throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa except the Congo Basin, which is dominated by the Congo clawless otter. The African Clawless Otter are inquisitive, clever and playful animals seldom found far from water. The Spotted-necked Otter can be found at Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, Malawi and Rukwa. Although they are, generally, solitary animals, the African Clawless Otters can sometimes be found in clans of between four and six individuals. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. The African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) has the widest distribution of all the African otters although it is mostly absent in the Congo basin. The conservation body predicts that degradation of the African Clawless Otter’s habitat – and the ensuing conflict for space with humans – will intensify over the decade. Coastal density is estimated at one per two km, and along rivers one per three to ten km. 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. Aonyx capensis (African Clawless Otter) is a species of mammals in the family Mustelidae.It is listed as near threatened by IUCN and in CITES Appendix II.It is associated with freshwater habitat.African Clawless Otter is found in the Afrotropics.It is a solitary omnivore.Individuals are known to live for 132 months and can grow to 19322.22 g. They have very playful personalities, especially once they have eaten. The status of the Congo clawless otter remains a subject of debate, however, with most researchers considering the animal to be a subspecies of the African small-clawed otter (Aonyx capensis) and giving it the taxonomic name A. capensis congicus.Others claim that the Congo clawless otter is a valid…. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) is a type of otter. They dive for fish, with dives lasting 6 to 49 seconds, with an average of 18 seconds per dive. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. African clawless otters are mainly carnivores. Males are slightly heavier and longer than females. African clawless otter (Cape clawless otter)** Aonyx capensis** (SCHINZ, 1821) Photo by: F. Spangenberg : Additional images here: www.biolib.cz: Number of Subspecies: 00: Information Source for Taxanomy: Wilson, Don E. / Mittermeier, Russell A. HANDBOOK OF THE MAMMALS OF THE WORLD; Vol. It is a freshwater and intertidal dweller of Africa. An African clawless otter is a solitary animal. It is not every day that one gets to glimpse the elusive Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) as it goes about its daily life within many of South Africa’s freshwater systems. This species is most active at dawn and dusk (known as crepuscular). It is also the second-largest type of otter that live in freshwater. With the help of over 7,000 of the world’s best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, Arkive.org featured multi-media fact-files for more than 16,000 endangered species. The diet of a Cape Clawless Otter mainly consists of mollusks, fish, birds, eggs, amphibians and reptiles. An African clawless otter does most of its hunting in water. Text. This species inhabits a wide variety of freshwater habitats, such as streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries, as well as marine habitats, including rocky seashores, as long as freshwater can be accessed, which is essential for washing and drinking. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. African Clawless Otter is common living in rivers and streams but has declined over the years from Lake Victoria due to changes in fish populations. With the help of over 7,000 of the world’s best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, Arkive.org featured multi-media fact-files for more than 16,000 endangered species. Grid View List View. They have also been seen eating snakes, birds, frogs and insects. The IUCN classifies the species as Near Threatened and Decreasing. Their tail measures 465 mm to 515 mm long and is typically stout and tapered. Coupled with poaching, the decline of water bodies through water use, pollution, draining and climate change impacts is piling pressure on these swimmers. Coastal density is estimated at one per two km, and along rivers one per three to ten km. Read More The African Clawless Otter is the second biggest otter in the freshwater otter family. Discover How Long African clawless otter Lives. This is supported by a recent study on spraint analysis on the diet of the African clawless otter in the study area, which revealed 85% of fish as opposed to 33% crabs. The African Clawless Otter is primarily aquatic, and is found near water bodies that are permanent to the region. Species: African Clawless, Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter. The most likely population estimate ranges from 21,500 to 30,276 individuals, of which 11,825–19,377 can be considered Unfollow . 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. It is not every day that one gets to glimpse the elusive Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) as it goes about its daily life within many of South Africa’s freshwater systems. All three species present. Little is known about the mating system of African clawless otters. The African Clawless Otter hunts day and night and, while it does favour an aquatic environment, it eats prey from both the land and water. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. They have a head that is larger than the other species of Otters which is a distinguishing characteristic when you see them in photos or books. Diet. Little is known about this otter, which is the least studied of the African species. This species is most active at dawn and dusk (known as crepuscular). African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. Patrick Benade Assessment Rationale Cape Clawless Otters are widespread, but patchily distributed, within the assessment region. African clawless otter < > Most recent. It is very silky in appearance as well as to the touch. On land, they either trot like a seal or walk slowly, sometimes travelling over 7 km between one body of water and another. It is very silky in appearance as well as to the touch. They are well known for the luxurious hair that they have. The African Clawless Otter, also known as the Cape Clawless Otter, is one of three in the ‘clawless’ species group. Most popular Most recent. Threats: Killed for food. Unfollow. They are also slightly larger than its close relative, the Congo clawless Otter.Their diet consists mainly crabs, frogs and fish. Filter by post type. Individuals typically weigh 10-21 kilograms, with bodies 1.2 to 1.5 metres long covered in brown-and-grey fur and capped by long, stout tails. Legal protection: Protected in Nature Reserves. Like other otters, African Clawless Otters like to hang out in areas that will provide them with plenty of water, like the savannah. Key Information: This is the smallest of the world’s otters, about 0.9 m long, weighing around 5 kg. Common menu items include crabs, fish, rodents, amphibians and even birds. The African clawless otter is Africa’s most widely distributed otter, from Senegal, through most parts of West Africa as far as Ethiopia, and in the south to South Africa. They are the least aquatic of all otters. African Clawless Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_clawless_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/1793/0. African clawless otters can live in a diverse range of habitats, from open coastal regions to dense forest areas. The majority of their time awake is spent swimming, foraging, hunting, playing, and sunbathing. It does spend a lot of time in the water, … by Ishani Chetty 25-06-2020 11:18 In fact, it can be found in nearly every country across the African continent, including Southern, Eastern, and Western countries. These otters sport long whiskers on their white-to-cream faces and run on short, clawless feet with no webbing. Raven, raccoon, African clawless otter, Chinese water deer, Persian cat, Nile crocodile. Their head and body length ranges from 762 mm to 880 mm. These otters belong to the Mustelid family, which includes carnivores such as weasels and badgers. 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. The most likely population estimate ranges from 21,500 to 30,276 individuals, of which 11,825–19,377 can be considered mature (using 55–64% mature structure). They are well known for the luxurious hair that they have. As you might expect, the African clawless otter lives in Africa. Follow. These otters have a bigger body-to-brain ratio than all other carnivores in southern Africa, which could be the reason for their cleverness and dexterity. Like other clawless otters, this carnivorous species relies on nimble, delicate hands to hunt their prey – typically crabs, fish, insects and frogs. This article needs additional citations for verification. African clawless otter is a mammal that belongs to the weasel family. Aonyx is a genus of otters, containing three species, the African clawless otter, the Congo clawless otter, and the Asian small-clawed otter.The word aonyx means "clawless", derived from the prefix a-("without") and onyx ("claw/hoof"). Such habits usually attract crocodiles. A local free diver captured a rare incident earlier this month of a Cape clawless otter feeding on a puff adder and dark shysharks. Development, deforestation, overgrazing, wetlands being drained, and water extraction all impact negatively on the quality of the aquatic habitat and surrounding vegetation on which these animals depend. It is the third largest species of otter. Aonyx is the older name, so the Asian small-clawed otter is now Aonyx cinereus. 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. Ask. Although usually found in water, these otters can also travel long distances overland. Dry season, though it may take place at any time of the African clawless otters can live in diverse... 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