In the False Bay area of the Cape Peninsula, they have been observed scavenging along beaches and rocks and hunting in shallow surf for mullet. The African clawless otter is the most abundant otter species in Africa. Living in Africa, environments can become very hot. Guard hairs cover the body, acting as insulation. It is believed to spend much more time on land than other otters. South Africa, which has an abundant crab population, is home to an estimated 21,500 African clawless otters. All lack claws except for digits 2, 3, and 4 of the hind feet. African claw­less ot­ters are the largest Old World otter species and 3rd largest species of otter over­all. 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. [2] They are characterized by partly webbed and clawless feet, from which their name is derived. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. 73-95 cm. 1. Staying cool means spending time in the water, and using burrows as a way to escape the highest temperatures of the day. African clawless otters have thick, smooth fur with almost silky underbellies. The African clawless otter spends its days swimming and catching food. Free Returns High Quality Printing Fast Shipping. In freshwater habitats, they eat primarily crabs, and they also eat insects, frogs, and various species of fish. 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. On land, they either trot like a seal or walk slowly, sometimes travelling over 7 km between one body of water and another. Weaning takes place after 45 to 60 days old. Cape clawless otters grow to a maximum of 2m (with the tail) in length and can weigh 18kg in weight. It is widely-distributed across South Africa and the second largest freshwater otter species in the world, reaching between 113 and 163 cm in length and weighing between 12 and 21 kg. Extremely sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) are used as sensors in the water to pick up the movements of potential prey. Paws are partially webbed with five fingers, and no opposable thumbs. Logs, branches, and loose foliage greatly appeal to the otter as this provides shelter, shade, and great rolling opportunities. Hybridisation of Asian small-clawed otter females with smooth-coated otter males occurred in Singapore. The Cape clawless otter is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. Common Name: African Clawless Otter Binomial Name: Aonyx capensis Identification: Quite large size.Dark-brown coat (appears black when wet). Territories are marked using a pair of anal glands which secrete a particular scent. Shop African Clawless Otter Dark T-Shirt designed by Wildlife Arts by Roger Hall. These animals are acrobatic, curious and clever, and are perfectly adapted to the aquatic environment in which they live. The diet of Aonyx capensis primarily includes water-dwelling animals, such as crabs, fish, frogs and worms. African (Cape) clawless otter (Aonyx capensis): The African clawless otter is one of four species of otters found in Africa. 1% Group size: 1 – 3 Abundance as of May 2015: 3 individuals . Their sleek, streamlined bodies are perfect for diving and swimming. Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students.ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Decal Size. 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. Otters also have long, slightly flattened tails that move sideways to propel them through the water while their back feet act like rudders to steer. Bronx Zoo zoologist observing Sam, the African clawless otter, soaking in ice water, Wayne, New Jersey, April 1971 Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images The number of crabs in an area determines how many otters live there. The young otters love playing and engage in play-fighting, swimming, playing with food and sliding on rocks, even fetching small pebbles tossed into the water as they sink to the bottom. The African Clawless otters at the Metro Richmond Zoo have a new home! Although it is born with tiny claws it loses these on all toes except the middle three on the hind feet. “We started our study with the idea that this otter was just a larger version of a sea otter or an African clawless otter in terms of chewing ability, that it would just be able to eat much larger things. During the day they sleep in burrows or dens. More aquatic than other otters from Africa, its fully webbed paws have sharp, well-developed claws. Up to 35% off T-shirts, Mugs, Tote bags and More! This species may also be affected in some areas by loss or degradation of its habitat. Surviving mostly in southern Africa, the otters live in areas surrounding permanent bodies of water, usually surrounded by some form of foliage. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. Their sensitive whiskers help them to find food in the water by detecting the movement of aquatic animals. They will use their front feet to extract food hidden under logs or rocks or in the mud. The African clawless otter has been reported as living in family The African Clawless Otter is similar in appearance to the Congo Clawless otter. The African Clawless otter is the third largest species of otter in the world. It is very silky in appearance as well as to the touch. The exhibit is called Otter Cove and is five times the size of the previous home and features a 12,000-gallon pool. 0.25 otter / km of disturbed river (Rowe-Rowe 1992a), 0.8 otter / km of less-disturbed river (Carugati & Perrin 2006) and 0.5 otter / km of coastline (Verwoerd 1987) yields an estimated population size of 30,276 individuals (16,552– 19,377 mature). Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), captive. Other predators would include the crocodile and fish eagles. Its long hairy tail ends in a point and is flattened horizontally. Gestation lasts for about 63 days. Weight: Males +/- 15 kg (33 lbs), females +/- 15 kg (33 lbs) Gestation: 2 months Young: Litters of 2-3 Habitat: Rivers, marshes, dams and lakes; also, dry stream beds if pools of water exist. African clawless otters dry and groom themselves by rolling in grass and rubbing themselves against rocks and soil and basking in the sun. Straight after eating, an otter will clean its face with its forefeet. size: 115-160 cm (body 72-95 cm, tail 40-60 cm) weight: 12-19 kg The third largest species in the world, the African clawless otter ( Aonyx capensis ) is highly versatile and can be found in unpolluted rivers, lakes, dams, swamps and marshes: wherever freshwater crabs, its main food, are present. Adults are 113–163 cm (45–64 in) in length, including their tails that comprised about a third of their length. See Details. African clawless otter. They have very playful personalities, especially once they have eaten. If threatened, a high-pitched scream is emitted to warn neighboring otters and confuse a predator. congicus.[2][4]. 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. Finger-like digits. [5][6] Despite being closely related to the oriental small-clawed otter, the African clawless otter is often twice as massive as that relatively diminutive mustelid. Aonyx specimens will often forage in man-made fisheries and may be hunted or become entangled in nets. 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. Male otters are slightly larger than females on average. Breeding occurs mostly during the dry season, though it may take place at any time of the year. In forested areas, logging may be a major threat, since erosion leads to greatly increased turbidity in rivers which can in turn greatly reduce the populations of fish on which the otters depend. Such habits usually attract crocodiles. Exclusions Apply. It is the third largest species of otter. It is a robust, strong animal; the second-largest freshwater otter species in Africa and the third-largest in the world. African clawless otters are mainly carnivores. Weaning takes place between 45 and 60 days, with the young reaching full maturity around one year of age. Their large skulls are broad and flat, with relatively small orbits and short rostra. The African Clawless Otter is the second largest of all freshwater species. 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. 1. White lips, chin, throat and upper chest. Mating takes place in short periods throughout the rainy season in December. This species is named for its webless front feet. Sometimes otters drown when they become tangled in fishing nets. Each otter is very territorial over its particular range. As predators, they may have an influence on the numbers of their prey species: crabs, fish, frogs, and insects. Otters along the trail are protected, as it falls within the Tsitsikamma National Park. After bouts of hunting they may leave the water to dry off or to play. Aonyx capensis is a member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) and of the order Carnivora. Chestnut in color, they are characterized by white facial markings that extend downward towards their throat and chest areas. African claw­less ot­ters are the largest Old World otter species and 3rd largest species of otter over­all. As the name suggests, these Otters don’t have claws. Its greatest threat comes from the python, which will often lie in wait near or in the water. Fine art decal of an African Clawless Otter. They are also used for balance when walking or sitting upright. front feet are not. Its feet are webbed to enable the best swimming conditions. Inside its short, broad muzzle are relatively small teeth, which are adapted for catching fish instead of the crustaceans that the clawless otters eat. Young are raised solely by the females. Each still having its own range within that territory, they mostly keep to themselves unless seeking a mate. Clawless otters have slender, serpentine bodies with dense, luxuriou… They are independent and reproductively mature from the age of 1 year. 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. The item is printed on a highly durable, reusable material and can be ordered in a variety of custom sizes. Mainly aquatic creatures, their tails are used for locomotion and propel them through the water. Only the giant otter and sea otter are larger. Since the otter lacks an insulating layer of body fat, its only means of warmth is provided by its thick coat of fur. The biggest threat to African clawless otters comes from humans. It is the third largest species of otter. Otters are the only serious swimmers in the weasel family. In 29 of the 35 countries where these otters are present, their populations are stable. The Cape clawless otter, also known as the African clawless otter, is one of two otter species to occur in South Africa. The otter, Siamogale melilutra, weighed about 110 pounds — bigger than any living otter. They are well known for the luxurious hair that they have. 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. Their tail mea­sures 465 mm to 515 mm long and is typ­i­cally stout and ta­pered. SIZE: 1.3 to 1.5m: WEIGHT: Up to 20kg: DIET: Earthworms, frogs, freshwater crabs, mud dwelling fish. As the name suggests, these Otters don’t have claws. They dive for fish, with dives lasting 6 to 49 seconds, with an average of 18 seconds per dive. They return to burrows (holts) for safety, cooling or a rubdown using grasses and leaves. They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas, where they are replaced by the related Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus). SIZE: Length (including tail) 1,3 m, mass 14 kg. Overfishing by humans may reduce the food supply available to otters. Their dense, short fur insulates their bodies when they are swimming, their webbed back feet provide them with power, and their strong tails act as rudders. They spend most of their lives in the water, and they are made for it! It is widely-distributed across South Africa and the second largest freshwater otter species in the world, reaching between 113 and 163 cm in … 6 inch / 15.24 cm 9 inch / 22.86 cm (+$3.00) 12 inch / 30.48 cm (+$7.00) 24 inch / 60.96 cm (+$12.00) 36 inch / 91.44 cm (+$17.00) Silver tips to the end of hairs on the neck and head and dark patches of fur between the eyes and nostrils. This and the fact that young are raised solely by the females may suggest that African clawless otters exhibit a polygynous mating system. Aonyx capensis - The African Clawless Otter. Their head and body length ranges from 762 mm to 880 mm. They are mainly nocturnal in urban areas and lie up during the day in quiet, bushy areas. They are sometimes hunted for their thick, soft pelts, which humans use in forms of clothing. An African clawless otter does most of its hunting in water. Quick in the water and burrowing on land, A. capensis does not have many predators. Ad… 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. The Asian small-clawed otter groups with the African clawless otter and the smooth-coated otter into a sister clade to the genus Lutra. The majority of their time awake is spent swimming, foraging, hunting, playing, and sunbathing. Other information: Only known for along the Timau River on south boundary of Lolldaiga. An African clawless otter is a solitary animal. The diet in marine habitats is mainly fish, but also crab, abalone and Cape rock lobsters. size: 115-160 cm (body 72-95 cm; tail 40-60 cm) weight: 12-19 kg The third largest species in the world, the African clawless otter is highly versatile and can be found from towns, cities and highly polluted rivers to natural freshwater and marine habitats, as long as there is freshwater close-by to wash off the salt. It is the third largest species of otter. Female African Clawless Otters have an average body mass of 12kg (Lariviere 2001). African clawless otters have thick, smooth fur with almost silky underbellies. Using random encounter models, we estimated that the transformed area had the highest density of African clawless otters (8.2 ± 2.3 km−2), compared to otter densities at Verloren Vallei and Cobham Nature Reserve, South Africa, (natural areas) with estimated densities of 0.7 ± 0.2 km−2 and 2.1 ± 0.6 km−2 respectively. Little is known about the mating system of African clawless otters. Dark-brown coat (appears black when wet). The second largest out of all freshwater species, the African clawless otter is well known for its luxurious hair, very silky in appearance and to the touch. Male African Clawless Otters have an average body mass of 13.4kg. 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. This species is most active at dawn and dusk (known as crepuscular). 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. Species: African Clawless, Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter. These animals are acrobatic, curious and clever, and are perfectly adapted to the aquatic environment in which they live. African Clawless Otter Wikipedia article -, 2. Named after their clawless feet, this otter is also known as the Cape Clawless Otter. Weights can range from 10–36 kg (22-80 lbs), with most otters averaging between 12 and 21 kg (26-46 lbs). Breeding Copulation may occur during December, but births have been reported in most months, with a … Females give birth to litters containing two to five young around early spring. They sometimes will eat ducks, geese, coots, swans, mollusks, dragonfly larvae, reptiles, shrews, and small birds. Size: 130 cm: Mass: 10 -18kg: Lifespan: 20 years: Conservation Status: Least Concern: Description. Litters can number 1 to 3 pups, but up to 5 per litter have been known for animals in captivity. This may well be a far greater threat to otters than hunting. Only the giant otter and sea otter are larger. 1990). Tshepiso L Majelantle, Andre Ganswindt, Rowan K Jordaan, David J Slip, Robert Harcourt, Trevor McIntyre, Increased population density and behavioural flexibility of African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) in specific anthropogenic environments, Urban … size: 110-150 cm (body 79-95 cm, tail 50-56 cm) weight: 12-17 kg. African Clawless Otter on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_clawless_otter, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/1793/0. 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