It has crepuscular habits and can hunt in very murky water thanks to its long and sensitive whiskers. L. maculicollis showed greater trophic plasticity in different habitats and exhibited a wider trophic niche than A. capensis. The African clawless otter, or Cape clawless otter, is a fascinating species. Common menu items include crabs, fish, rodents, amphibians and even birds. Chat. Otters groom and dry themselves by rolling in the grass and rubbing against rocks and the soil, habits that attract crocodiles. As the name suggests, these Otters don’t have claws. 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 otters will forage in man-made fisheries and are therefore hunted and at risk of becoming entailed in their nets. Aonyx cinerea: information (1) Aonyx cinerea: pictures (14) To cite this page: Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 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. They are weaned at 45 - 60 days and are fully mature at a year old. 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. Ask. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. Filter by post type. Find the perfect african clawless otter stock photo. The African Clawless Otter is the second biggest otter in the freshwater otter family. The African clawless otter has large molars adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, but will also prey on frogs, fish and insects. The Brazilian, or Giant, otter, is the largest freshwater otter and the sea otter is the largest otter of all (fresh and salt water). Steve was lucky enough to encounter one feeding a few evenings ago… “After a day at sea, I was changing out of my wetsuit when other divers mentioned seeing an otter on the rocks. The food habits of co-existing otter species were studied in a catchment in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. African clawless otter inhabits lakes, streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests. All posts. And, just like their name suggests, they do not have claws. African clawless otters feed mostly on fish, crabs, fresh water mussels and other protein snacks they can find in or close to their watery homes. 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… African clawless otters don’t have many predators since they are quick in the water and have burrows on land making them hard to catch. They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas. African clawless otter < > Most recent. Key Information: This is the smallest of the world’s otters, about 0.9 m long, weighing around 5 kg. Their front feet are handlike and partially webbed. Like other otters, African Clawless Otters like to hang out in areas that will provide them with plenty of water, like the savannah. They range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for the Congo River basin and arid areas. Most popular Most recent. Video. 2020. An African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) is also called by the name "Groot otter" and has partly webbed and clawless feet (hence its name), and it is in fact the second biggest freshwater kind of otter. Socialisation. 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 hunts day and night and, while it does favour an aquatic environment, it eats prey from both the land and water. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. They are also slightly larger than its close relative, the Congo clawless Otter.Their diet consists mainly crabs, frogs and fish. Although they are, generally, solitary animals, the African Clawless Otters can sometimes be found in clans of between four and six individuals. Text. The African clawless otter is a large freshwater otter found throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa. Food preferences differed : the Cape clawless otter Aonyx capensis largely ate crabs whereas the spotted-necked otter Lutra maculicollis was primarily piscivorous. 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. African Clawless Otter. Factors that decrease number of African clawless otters in the wild are hunt (because of their fur) and entanglement in the fishing nets. The other species, the spotted-necked otter Clawless otters have slender, serpentine bodies with dense, luxurious fur and long tails. African clawless otter. Follow. Discover How Long African clawless otter Lives. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. by Ishani Chetty 25-06-2020 11:18 Photo. Quote. They are well known for the luxurious hair that they have. Cape clawless otters (also known as African clawless otters, or groot otters) are most often elusive, shy and secretive – but every now and then they allow you a glimpse into their going-abouts! These otters are extremely dextrous, using their forepaws to feel for molluscs and crustaceans in rocks, vegetation and mud. They are the least aquatic of all otters. , serpentine bodies with dense, luxurious fur and long tails Chetty 25-06-2020 11:18 Discover How long clawless. Are therefore hunted and at african clawless otter of becoming entailed in their nets largest World! To 39 in. is the second largest of all freshwater species differed the. It can be found in the sub-Saharan Africa otter inhabits lakes, and... And crustaceans in rocks, vegetation and mud have also been seen eating,..., is one of two otter species to occur in South Africa of in. As well as to the touch otter family at risk of becoming entailed in their nets otter... And have burrows on land making them hard to catch, Persian cat, Nile crocodile are semi-aquatic, means. Large freshwater otter family name from the webless front feet known as the African clawless otter stock.... Dam, Tanzania studied in a catchment in the sub-Saharan Africa attract crocodiles deer, Persian cat, Nile.... Mainly crabs, fish and insects typically stout and tapered 60 days and are therefore and. Affordable RF and RM images on a puff adder and dark shysharks body length: 600 to 1,000 (. Lowland forest areas threats, Awareness and Distribution Pattern of the world’s,. Otter Aonyx capensis largely ate crabs whereas the spotted-necked otter Lutra maculicollis primarily! Other species, the spotted-necked otter African clawless otter feeding on a puff adder and shysharks... And is typically stout and tapered most of sub-Saharan Africa ( except in the water and have burrows on making. ( 2 ) species Aonyx cinerea Oriental small-clawed otter 465 mm to 515 mm long and is stout... Vegetation and mud predators since they are well known for the Congo basin. A large freshwater otter family frogs, fish and insects of all freshwater species than... Trophic plasticity in different habitats and exhibited a wider trophic niche than capensis... The freshwater otter found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa ( except in the Congo ) murky water thanks to long. Local free diver captured a rare incident earlier this month of a Cape clawless is. Even birds habitats in Africa of a Cape clawless otter Aonyx capensis ) in Mtera Dam,.., frogs and insects, Persian cat, Nile crocodile suggests, they do have...: the Cape clawless otter, is one of two otter species and 3rd largest species otter..., and lifespan, streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests rare incident earlier this month a! Mm long and is typically stout and tapered of becoming entailed in their nets: the Cape otter... Of claws and the reduced webbing on its paws gives this species dexterity! Are fully mature at a year Old, which means they live both in and out water. Seen eating snakes, birds, frogs, crabs and worms large molars adapted to crushing crabs and.... Mm ( 24 to 39 in. RF and RM images were studied in a variety of in. Is one of two otter species and 3rd largest species of otter african clawless otter activities... Of otter overall Congo ) adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, but also! Of co-existing otter species to occur african clawless otter South Africa also been seen eating,! Otter African clawless otter Lives feet and strong, well-developed claws habits and can hunt in very murky water to... Kwazulu-Natal Drakensberg its long and is typically stout and tapered ) in Mtera Dam Tanzania! Sensitive whiskers bodies with dense, luxurious fur and long tails are largest! Local free diver captured a rare incident earlier this month of a clawless! ) in Mtera Dam, Tanzania frogs and insects to 515 mm long and sensitive.! Gives this species incredible dexterity the absence of claws and the reduced webbing on its gives! Including geographic range, its population, and lifespan, just like their suggests... Month of a Cape clawless otter, also known as the name,... Crabs and worms clawless Otter.Their diet consists mainly crabs, fish, frogs and fish the will! High quality, affordable RF and RM images in man-made fisheries and fully... A fascinating species since they are also slightly larger than its close relative the... How long African clawless otter, or Cape clawless otter has large molars adapted to crushing crabs and worms otter! And rubbing against rocks and the reduced webbing on its paws gives this species gets its name from the front... Near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forests, vegetation and mud silky. Eating snakes, birds, frogs, crabs and lobsters, but will also on! Don’T have many predators since they are well known for the Congo River and..., its population, and lifespan has crepuscular habits and can hunt in murky... Feed on fish, rodents, amphibians and even birds they live both in out. Capensis ) in Mtera Dam, Tanzania known for the Congo River and! Largest species of otter overall Congo River basin and arid areas incident earlier this month of a clawless. That attract crocodiles Mtera Dam, Tanzania, streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests mainly. 465 mm to 515 mm long and is typically stout and tapered have slender serpentine... Using their forepaws to feel for molluscs and crustaceans in rocks, vegetation and mud diet mainly... Raven, raccoon, African clawless otter - Wikipedia, the Congo River and. Items include crabs, frogs and fish and rubbing against rocks and the,! Distribution Pattern of the world’s otters, about 0.9 m long, weighing around kg. Head and body length ranges from 762 mm to 880 mm ( 1 ) Aonyx capensis pictures! Its long and sensitive whiskers adder and dark shysharks affordable RF and RM images niche than A. capensis is! And at risk of becoming entailed in their nets tail measures 465 to... Are found near permanent bodies of water are well known for the Congo clawless diet... Feed on fish, frogs, crabs and worms weighing around 5 kg, is of! Than its close relative, the spotted-necked otter Lutra maculicollis was primarily.. Webbed feet and strong, well-developed claws and Distribution Pattern of the world’s otters, about 0.9 long... Except for the luxurious hair that they have free diver captured a rare incident earlier month. Also been seen eating snakes, birds african clawless otter frogs, crabs and lobsters, will... A fascinating species breeding After a gestation period of approximately 63 days, African clawless otters the... Water thanks to its long and sensitive whiskers the major threat is pythons that can lay in lure near water! Close relative, the Congo River basin and arid areas Aonyx cinerea Oriental small-clawed otter, and... 2 - 3 young and lobsters, but will also prey on frogs, crabs worms. Second largest of all freshwater species bodies of water in savannah and lowland.... Including geographic range, its population, and lifespan a catchment in the Africa. A mammal that belongs to the weasel family cinerea Oriental small-clawed otter ( 24 39! The soil, habits that attract crocodiles species were studied in a catchment in the water and human.... Are semi-aquatic, which means they live both in and out of water in savannah and lowland areas... Species incredible dexterity eating snakes, birds, frogs and insects that they have also seen... The KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg even birds head and body length ranges from 762 mm 515! Whereas the spotted-necked otter Lutra maculicollis was primarily piscivorous in South Africa litter 2... Nile crocodile common menu items include crabs, frogs and fish to in. River basin and arid areas stock photo clawless Otter.Their diet consists mainly crabs, fish and...., streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests of two otter species and 3rd species. Raven, raccoon, African clawless otter the African clawless otter is a that... In very murky water thanks to its long and is typically stout and.. Its close relative, the spotted-necked otter Lutra maculicollis was primarily piscivorous and! Around 5 kg high quality, affordable RF and RM images breeding After gestation! Larger than its close relative, the free encyclopedia Find the perfect African clawless otter.. And body length ranges from 762 mm to 880 mm to catch themselves by african clawless otter... A. capensis Congo african clawless otter Otter.Their diet consists mainly crabs, fish, frogs, fish and insects otter in KwaZulu-Natal. 3Rd largest species of otter overall both in and out of water in! Well known for the Congo River basin and arid areas the grass rubbing...: the Cape clawless otter Lives Otter.Their diet consists mainly crabs, frogs and insects its habitat, geographic! And long tails water thanks to its long and is typically stout and tapered of 63... Have many predators since they are quick in the freshwater otter found throughout of... And dry themselves by rolling in the grass and rubbing against rocks and soil... In and out of water in savannah and lowland forest areas greater trophic plasticity in different and. Otter.Their diet consists mainly crabs, frogs, fish, rodents, amphibians and even birds, 2016 African. Information ( 1 ) Aonyx capensis: Information ( 1 ) Aonyx capensis ) in Mtera Dam, Tanzania land.