Take a closer look at these encyclopedia books including information about animal habitats, behavior, and scientific classification. The Spotted Necked Otter is smaller and darker than the African Clawless Otter and has a pale neck with spots. In the case of two cryptic, co-occurring South African otter species, namely the Cape Clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) and the spotted necked otter (Lutra maculicollis), faeces (spraint) is used as a means of determining, , , African clawless otters are the largest Old World otter species and 3rd largest species of otter overall. Grizmek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. Congo clawless otters are one of 13 species of otters in the carnivore family Mustelidae. An individual otter maintains a territory. It is very silky in appearance as well as to the touch. Are you wild about whales? The current distribution ranges of two African otter species, African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) and spotted‐necked otters (Hydrictis maculicollis), indicate both species are present within South Africa (D'Inzillo Carranza & Rowe‐Rowe, 2013; Skinner & … Common menu items include crabs, fish, … The otters are generally within 50 meters away from a source of water and their diet consists mainly of marine species such as fish, crabs, lobsters, and octopus. It takes about 60 days from conception and the litters may be formed by one or 5 pups. Their diet generally consists of a variety of small items including frogs, worms, fish, and crabs. 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). African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) occur in a wide variety of habitats, and thus are good model species to investigate animal adaptation to anthropogenic environments. The Virunga volcanoes are a chain of 8 volcanoes along the northern part of the African rift valley and the Virunga heartland is one of the world's most important biodiversity sites in which the Congo Clawless Otter and mountain gorillas live. The fact that so many fish these areas means that the food supply can be significantly reduced for them as well. Otters mark their territories with scent, and fervently patrol and defend their territories. These whiskers are highly sensitive to vibrations all around them. It is believed to spend much more time on land than other otters. This mammal has also been known to dine on ducks, small birds (ducks), shrews, reptiles, swans, geese, mollusks, and coots. An individual otter maintains a territory. Otters mark their territories with Interestingly, Congo Clawless Otters are monogamous but they do not mate for life. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas. It is also called the Cameroon clawless otter. They use their whiskers as the primary source of finding food. Adults range in size from 1.15-1.5m (3.8-5ft), and weigh from 16 … The Cape clawless otter, also known as the African clawless otter, is one of two otter species to occur in South Africa. The African clawless otter is carnivorous. The African Clawless Otter was first listed under the IUCN as at least concern in 1996. However, proportions of trout in some of the African clawless otter isotopic niches (OT10 and OT12) are much higher than what has been previously determined in trout waters (Rowe-Rowe, 1977b; Butler and Du Toit, 1994). It is a small otter and found only in the mid-part of Africa, in the tropical belt. The African Clawless Otter spends a great deal of time in the water. That’s why it prefers to burrow into banks that are close to water. Very little is known about this species. Andarge Engedasew, Wube Tilaye, Balakrishnan Mundanthra, Diet analysis of the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) in and around Lake Tana, Journal of Ecology and The Natural Environment, 10.5897/JENE2016.0608, 9, 4, Its diet consists of crabs, lobsters, insects, frogs, and a wide array of fish species. They are found in freshwater and marine habitats, typically close to the forest areas along various areas of Africa. c. Spot-necked otters are found throughout Africa in all countries south of the Sahara. It is The diet composition of the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) was studied by analyzing of 440 spraint samples collected during January, 2014 and December, 2015 in both dry and wet seasons from eight sites in and around Lake Tana, North West Ethiopia. Andarge Engedasew, Wube Tilaye, Balakrishnan Mundanthra, Diet analysis of the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) in and around Lake Tana, Journal of Ecology and The Natural Environment, 10.5897/JENE2016.0608, 9, 4, (53-61), (2017). Learn more about the Seasonal Camp Counselor program at SeaWorld. b. Congo clawless otters inhabit equatorial Africa, from southeastern Nigeria to Gabon, down to Uganda and Burundi. Genetic diversity of African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) occurring in urbanised areas of Gauteng, South Africa AUTHORS: Damian W. Ponsonby1 M. Thabang Madisha2 Ute Schwaibold1 Desiré L. Dalton2,3 AFFILIATIONS: 1School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. They thrive both in the warm water areas and where the temperatures are very low. They are very fast when it comes to catching these items and then consuming them. It occurs in any large area of suitable habitat to the south of the Sahara, except the Congo Basin. Aside from the Giant Otter, no other otter is bigger than the African clawless otter. Vol. These preliminary results suggest that African clawless otters may have increased adrenocortical activity that could be due to conditions linked to living in a transformed environment. They tend to like water that is surrounding by areas of foliage. INTRODUCTION Knowledge of the distribution of African otters is derived from museum specimens, sightings (not always reliable where two or more species are sympatric)andonsigns,e.g.distinctivetracksand spraints (faeces), or from diaries and expedition @Tekweni 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. The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. The African clawless otter has large molars adapted to crushing crabs and lobsters, but will also prey on frogs, fish and insects. It is a small otter and found only in the mid-part of Africa, in the tropical belt. Other members of this family include weasels, skunks, and ferrets. The African Clawless Otter are found everywhere in Africa except for the northern region. Taken with tigers? Due to the shy nature of Cape clawless otters, they often avoid heavily disturbed urban areas, and when they do occur in urban areas, they are often more nocturnal in order to avoid disturbance from people and dogs. They tend to mate in December as that is the rainy season in Africa. (ed.). The African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. IUCN Redlist: http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=1794. It is a social animal and forms distinctive male and female groups. The Cape clawlesss otter, also known as the African clawless otter (Aonyx Capensi), is a robust animal that is both nocturnal and diurnal. Their head and body length ranges from 762 mm to 880 mm. 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 … Hear animal sounds for animals like anteaters, dolphins, frogs and more. 1990). 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 −2 These otters have partly webbed and clawless feet, from which they get their name. These Otters are mature enough for mating around one year of age. They immediately go their separate ways afterwards as well. Their raft has a given territory and then they each have their own space within it. 4. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. When walking along the Plettenberg Bay beaches animal tracks can often be seen in the sand. African (Cape) clawless otter (Aonyx capensis): The African clawless otter is one of four species of otters found in Africa. They mark their territory with their scent glands which are very powerful. As the name suggests, these Otters don’t have claws. The "African clawless otter" , also known as the "Cape clawless otter" or "groot otter", is the second-largest freshwater species of otter. While it can get around on land, it is slow and often clumsy in the process. Environment Business & Policy Science Animals Home & Design Current Events Treehugger Voices Environment Planet Earth ... African clawless otter, and Congo clawless otter. Clawless otters also use strong olfactory cues to communicate. Only the giant otter and sea otter are larger. Due to the shy nature of Cape clawless otters, they often avoid heavily disturbed urban areas, and when they do occur in urban areas, they are often more nocturnal in order to avoid disturbance from people and dogs. The clawless otter cab weight from 12 -21 Kg. At SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, we extend our commitment to the environment beyond our company by supporting a variety of conservation groups and programs. Crazy about roller coasters? So are we! Common menu items include crabs, fish, … IV. They love to play too so you can find them using logs and other items in their environment to have fun with. This clawless otter, named Moses, was just a few weeks old when he was found abandoned at the side of a South African river. Since they have predators on land including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find it safer to be in the water. Parker, S. This has to be one of the cutest, friendliest and playful otter pets ever, the African Clawless otter. (1) Asian small-clawed otters occur in fresh and brackish water habitats including rivers, creeks, estuaries, and coastal waters. (ed.). Download free teacher guides to keep students learning in a hands-on way: includes vocabulary, classroom activities, goals and objectives. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 1990. The extremely reduced claws and webbing on its paws gives this species incredible dexterity. 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. At that time the males will leave their mother to join the male raft in the area. They are well known for the luxurious hair that they have. The African Clawless Otter is slow and awkward when it tries to move around on land. [2][3][4] The Congo clawless otter is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Burundi, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Rwanda, or Uganda. They rely on them both in the water and on land. In some parts of Africa they are protected but it isn’t a widespread effort like it needs to be. Congo clawless otters are one of 13 species of otters in the carnivore family Mustelidae. c. Clawless otter (genus Aonyx) habitats vary greatly among the species and between individuals. Its distribution range covers most of sub-Saharan Africa, only being absent in the Congo basin where it is replaced by the Congo clawless otter ( A. congicus ) ( Rowe-Rowe & Somers, 1998 ; Nel & Somers, 2007 ). Our overarching zoological mission is to foster conservation awareness and to impart action on our park guests to preserve wild animals and wild places. This article is protected by copyright. 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