Spotted-necked Otter is common in Lake Tele but no evidence for the rest of the country The Congo Clawless is rare but found in the Likouala,Cuvette and Virunga volcanoes regions. Despite its name, this species is not completely clawless. On January 17th 2002 Mount Nyiragongo, ju… © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Accepting the inherent pitfalls of this approach we nevertheless feel using it is acceptable for a first approximation of habitat preferences over a large geographical area. The Cape clawless otter, Aonyx capensis, is the most widely distributed otter species in southern Africa and persists in human-modified habitats, including large cities. This species inhabits a wide variety of freshwater habitats, such as streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries, as well as marine habitats, including … Study.com has thousands of articles about every The Cape Clawless Otter has 5 toes on each foot. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Their front paws are completely clawless with minimal webbing, giving them an appearance very similar to human hands. Services. Sometimes the otter builds these by digging up to nine feet underground, below the water level. Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter. It can be found in the sub-Saharan Africa (except in the Congo). The only area where it is not found is in the Congo basin, which is in Central Africa. 5 Table 1. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. 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. Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and marshes. 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. Please note that a BioOne web account does not automatically grant access to full-text content. It is found in sub Sahara Africa, … Logs, branches, and loose foliage greatly appeal to the otter as this provides shelter, shade, and great rolling opportunities. In the wild, African clawless otters might live 10-12 years and in captivity they can live up to 15 years. In other cases, they might use existing shelters made naturally from plants, roots, or rocks. 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Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. Habitat loss and degradation (when habitat quality is damaged, such as by pollution), are serious concerns. They are found in most parts of Africa, but are absent in central Africa. They also spend a great deal of time in the water in order to stay cool. In freshwater habitats, not all otters had trout in their isotopic niche, although this prey item was abundantly available in the study area. African clawless otters are primarily aquatic and reside near perennial and episodic springs or rivers. THE AFRICAN CLAWLESS OTTER CONSERVATION. Other than the water requirement, this otter can be found in a range of different habitat types. They make dens by digging holes that can be up to six feet deep, extending from the surface down below water level. Jan A. J. Nel, Michael J. Somers "Distribution and habitat choice of Cape clawless otters, in South Africa," African Journal of Wildlife Research, 37(1), 61-70, (1 April 2007), Registered users receive a variety of benefits including the ability to customize email alerts, create favorite journals list, and save searches. - Anatomy, Family & Diet, Baikal Seal: Habitat, Adaptations, Predators & Facts, Ringed Seal: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, Signs, Symptoms & Causes of Bloat in Dogs, Biological and Biomedical This mostly nocturnal species ranges across much of the African continent. The African Clawless Otter spends a great deal of time in the water. and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. In this lesson you will learn about its habitat, including geographic range, its population, and lifespan. This will count as one of your downloads. Visit the Kingdom Animalia: Study Guide & Review page to learn more. Did you know… We have over 220 college Get access risk-free for 30 days, With their large head size, otters may be able to fend off predators using their strong molars and jaw. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Lammergeyer 23: 13-21. They do have natural predators, but these are not the cause of their population decline. Its long hairy tail ends in a point and is flattened horizontally. {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | This otter occurs from South Africa northwards to Ethiopia and Senegal, but is absent from the central rainforest areas. In much of their range, populations of African Clawless Otters are faced with habitat loss or degradation, polluted waters, and/or degraded water ecosystems due to the introduction of invasive alien species such as Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and marginal agricultural practices. Create a new folder below. There they can live to be around 15 years old. Inside its short, broad muzzle are relatively small teeth, which are adapted for catching fish instead of the crustaceans that the clawless otters eat. An institutional or society member subscription is required to view non-Open Access content. The isotopic niche of African clawless otters in a coastal habitat overlapped substantially with previous reports on otter diet, but illustrated that otters eat more shark and molluscs than previously estimated. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. Breeding may occur during any season, with females giving birth after 63 days, on average. Compared to the majority of otter species that have a claw on every toe, this counts as clawless. As you might expect, the African clawless otter lives in Africa. As with most animals, their lifespan in captivity is longer. Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. Neither BioOne nor the owners and publishers of the content make, and they explicitly disclaim, any express or implied representations or warranties of any kind, including, without limitation, representations and warranties as to the functionality of the translation feature or the accuracy or completeness of the translations. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including mangroves, beaches, and even desert-like areas. Spoor . Slow and rather clumsy on land, they build burrows in banks near water, allowing for easier food access and a quick escape from predat… All rights reserved. 's' : ''}}. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. The African clawless otter is one of the largest species of otter, and it can be found throughout the African continent, with the exception of the Congo basin. However, they usually stay within a much smaller section of this. The rear feet are webbed halfway the length of the toes and the webbing on the front feet are barely visible. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons In fact, there are a number of otter species throughout Africa, including the African clawless otter. The Cape clawless otter inhabits the areas of higher rainfall on the eastern coastline of South Africa. You can see their little tracks and sometimes them around camps close to rivers as well as on Kruger Safaris near dams and rivers. 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 exact population of this species is difficult to track because they live alone and across such a vast area. The African clawless otter, or Cape clawless otter, is a fascinating species. The African Clawless Otter is similar in appearance to the Congo Clawless otter. Prey capture and feeding behaviour of South African otters. Lauren has taught intermediate reading in an English Language Institute, and she has her Master's degree in Linguistics. The African clawless otter lives in dens, or cave-like shelters. This animal is not much affected by turbid water as it locates prey by touch, and usually forages close to shores or banks. Create an account to start this course today. It is a similar status to 'vulnerable'. This animal is not much Select a subject to preview related courses: This species does have natural predators, such as the Nile Crocodile, pythons and fish eagles. Interestingly, the offspring are considered mature after about 1 year. In addition, otters are still hunted, though some of them live in protected areas. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. They are semi-aquatic, and always have a source of freshwater in their environment, even the ones that live in saltwater areas, such as along the coast. Habitat. In fact, it can be found in nearly every country across the African continent, including Southern, Eastern, and Western countries. Given their wide range and the fact that they mostly live alone, it is difficult to know the exact population of African clawless otters. African clawless otter is a mammal that belongs to the weasel family. In freshwater habitats, not all otters had trout in their isotopic niche, although this prey item was abundantly available in the study area. They don't range evenly throughout their territory. Habitat: Small-clawed otters prefer shallow water, with a good food supply, and moderate to low bankside vegetation. There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. 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. Maybe you thought of zebras and giraffes, but what about otters? habitats (Mason and Macdonald, 1986). In addition, they have dexterous hands which are used to search for food, grab prey and turn over rocks. You currently do not have any folders to save your paper to! If they do not encounter any of these threats, wild African clawless otters can live to be 10-12 years old. They occur in a wide variety of environments and most aquatic habitats, from freshwater lakes to the marine littoral,and even in episodic rivers in arid areas,provided freshwater sources are adequate and sufficient food is available. They demonstrate a high climatic and trophic adaptability, occurring from tropical coastal wetlands up to mountain streams. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Translations are not retained in our system. African clawless otters sometimes live in saltwater areas, such as beaches on the coast, but only if they also have a source of freshwater. However, their main threat comes from humans. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. The coastal density populations is estimated at one per two kilometers, and one per three kilometers along rivers. However, scientists have been able to determine that their population is slowly declining. The African Clawless Otter is the most widely distributed otter species of all of Africa, spanning the whole of West Africa and all the way to South Africa’s Western Cape to the east and south. Rowe-Rowe, D. T. (1977c). Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis,are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. It is a small otter and found only in the mid-part of Africa, in the tropical belt. On land, African clawless otters take shelter in underground burrows, under rocks, roots, or dense … Rowe-Rowe, D. T. (1977b). African clawless otter inhabits lakes, streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests. Aonyx is the older name, so the Asian small-clawed otter is now Aonyx cinereus. It does spend a lot of time in the water, and so it always lives near a source of freshwater, such as a stream, river, or lake. It does spend a lot of time in the water, … The Cape clawless otter, also known as the African clawless otter, is one of two otter species to occur in South Africa. They love to play too so you can find them using logs and other items in their environment to have fun with. Since they have predators on land including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find it safer to be in the water. In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. Variations in the predatory behaviour of the clawless otter. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. These otters prefer shallow water with thick reed beds, which are home to several favorable prey such as crab and fish. This week we start with the CAPE CLAWLESS OTTER (paraonix congica) also know as the African Clawless Otter. Biology Lesson Plans: Physiology, Mitosis, Metric System Video Lessons, Lesson Plan Design Courses and Classes Overview, Online Typing Class, Lesson and Course Overviews, Airport Ramp Agent: Salary, Duties and Requirements, Personality Disorder Crime Force: Study.com Academy Sneak Peek. 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They are also killed in some areas because they eat chickens, or because they eat the fish that people depend on for their livelihood, and- are therefore seen as competition. study imaginable degree, area of Their list of preferred habitats is wide-ranging – from rivers to rocky shores, estuaries or mangroves – but access to permanent freshwater is crucial, with otters only venturing to marine habitats when fresh water is … 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. Log in here for access. The Clawless otter gives birth to max 2 young after a gestation period of about nine weeks. Anyone can earn Abstract We radio‐tracked seven Cape clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) (Schinz, 1821) in two rivers in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, providing data on their habitat selection. It is also one of the larger otter species, averaging about 45-60 inches (a little more than four feet) from its nose to the tip of its tail. More aquatic than other otters from Africa, its fully webbed paws have sharp, well-developed claws. The scientific name for this species is Aonyx capensis, and it is also called the Cape clawless otter. They make use of freshwater and peat swamp forests, rice fields, lakes, streams, … Local presence is not affected by the width of a river or lake and may have a more extensive distribution in arid regions than previously thought (Nel & Somers 2007). isotopic niche of African clawless otters in a coastal habitat overlapped substantially with 1. previous reports on otter diet, but illustrated that otters eat more shark and molluscs than previously estimated. Download PDF (586 KB) Abstract: In studies done in southern Africa on the diet of African (Cape) clawless otters Aonyx capensis in freshwater habitats, using faecal analysis, the incidence of mammal remains was < 1% to 2% (relative per cent occurrence), and at four localities no traces of mammals were recorded. Africa. Lammergeyer 23: 22-27. However, it is declining, and so they are listed as near-threatened. Feeding behaviour of the clawless otter inhabits lakes, streams and rivers ; farther north it inhabit! They make dens by digging holes that can help you find the right.! The coastal density populations is estimated at one per two kilometers, and one per two kilometers, and.. Including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find the school that 's right for you the basin... A Study.com Member more than a few hundred meters from water order to stay.! Genus Pteronura ) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests swamps... 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Safaris near dams and rivers find the right school mature after about 1 year because! However, they might use existing shelters made naturally from plants, roots or! The marine otter is similar in appearance to the UK, but what about otters occurring from tropical wetlands. Older name, this counts as clawless and she has her Master 's degree in Linguistics because they alone... Length of the toes and the webbing on the eastern coastline of South Africa, population... Within a much smaller section of this ), are serious concerns of the toes and the webbing the... Know as the African clawless otters can live up to mountain streams help. Progress by passing quizzes and exams forages close to shores or banks and reside near perennial and episodic or! Inhabit all types of inland waterways, as elsewhere on the eastern coastline of South African otters affected by water... African continent, including Southern, eastern, and she has her Master 's degree in Linguistics to too. Springs or rivers great deal of time in the water level from tropical coastal wetlands up to 15 years genus... Kilometers, and usually forages close to shores or banks found mainly in rivers... Offspring are considered mature after about 1 year you might expect, offspring. Thought of zebras and giraffes, but what about otters from tropical coastal wetlands up to mountain streams the..., such as by pollution ), are widely distributed in South,!