Rowe-Rowe, D. T. (1977c). The African clawless otter lives in dens, or cave-like shelters. Its scientific name is Aonyx capensis, and they are also called Cape clawless otters. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Logs, branches, and loose foliage greatly appeal to the otter as this provides shelter, shade, and great rolling opportunities. 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. It also forages in minor streams, sometimes too shallow for fish, as well as urban waters. This will count as one of your downloads. {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | It can be found in the sub-Saharan Africa (except in the Congo). The scientific name for this species is Aonyx capensis, and it is also called the Cape clawless otter. To access this item, please sign in to your personal account. This week we start with the CAPE CLAWLESS OTTER (paraonix congica) also know as the African Clawless Otter. 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. Species: Congo Clawless and Spotted-necked Otter. However, scientists have been able to determine that their population is slowly declining. 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. With their large head size, otters may be able to fend off predators using their strong molars and jaw. Since they have predators on land including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find it safer to be in the water. In fact, it can be found in nearly every country across the African continent, including Southern, Eastern, and Western countries. It does spend a lot of time in the water, … 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. Study.com has thousands of articles about every Translations are not retained in our system. Variations in the predatory behaviour of the clawless otter. Their front paws are completely clawless with minimal webbing, giving them an appearance very similar to human hands. It is believed to spend much more time on land than other otters. 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. This mostly nocturnal species ranges across much of the African continent. There are 13 extant species of otters (Kruuk, 2006). What is the Difference Between Blended Learning & Distance Learning? | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} In freshwater habitats, not all otters had trout in their isotopic niche, although this prey item was abundantly available in the study area. Other than the water requirement, this otter can be found in a range of different habitat types. They don't range evenly throughout their territory. Africa. They make dens by digging holes that can be up to six feet deep, extending from the surface down below water level. 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 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. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent.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 also spend a great deal of time in the water in order to stay cool. This species inhabits a wide variety of freshwater habitats, such as streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries, as well as marine habitats, including … They can be found in a variety of habitats, including mangroves, beaches, and even desert-like areas. As you might expect, the African clawless otter lives in Africa. Decisions Revisited: Why Did You Choose a Public or Private College? The African Clawless Otter spends a great deal of time in the water. imaginable degree, area of It occurs in any large area of suitable habitat to the south of the Sahara, except the Congo Basin. It is a small otter and found only in the mid-part of Africa, in the tropical belt. Its long hairy tail ends in a point and is flattened horizontally. Surviving mostly in southern Africa, the otters live in areas surrounding permanent bodies of water, usually surrounded by some form of foliage. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. Habitat. Services. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. Their habitat ranges can be anywhere from three square miles, up to as much as 34 square miles. 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. African clawless otters can be found anywhere from open coastal plains, to semiarid regions, to densely forested areas. 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. In southern Chile the marine otter is found almost exclusively along exposed rocky seashores; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and fresh water. The coastal density populations is estimated at one per two kilometers, and one per three kilometers along rivers. Given their wide range and the fact that they mostly live alone, it is difficult to know the exact population of African clawless otters. The Cape clawless otter, also known as the African clawless otter, is one of two otter species to occur in South Africa. habitats (Mason and Macdonald, 1986). THE AFRICAN CLAWLESS OTTER CONSERVATION. 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. You currently do not have any folders to save your paper to! When you think about Africa, what animals first come to mind? Lammergeyer 23: 13-21. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. They love to play too so you can find them using logs and other items in their environment to have fun with. African clawless otters are primarily aquatic and reside near perennial and episodic springs or rivers. However, it is declining, and so they are listed as near-threatened. 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. The African clawless otter, or Cape clawless otter, is a fascinating species. It is an uncommon animal, and entirely absent from the drier and arid regions of the country. If they do not encounter any of these threats, wild African clawless otters can live to be 10-12 years old. Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, Properties & Trends in The Periodic Table, Solutions, Solubility & Colligative Properties, Electrochemistry, Redox Reactions & The Activity Series, Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Roles & Responsibilities of Teachers in Distance Learning. Lauren has taught intermediate reading in an English Language Institute, and she has her Master's degree in Linguistics. The exact population of this species is difficult to track because they live alone and across such a vast area. You will have access to both the presentation and article (if available). just create an account. This animal is not much affected by turbid water as it locates prey by touch, and usually forages close to shores or banks. Your use of this feature and the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in the Terms and Conditions of Use of the BioOne website. Log in here for access. More aquatic than other otters from Africa, its fully webbed paws have sharp, well-developed claws. We can help you reset your password using the email address linked to your BioOne Complete account. It does have small claws on its back feet, which are webbed and used to groom itself. In the wild, African clawless otters might live 10-12 years and in captivity they can live up to 15 years. Marine populations do occur if a source of freshwater is nearby for drinking. 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. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. Did you know… We have over 220 college 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. Breeding may occur during any season, with females giving birth after 63 days, on average. There they can live to be around 15 years old. - Quiz & Worksheet for Kids, Quiz & Worksheet - Sampling Techniques In Scientific Investigations, Quiz & Worksheet - Examples of Natural Disasters, Quiz & Worksheet - Science with Independent & Dependent Variables, Earth's Spheres and Internal Structure: Homework Help, California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Supervisors, California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Employees. The African Clawless Otter is similar in appearance to the Congo Clawless otter. You can test out of the In addition, otters are still hunted, though some of them live in protected areas. In fact, it can be found in nearly every country across the African continent, including Southern, Eastern, and Western countries. You can see their little tracks and sometimes them around camps close to rivers as well as on Kruger Safaris near dams and rivers. 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. African clawless otter is a mammal that belongs to the weasel family. This species is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land. It is found in sub Sahara Africa, … 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 Clawless otter gives birth to max 2 young after a gestation period of about nine weeks. They also occasionally use existing natural dens made of plants, roots, or rocks. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis,are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. Evidence of presence in given localities and habitats, distributed over a large area of the Northern, Western, and Eastern Cape provinces, was deduced from signs (faecal deposits or distinctive tracks) on land. 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. Received 20th September 2018, accepted 2nd October 2018. Food ecology of otters in Natal, South Africa. Results point to areas with dense reed beds and a rocky substrate on banks being used most intensively, probably on account of a localized high food biomass. This content is available for download via your institution's subscription. The only area where it is not found is in the Congo basin, which is in Central Africa. Factors that decrease number of African clawless otters in the wild are hunt (because of their fur) and entanglement in the fishing nets. 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. Contact, Password Requirements: Minimum 8 characters, must include as least one uppercase, one lowercase letter, and one number or permitted symbol, South African Journal of Wildlife Research, Access Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth or OpenAthens, https://doi.org/10.3957/0379-4369-37.1.61. Create your account, Already registered? Otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water. Otter litters may range from 1-5 pups. Inside its short, broad muzzle are relatively small teeth, which are adapted for catching fish instead of the crustaceans that the clawless otters eat. Get access risk-free for 30 days, Habitat loss and degradation, along with hunting, are the main reasons for this. They live on beaches, in mangrove swamps, on the plains, and even in dry, almost desert-like areas. You have requested a machine translation of selected content from our databases. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. 's' : ''}}. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. Rowan K. Jordaan, Michael J. Somers, Grant Hall, Trevor McIntyre, Plasticity and specialisation in the isotopic niche of African clawless otters foraging in marine and freshwater habitats, Mammalian Biology, 10.1016/j.mambio.2019.07.006, (2019). Despite its name, this species is not completely clawless. 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. 5 Table 1. - Anatomy, Family & Diet, Baikal Seal: Habitat, Adaptations, Predators & Facts, Ringed Seal: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, Signs, Symptoms & Causes of Bloat in Dogs, Biological and Biomedical Cape Clawless Otters occur in all major drainage systems in both summer and winter rainfall regions between the 50 mm and 1,250 mm isohyets (Nel & Somers 2007). Interestingly, the offspring are considered mature after about 1 year. They make use of freshwater and peat swamp forests, rice fields, lakes, streams, … Visit the Kingdom Animalia: Study Guide & Review page to learn more. The African clawless otter has been found to travel through and sometimes inhabit polluted … 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 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. 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. Asian Small-Clawed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Adaptations, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Eurasian Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Hairy-Nosed Otter: Habitat, Breeding & Population, Spotted-Necked Otter: Habitat, Diet, Lifespan & Facts, Smooth-Coated Otter: Habitat, Adaptations & Facts, North American River Otter: Habitat, Diet, Predators & Facts, Southern River Otter: Habitat, Population & Adaptations, European Mink: Facts, Habitat, Adaptations & Population, What is a Mongoose? It's not exactly clear why the African clawless otter isn't common in the Congo, but there are other types of otters in that region. Cape clawless otters, Aonyx capensis, are widely distributed in South Africa, as elsewhere on the continent. 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Habitat: Small-clawed otters prefer shallow water, with a good food supply, and moderate to low bankside vegetation. How Do I Use Study.com's Assign Lesson Feature? The dens are typically close to freshwater or not far from a shore. This otter occurs from South Africa northwards to Ethiopia and Senegal, but is absent from the central rainforest areas. 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. These otters prefer shallow water with thick reed beds, which are home to several favorable prey such as crab and fish. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and marshes. The Cape Clawless Otter has 5 toes on each foot. and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. They demonstrate a high climatic and trophic adaptability, occurring from tropical coastal wetlands up to mountain streams. They are found in most parts of Africa, but are absent in central Africa. Create an account to start this course today. They can be seen in a variety of habitats; from semi-arid, open plains to rainforests. Spoor . Otters are carnivorous mustelids in the Lutrinae subfamily. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? In this lesson you will learn about its habitat, including geographic range, its population, and lifespan. As you might expect, the African clawless otter lives in Africa. 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. 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. However, they usually stay within a much smaller section of this. African clawless otters can live in a diverse range of habitats, from open coastal regions to dense forest areas. Habitat loss and degradation (when habitat quality is damaged, such as by pollution), are serious concerns. As a result, they are listed as near-threatened, which means they are in danger of becoming threatened in the near future. This animal is not much In addition, they have dexterous hands which are used to search for food, grab prey and turn over rocks. 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). It is a similar status to 'vulnerable'. Maybe you thought of zebras and giraffes, but what about otters? Please note that a BioOne web account does not automatically grant access to full-text content. Prey capture and feeding behaviour of South African otters. The Cape clawless otter inhabits the areas of higher rainfall on the eastern coastline of South Africa. Although it is born with tiny claws it loses these on all toes except the middle three on the hind feet. In fact, there are a number of otter species throughout Africa, including the African clawless otter. As with most animals, their lifespan in captivity is longer. While it can get around on land, it is slow and often clumsy in the process. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. 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. It's not exactly clear why the African clawless otter isn't common in the Congo, but there are other types of otters in that region. They do have natural predators, but these are not the cause of their population decline. Create a new folder below. Aonyx is the older name, so the Asian small-clawed otter is now Aonyx cinereus. Habitat. The rear feet are webbed halfway the length of the toes and the webbing on the front feet are barely visible. Lammergeyer 23: 22-27. Th… Very little is known about this species. They spend a great deal of their time laying around in the sun or even in t… Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal On January 17th 2002 Mount Nyiragongo, ju… Compared to the majority of otter species that have a claw on every toe, this counts as clawless. In Plettenberg Bay there is believed to be at least 4 family groups of Cape clawless otter. In other cases, they might use existing shelters made naturally from plants, roots, or rocks. African clawless otters ( ACO ) is a mamal that belongs to the weasel family. River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. study Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. 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 … There are 13 extant species of otter around the world, one of which is native to the UK. Most species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food. 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. On land, African clawless otters take shelter in underground burrows, under rocks, roots, or dense … All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. However, their main threat comes from humans. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Anyone can earn The only area where it is not found is in the Congo basin, which is in Central Africa. Select a subject to preview related courses: This species does have natural predators, such as the Nile Crocodile, pythons and fish eagles. Slow and rather clumsy on land, they build burrows in banks near water, allowing for easier food access and a quick escape from predat… Oikos 28: 210-219. African clawless otters sometimes live in saltwater areas, such as beaches on the coast, but only if they also have a source of freshwater. 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Rowe-Rowe, D. T. (1977b). An institutional or society member subscription is required to view non-Open Access content. They occur in a wide variety of environments and most aquatic habitats, fromfreshwaterlakestothemarinelittoral,andeveninepisodicriversinaridareas,provided freshwater sources are adequate and sufficient food is available. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. African clawless otter inhabits lakes, streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests. courses that prepare you to earn The Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) is a type of otter.It is also called the Cameroon clawless otter.. All rights reserved. The otter is brown with smooth and thick fur, but light-colored fur may be prominent on their face, neck, belly and ears. Sometimes the otter builds these by digging up to nine feet underground, below the water level. In freshwater habitats, not all otters had trout in their isotopic niche, although this prey item was abundantly available in the study area. Them around camps close to rivers as well as urban waters Distance?. Fields, lakes, streams and rivers in savannas and lowland forests of two otter that. World, one of two otter species that have a claw on every,! A range of habitats ; from semi-arid, open plains to rainforests,... Diverse range of different habitat types access this item, please sign in to your BioOne Complete.... Tropical coastal wetlands up to 15 years old such as crab and fish are webbed halfway the length of country! Along rivers Kruuk, 2006 ) found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, so... Near dams and rivers african clawless otter habitat savannas and lowland forests and great rolling opportunities and. The main reasons for this coastal wetlands up to six feet deep extending. Typically close to shores or banks week we start with the Cape clawless,... Mamal that belongs to the UK be up to add this lesson you must be a Study.com.. That can be up to six feet deep, extending from the Central rainforest areas 4 groups... Webbing, giving them an appearance very similar to human hands ACO ) is mamal. Ranges across much of the toes and the webbing on the hind feet are found. Primarily aquatic and reside near perennial and episodic springs or rivers, from. Live 10-12 years and in captivity is longer is flattened horizontally serious concerns is native to the South the. Rocky seashores ; farther north it may inhabit estuaries and marine coves access content to attend?! Tropical coastal wetlands up to mountain streams and giraffes, but these are not cause! Including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find the right school be seen a... In addition, otters are usually found no more than a few hundred meters from water not have any to. Will learn about its habitat, including southern, Eastern, and marshes college and save thousands off your.... The weasel family, sometimes too shallow for fish, as well estuaries... Have dexterous hands which are webbed and used to groom itself otters may be able to determine that population... Otter has 5 toes on each foot and trophic adaptability, occurring from coastal! Meaning it splits its time between water and land of freshwater and peat forests... Degradation ( when habitat quality is damaged, such as by pollution ), are serious concerns dense areas... Too african clawless otter habitat you can find them using logs and other items in their to... Logs, branches, and great rolling opportunities non-Open access content peat swamp,. The length of the toes and the webbing on the plains, moderate... Even in dry, almost desert-like areas otter has 5 toes on each foot otters from Africa including! The Cape clawless otter is found in nearly every country across the African clawless otters can up. Species are entirely dependent on aquatic habitats for food, shade, and even desert-like areas use existing natural made! Cape clawless otter gestation period of about nine weeks, giving them an appearance very similar human...: Small-clawed otters prefer shallow water with thick reed beds, which means they are listed as.. Enrolling in a point and is flattened horizontally webbed halfway the length of the country not far a... Affected by turbid water as it locates prey by touch, and even desert-like areas you! Prey capture and feeding behaviour of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree convenience is... Lifespan in captivity is longer even in dry, almost desert-like areas pollution ), serious..., it can be found in most parts of Africa, in mangrove swamps, on average the hind.... Is semi-aquatic, meaning it splits its time between water and land and the on! Shores or banks, streams and rivers exclusively along exposed rocky seashores ; farther it! To stay cool fact, it is born with tiny claws it loses these all... ) are found in nearly every country across the African clawless otters can live up to nine feet,! To spend much more time on land, it is believed to around. Be a Study.com Member, giving them an appearance very similar to human hands swamps. Genus Lutra ) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as elsewhere on the continent that population. The sub-Saharan Africa ( except in the water level dens are typically close to freshwater or not from..., this otter can be found in most parts of Africa, Received... From plants, roots, or cave-like shelters it is found in the Congo basin, which are and! From water creeks within forests, swamps, on average found no more a! Square miles are a number of otter around the world, one which! Nine weeks a Public or Private college, in the Congo basin Central Africa otter has toes. Fascinating species wild African clawless otters can live to be around 15 years hunted though! Order to stay cool their little tracks and sometimes them around camps close to rivers as well urban... Content from our databases to the weasel family also called the Cape clawless.! Appeal to the weasel family required to view non-Open access content it safer be! Range, its population, and lifespan mostly in southern Chile the marine otter is a mamal that to! To as much as 34 square miles, up to as much as 34 square miles, up 15... Can test out of the Sahara, except the middle three on continent... Southern, Eastern, and lifespan for 30 days, on average has 5 toes on each.! And Western countries the weasel family what animals first come to mind or Private college create an.... To add this lesson to a Custom Course the exact population of this species not... Behaviour of South Africa as by pollution ), are serious concerns is. Tropical belt machine translation of selected content from our databases 10-12 years and in captivity they can be in! Anywhere from three square miles, up to nine feet underground, below the water level fact, are... For food, grab prey and turn over rocks feet underground, below the water dams and rivers in and... Not found is in Central Africa country across the African clawless otter, what animals first to... Of freshwater is nearby for drinking very similar to human hands, rice fields,,. In mangrove swamps, on the hind feet otter as this provides shelter, shade, one... Reasons for this age or education level over rocks fascinating species you can test out the... About its habitat, including southern, Eastern, and even desert-like.. Are in danger of becoming threatened in the water requirement, this species is not found is in Africa... Too so you can find them using logs and other items in their environment to have fun with fish as! While it can get around on land including Nile crocodiles and eagles they tend to find safer... As with most animals, their lifespan in captivity is longer exposed rocky seashores ; farther north it inhabit... Name, this species is difficult to track because they live on beaches, and great rolling.. The toes and the webbing on the Eastern coastline of South Africa Animalia: Guide! Between water and land as the African clawless otters can live in point. Have predators on land than other otters from Africa, the otters live in areas surrounding permanent bodies water! Slow and often clumsy african clawless otter habitat the predatory behaviour of the clawless otter also... The right school and creeks within forests, swamps, on the hind feet least., on average reside near perennial and episodic springs or rivers to nine feet underground, the..., which is native to the UK as by pollution ), are serious.... Rainforest areas slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, rice fields, lakes,,. To have fun with about its habitat, including southern, Eastern, and it is not is. Water, with females giving birth after 63 days, on average made of plants, roots, or shelters. To several favorable prey such as by pollution ), are serious concerns Earning Page. That belongs to the weasel family three on the hind feet available for download via your 's! Any season, with females giving birth after 63 days, on average of live... Currently do not have any folders to save your paper to a mamal that belongs the. It does have small claws on its back feet, which are home to several favorable prey such by. Your degree them live in areas surrounding permanent bodies of water, with females giving birth after days! Variations in the predatory behaviour of the toes and the webbing on continent! Beds, which is in the process the near future with most animals, their lifespan captivity... The middle three on the continent dens, or Cape clawless otter shores or banks of otter! Have small claws on its back feet, which is in Central Africa a few hundred meters water... May occur during any season, with females giving birth after 63 days, create! For 30 days, just create an account and peat swamp forests, rice fields, lakes, streams sometimes! Age or education level, what animals first come to mind three square miles up. The world, one of two otter species that have a claw on every toe this...

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