Aonyx
congicus
Taxonomy
Status
Range
Habitat
Physical
Appearance
Lifestyle
Reproduction
Diet
Predators
Links
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum- Chordata
Subphylum- Vertebrata
Superclass- Tetrapoda
Class- Mammalia
Order- Carnivora
Family- Mustelidae
Subfamily- Lutrinae
Genus- Aonyx
Species- Aonyx congicus
CITES- Appendix 1
IUCN Red List- Endangered
U.S. Federal List- Endangered
It is thought that the major reasons for the decrease in numbers of the Congo clawless otter are due to habitat destruction and hunting for the fur trade, meat, and to cut down on competition with commercial fishing.
The Congo clawless otter is found in Central Africa between southeastern Nigeria and western Uganda in the lower Congo Basin. This includes southern Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Zaire, northeastern Angola, southwestern Uganda, Central African Republic, Burundi and Rwanda.
This species resides around wetlands, streams or ponds in the rainforests of Central Africa. Although most otters are considered to be mostly aquatic, the Congo clawless otter is thought to be more terrestrial.
The Congo clawless otter is dark brown in color which helps to camouflage it with its muddy surroundings. White tips of the hairs on the dorsal head and neck area give it a silvery look. The chest, nose, and ears are white. There is also a very distinguished patch of dark fur between the eye and the nose on each side of the face. The front feet have no claws or webbing. The back feet have very small claws and are only partially webbed. The Congo clawless otter is a larger species with a total length of 118 to 156 cm, with 40 to 59 cm of it being the tail. Adults usually weigh between 15 to 25 kg. The Congo clawless otter is very similar in appearance to the Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis). However, the Congo clawless otter has a more slender head and neck. Also, a less obvious distinguishing characteristic is the more deeply cusped molars in the Congo clawless otter.
Congo clawless otter (above, left) Cape clawless otter (above, right)
Forefoot (left) and hind foot (right) of Congo clawless otter pup
Not a lot is known about the behavior of the Congo clawless otter. They are mostly nocturnal and solitary. However, some family groups of this species have also been observed.
There is very little known about the mating and reproduction of this species. However, based on information of closely related species it is thought that Congo clawless otters have a monogamous relationship during mating periods and then return to a solitary life. Based on the same information it is thought that the average litter size is between 2 and 3 pups with a gestation period of about 60 to 64 days. Both males and females become sexually mature at 1 year of age.
Congo clawless otters are carnivores and exist on a diet of small vertebrates and invertebrates found along the shores of their habitat, including fish, frogs and mollusks. They obtain this diet by turning over rocks and digging in the mud for invertebrates and will also hunt and chase their prey.
A few animals that are thought to be predators of the Congo clawless otter are:
birds of prey
crocodiles
leopards
pythons
IOSF - International Otter Survival Fund
For more information contact the Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
Webpage created by Jennie White, Pensacola Junior College ZooTech student, Fall 2006